Keoua-nui's father, Keʻeaumokunui and his brother Kalaninuiʻiamamao were the sons of King Keawe (Keaweikekahialiʻiokamoku) of the Hawaiʻi island.  Kalakaua, Liliʻuokalani and James Kaliokalani are the direct descendants of Kalaninuiʻiamamao as well as being descended from Heulu and from Kameʻeiamoku who is seen on the right side of the coat of arms.  For this reason Kamehameha III officially proclaimed these three royal house members to be eligible to the throne and was groomed at the Chiefs Children's School to be rulers.   Upon the second time that the throne was left vacant, Kalakaua was elected to be king under the constitutional law.   King Kalakaua's heir & successor was his sister Liliʻuokalani who was dethroned by revolution in 1893.  The line of succession ended after Princess Kaʻiulani's death in 1899, the queen lived in retirement until her death in 1917. 

​

At this time, the hereditary head of the royal house and the only surviving royal member eligible to rule is her cousin, Princess Elizabeth Kekaʻaniau Laʻanui, great grandaughter of Keoua-nui.

​