Dranivia was an 18th-century Lauan chief and noble of the Vuanirewa dynasty. He was the third son of Uluilakeba I and last recorded member of the noble household, Naivi, to hold the title Roko Sau of the Lau Islands. He is referred to as an usurper and often oral history does not include hims as a Roko Sau. He is said to have snatched the chieftainship during the absence of his uncle Matawalu from Lakeba, and without the consent of the Vuanirewa. On hearing of his nephew's treachery, Matawalu returned from Bau and reasserted his authority, while Dranivia was touring the Southern Lau islands. Dranivia immediately returned to Lakeba which precipitated in kin slaying amongst the Vuanirewa. Dranivia was defeated and he fled with his supporters to Nayau and establishing the village of Liku.
The Vuanirewa is the ruling tribe (yavusa) of the Lau Islands, a scattered group of more than a hundred islands and reefs along the eastern edge of Fiji.
Uluilakeba was the eldest son of Niumataiwalu. He did not succeed to his fathers title, first since his father was not known to have been installed to the title of either Tui Nayau or Sau ni Vanua ko Lau, second in the test of feat that had ensued to select the candidate for the title of Tui Nayau he was known to have been one of the two sons of Niumataiwalu who had backed down from the unnerving jump that was put to them by the Bete. In that test of feat it was said as related orally that he as an excuse to allay any possible accusation of cowardice on his part said that since he was the eldest his claim to the title was already established by birthright and thence there was no need for him to prove himself. Rasolo then on the account of his elder brothers excuse, the second eldest of the three then took up the challenge, after Matawalu the youngest had also surrendered up any idea of contesting.
Sau Mai Kedekede now more commonly referred to as Sau ni Vanua ko Lau is one of the preeminent titles held by the Paramount Chief of the Lau Islands in Fiji.
It is recorded that Dranivia's aspiration for power does not end here. Matawalu himself was slain on Lakeba by his other nephew Malani, son of Rasolo. On hearing this Dranivia again raised an army and attempted to seize Lakeba again. His attempt was thwarted however as Malani's relative, a son of Delailoa residing on Nayau, warned him of Dranivia's impending plans. This information enabled Malani to crush Dranivia's forces and removed him from any further rebellions. It was due to the subduing of Dranivia, head the elder noble house of Naivi, by the younger noble households of Matailakeba (Malani) and Vatuwaqa (Taliai Tupou) that has completely eliminated any members of Naivi, the right to contest for the title of Tui Nayau to this day.
Roko Malani (1754–1833) was the eldest son of Rasolo, the first Tui Nayau, and of Laufitu, a high-ranking lady of Totoya and Tongan descent. He succeeded to the title Roko Sau, after engineering a successful coup d'état and slaying his uncle, Matawalu, the fourth Roko Sau, in battle. This kin slaying was the result of the latter's dislike and plan to expel Tongan settlers from Lakeba. As Roko Malani was half Tongan, his hand was forced to remove his uncle from power and eliminate his followers as an effective force on the island. Roko Malani was later installed as Tui Nayau, and thus become the second holder of this title.
Rasolo was a Fijian High Chief.
Delailoa was a Fijian High Chief.
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Ratu Wilisoni Tuiketei Malani was a Fijian chief, medical doctor, and politician. He was the Gonesau, the Paramount Chief of the Nakorotubu district in Ra Province in the northern western part of Viti Levu. Malani and his elder brother, Ratu Meli Salabogi (3) MBE were from the elder lineage of the 1st born son of Roko Tui Bau & Tui Viti - Vueti, called Nadurucoko
Tu’i Nayau is the title held by the paramount chief of the Lau Islands in Fiji and is synonymous with the title holders over lordship of these islands. When translated, Tu’i Nayau means "Lord of Nayau", an island north of Lakeba, the latter accepted by many to be the chief island in the Lauan archipelago. Prior to being installed as Tu’i Nayau, the claimant must first be confirmed upon the decision of the noble households making up the Vuanirewa clan and then installed Sau or High Chief of Lau. Not every Sau has been installed Tu’i Nayau.
Niumataiwalu was a Verata high chief who was then the leader of the Vuanirewa clan in Lau. The name Niumataiwalu, translated as 'I came first at Walu beach'. He was the father of Uluilakeba 1 and named after his grandfather-Tuivanuakula or Tunaosara for winning the leadership race competition among Rokomautu's seventeen (17) grandchildren at Walu beach, Verata.
Laufitu was a Fijian chiefess.
Viliame (William) Vuetasau (c.1820-1857) was the son of Malani, the seventh Roko Sau of Lau and second Tui Nayau and Ciri of Taqalevu. During the reign of his Uncle Taliai Tupou, third Tui Nayau, he was considered heir to the title. He was the first of his noble line to be given a western name, William, after Willam Cary, survivor of the Nantucket whaling ship Oeno that was wrecked in the Lau Islands in 1825. William Cary was rescued by a brother of Malani, who in time became close friends with Malani himself, who named his son after the New Englander, demonstrating his attachment to the shipwrecked sailor.
Matawalu was a Fijian chief. He was the son of Niumataiwalu, first Roko Sau of Lau, and Uma of Nukunuku. He became the fourth Roko Sau, ruler of the Lau Islands, after the death of his brother Rasolo, but never succeeded to the title Tui Nayau. He had been similarly exiled to Nayau like Rasolo by his elder brother Uluilakeba I. When Uluilakeba I was killed by invading Bauan forces, he later lead the counter invading force for his brother Rasolo at the request of the Lakeba people. It is said that he despised the Tongans, his sister-in-law Laufitu's people and their growing influence in Lakeba. On succeeding Rasolo he removed himself to self exile on Bau Island.
Ratu Alifereti Finau was the eleventh Roko Sau of Lau and the fifth Tui Nayau. He was a member of the noble household Matailakeba.
Toki Soroaqali was a Lauan chief and member of the noble dynasty of Vuanirewa in Fiji, active in the late 1700s and early 1800s.
Roko Taliai Tupou (17??-1875) was a Fijian nobleman. He is considered to be the progenitor of the noble household Vatuwaqa in the chiefly Vuanirewa clan and as such, was the first member of this noble household to hold the title Tui Nayau. His reign marked the growth of Christianity in Lau and the slow expansion of Tongan ambitions in Fiji, led by Enele Ma'afu. As this period marked increasing contact with Europeans, records from this point forward in regard to the history of Lau are well documented.
Roko is a title of chiefly rank, specifically from the Lau Islands of Fiji. Its equivalent from the Kubuna Confederacy is the Bauan form of Ratu and Ro from parts of the Burebasaga Confederacy. This title was widely used among members of the chiefly Vuanirewa clan up to the mid 19th century. Increasing inte marriage among the chiefly households of Lakeba and Bau, thereafter, saw the increasing use of Ratu and Adi by members of the Vuanirewa dynasty. The current heir to the Tui Nayau title, Finau Mara, uses the Baun title Ratu instead of Roko. This is true for all of his siblings apart from his younger brother Tevita Uluilakeba Mara, who is generally known as Roko Ului.
Kamisese Kapaiwai Tuimacilai Mara, chiefly seafarer, and descendant of the Vunivalu of Bau.
Kalouyalewa was a Fijian High Chief.
Nayau is an island of Fiji, a member of the Lau archipelago. Nearby cities: Suva; Nuku'Alofa;
Adi Lalaciwa was a Fijian chiefess and member of the Vuanirewa dynasty on the Lau islands of Fiji.
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