In 1898 with the death of Roko Eroni Loganimoce, Ratu Penaia Kadavulevu, Vunivalu of Bau, went to Lau and made Finau Sau ni Vanua and Tui Nayau ahead of Ratu Salesi Kinikinilau (Roko Eroni's son and Finau's rival for the title).
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.
The old chief's request was granted and so when he completed his education and returned to Fiji, he was installed by the Vusaratu chiefs (Roko Tui Viwa, Roko Tui Kiuva, Roko Tui Cautata) in a ceremony witnessed by Ratu Popi Seniloli (at the time Vunivalu of Bau), Roko Tui Namata, Roko Tui Veikau in s simple yaqona ceremony in the Vatanitawake.
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Presumably Dovi's older siblings would be in the line of succession for the superior title of Vunivalu of Bau.
From 1803 to 1829, during Ratu Naulivou's reign as Vunivalu of Bau, the islet kingdom reached the zenith of its power.
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Ratu Pope Seniloli the Vunivalu of Bau (1883–1936), in his sworn statement at the Native Lands Commission in 1933 for the Village of Lasakau asserted, Ai tokatoka ka liu ko Nacokula. Sa bula eso na kena kawa.
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The relationship between the Roko Tui Bau as sacred King and the Vunivalu of Bau as his warlord hence underwent a role inversion in the early nineteenth century.
The Lovoni people, being an independent kingdom with several strategic tributaries, ensured their role as mercenaries of war in the central Fijian province of Lomaiviti, which at the time of European contact, was undergoing a major power struggle between the Noble Houses of Verata and their ally and kin the House of the Roko Tui Bau and the rising power of the Vunivalu of Bau.
He was thus not only a potential contender for the title of Vunivalu of Bau, but vasulevu , from which came many of the great canoes on which Bau's naval might rested.
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Kamisese Kapaiwai Tuimacilai Mara (born between 1815 and 1820 - 8 June 1859), chiefly seafarer, and descendant of the Vunivalu of Bau.
In the late 1840s, the Vunivalu or ruler of Bau, Tanoa Visawaqa (died 1852) declared himself Tui Viti, which translates as "King of Fiji" or "paramount chief of Fiji".
This latter attribute would eventually attract the attention of one of the noble ladies of Bau, causing an illicit affair and leading to his eventual demise, for the lady was the Radini Levuka, wife of the Vunivalu or Paramount Chief of the Kubuna Confederacy.
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 he did not have the reserves of manpower like the Tui Cakau or Vunivalu of Bau he could never risk confrontation with his adversaries and the alternative was to maintain friendly relations over as wide a field as possible.
Ratu Tanoa Visawaqa was a Fijian Chieftain who held the title Vunivalu of Bau.
Vunivalu of Bau | Bau | Roko Tui Bau | ''Vunivalu'' or ruler of | Bau (island) | Bau-Bau | Bau Graves |
The son of the late Governor-General, Ratu Sir George Cakobau, who was also the Vunivalu of Bau (widely considered to be Fiji's most senior chiefly position).