She was born c. 1778 into a noble (ali"i) family of Maui. Her father was Keʻeaumoku Pāpaʻiahiahi, a noble from Hawaiʻi Island. Her mother was Nāmāhānaʻi Kaleleokalani, the former consort of her half-brother the late king of Maui, Kamehameha Nui.
From her mother she was a member of the royal house of Maui.
Some sources call her Kaheiheimaile rather than Kaheiheimālie. "Mālie" means serene while the "maile" is the vine Alyxia olivaeformis. The second spelling seems to be older and more appropriate.
Her siblings included Hawaiʻi island Governor John Adams Kuakini, Queen Kaʻahumanu, Maui Governor George Cox Kahekili Keʻeaumoku II, and Lydia Namahana Piʻiowa
Her father became an advisor and friend to Kamehameha I, eventually becoming royal governor of Maui. First Kaheiheimālie married Prince Kalaʻimamahu, Chief Priest of ʻIo and Kāne.
She was part of the court of Kamehameha I that met George Vancouver during his expedition in 1794 and agreed to the first treaty with Great Britain. Her daughter Kamāmalu (c 1802–1824) married Liholiho and became Queen consort when Liholiho became King Kamehameha World War II She was known as Hoapili-wahine or "Mistress
Hoapili". She died on Maui, January 16, 1842 and was buried at Moku"ula.
She served as Governor of Maui 1840-1842 after her husband"s death, and was a founding member of the House of Nobles in 1841.
