Not based on an earlier song- George S. Kanahele, 1979, "Hawaiian Music and Musicians," Univ. Hawai'i Press, pp. 210-211, only mentions later parodies such as Andy Williams "Hawaiian Wedding Song."

"Ke Kali Nei Au" was written by King in 1925 for his operetta, Prince of Hawai'i, first performed at the Liberty Theatre in Honolulu, May 4, 1925. The production featured 24 songs, all composed by King, although some predated the operetta. Hits were "Ke Kali Nei Au" and "Ku'u Leialoha." In 1926, the operetta, with largely original Hawaiian cast, was presented in Los Angeles and San Francisco. It was revived once in 1958. Above reference, pp. 305-306.