Born on July 27, 1794. She was the only child of Chief Kalaʻimamahu (half-brother of Kamehameha I) and her mother Kalakua Kaheiheimalie. She was hānai to her grandparents Namahana and Ke’eaumoku.

In 1809 she married Kamehameha I. When Kamehameha I died in 1819 she gave herself the name Auhea in memory of her first husband. She would later marry her cousin Liholiho. She had no children from her first two marriages. In 1821 was given by Kamehameha II to Charles Kana’ina on Kauaʻi in marriage. Together, Kekāuluohi gave birth to a son January 31, 1835.  William Charles, would become King Lunalilo in 1873. 

Kekāuluohi succeeded her half-sister Kīna‘u as Kuhina Nui on April 5, 1839, taking the name Kaʻahumanu III. Kekāuluohi was a co-signer with Kamehameha III of Hawai‘i’s first Constitution in 1840, which provided for an elected representative body, allowing the common people a place within their government.  The constitution also stated for the first time, the responsibilities and authority of the Kuhina Nui. In these responsibilities she signed, with the king, all official documents; conducted all executive business affecting the Crown; received and transferred government lands; and served as special Councilor to the king, with exclusive veto power over his decisions. Also at this time Kekāuluohi also held the title of Premier or Prime Minister.

While  Kekāuluohi held title there were the threats to Hawaiian sovereignty by the French and English.  The French threatened war if Kamehameha III did not provide special privileges to the Catholic missionaries, repeal liquor laws, and grant generous concessions to French citizens in Hawai‘i.  In 1843, the temporary loss of Hawaiian sovereignty, Lā Hoʻihoʻi Eā, when Lord George Paulet intervened and took possession of the Hawaiian Islands on behalf of the King of England. 

Kekāuluohi died of influenza at Pohukaina, Honolulu, June 7, 1845. The Pohukaina Tomb, located on grounds of ʻIolani Palace, held her remains, Kekāuluohi was not amongst those transported in 1865 to the newly constructed Royal Mausoleum at Mauna ʻAla. Lunalilo refused to bury his mother at the Royal Mausoleum and arranged for her remains to be buried at sea.

As Nā Wahine o Kekāuluohi, we seek to hold the roles and leadership shown by our namesake of and for our lāhui. Understanding that in our time, we may come to face challenges and triumphs of our own. Yet we know that our decisions emulate virtuous women whom have given so much for us.