He was succeeded as Governor-General by Ratu Sir George Cakobau, a patrilineal descendant of King Seru Epenisa Cakobau, who had ceded Fiji to the United Kingdom in 1874.
Cakobau retained his position as Fiji's second most senior chief the title of Vunivalu of Bau,and formally ceded the highest and most precedent Chiefly title of Tui Viti or Paramount Chief of Fiji to the person of Her Majesty Queen Victoria which is currently held by her descendant Elizabeth II.
Seru Epenisa Cakobau | George Cakobau | Abba Seru Gwangul | ''Ratu'' Seru Epenisa Cakobau | Epenisa Cakobau |
The son of the late Ratu Sir George Cakobau (1912–1989), the former Vunivalu of Bau (Paramount Chief of Kubuna (1957–1989) and Governor-General of Fiji (1983-1983), he is also a great-great grandson of Seru Epenisa Cakobau, the warlord who established the first unified Fijian Kingdom in 1871 and ceded it to the United Kingdom in 1874.
At the southern end of the town lies the village of Nasova, where the King Seru Epenisa Cakobau signed the Deed of Cession, ceding the islands to Great Britain on 10 October 1874.
Williams held Cakobau, the Vunivalu (Paramount Chief) of Bau and self-proclaimed Tui Viti (King of Fiji) responsible for the looting, and, supported by the United States Navy, demanded US$43,531 in compensation, to cover Williams' losses, valued at US$5000, and claims by other settlers.
In 1871, Ratu Seru Epenisa Cakobau, the Vunivalu (Warlord/Paramount Chief) of Bau, succeeded in unifying the previously warring tribes throughout the Fiji Islands by establishing the Kingdom of Viti, with the support of foreigners.
They are the heirs of Seru Epenisa Cakobau, the Vunivalu of Bau or Tui Levuka (Paramount Chief of Bau, on the eastern side of Viti Levu, Fiji's most populous island), who was the first chief to unite the entire country under his authority in 1871, when he was proclaimed Tui Viti (King of Fiji).
As the animosity intensified, Ratu Tanoa was forced into exile, firstly on Koro Island and then in Somosomo on Taveuni, where he remained until his son, Ratu Seru Cakobau led a coup in 1837, reinstalling his father as Vunivalu until his death in 1852, whereupon Cakobau inherited the title.