Kapiʻolani Napelakapuokakaʻe was born in Hilo to High Chief Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole of Hilo and High Chiefess Kinoiki Kekaulike, the daughter of the Kauaʻi King Kaumualiʻi. She married David Kalākaua in 1863 and became queen consort in 1874, when he became the king.