Enele Maʻafu

Photograph of Ma'afu in 1876.

His son Siale'ataongo, called Charles Ma'afu, on the right next to his cousin Adi Tupoutu'a.

Enele Ma'afu'otu'itonga, commonly known as Ma'afu, was a man of two kingdoms being traditionally a Tongan Prince and a self forged Fijian chief.

A Brief History

Enele Ma'afuotu'itonga was born in Tongatapu, Tonga, in about 1816, as the son of Aleamotu'a Tupou 'i Faletuipapai, 18th Tu'i Kanokupolu and his wife Hon Mele Moala Soakai.

Aleamotuʻa, Ma'afu's father (died November 18, 1845) (addressed as Tupou when he became Tu'i Kanokupolu, then baptized as Siosaia (Josiah) Tupou and later known as Tupou ‘i Fale Tui Papai, after the name of the area in which he was buried). Aleamotuʻa was the 18th Tu'i Kanokupolu of Tonga, the third lineage of Tongan Kings.

Aleamotuʻa is listed as a family of four and a child of Mumui - the 13th Tu’i Kanokupolu. His mother was Kaufusi, daughter of the first Fielakepa from the Ha’a Havea Lahi clan

In 1840 Ma'afu married Elenoa Ngataialupe Lutui from Vavau, with whom he had one child, Siale'ataongo, in Nukuʻalofa.

Ma'afu converted to Christianity in Nukualofa, Tonga in the early 1840s. In Wesleyan missionary John Thomas' papers, he described Ma'afu and 'his restless antics' as 'a new evil' and a 'fast ignorant vain young man'. With the passing of his father and the strengthening reign of his cousin Taufa'ahau, Ma'afu had to leave the 'ever tightening reign' of Nukualofa and seek more suitable horizons beyond Tonga. He supported the Missionaries from Tonga who were sent to Fiji by King Tupou I to spread the Christian message.

Ma'afu's arrival in Fiji in the early 1840s ranks among one of the most important events of the century with the birth of modern Tonga, the consolidation of leadership under King George Tupou 1 on 4 December 1845, and Ma'afu's acceptance into the Fijian Culture by his close connection to the Vuanirewa clan in Tubou, Lakeba.

While many historians have commented about the relationship between Taufa'ahau (later King George Tupou 1) and his cousin Ma'afu: - Aleamotu'a (Ma'afu's father), the 18th Tui Kanokupolu and Finau Ulukalala before him had both named the young Taufa'ahau, a level headed proven leader and already a devout Christian as their successor.

Ma'afu's skills in war and his attributes as a strategist, diplomat and administrator were clearly on display as he formed the greater Lau Confederacy as well as the Tovata Union with great efficiency never seen in Fiji before. These qualities are described in RA Derrick's A History of Fiji.

Ma'afu was able to win over the trust of the local leadership structure, set up a government system and governance process, raise tax and used land allocation on the basis of the recipients' ability to work the land and pay tax. His administrative skills were far superior and work well when compared to Cakobau's attempt to set up his own government as referenced in RA Derrick's A History of Fiji.

But it must be emphasized that in all available documents researched on Ma'afu's life - his success in Fiji was due mainly to his close relationship, bond and trust that he had developed with the Tui Nayau, Roko Taliai Tupou and the subsequent empowerment provided to him to lead his people in Lau.

In addition, he was well served by his war lords, Semisi Fifita and Wainiqolonibitu, feared warriors who campaigned in the West and East respectively and the many hundreds of Tongan warriors that had come under his command.

Clearly the Deed of Cession in 1874 and the subsequent infiltration of Fiji by the British as British Colonial Rule set in, had severely stifled his ventures. However, he participated in post colonial administration and was the first Roko Tui Lau after Cession based at Sawana, Lomaloma.

He retired to his home base in Loto'a in Sawana, Lomaloma and died 6 February 1881. He was buried among the great leaders of Lau at the Vatanitawake, the Sautabu on the chiefly village of Tubou on the Island of Lakeba.

The Beginnings of his Kingdom

Ma'afu'otu'itonga but known in Fiji as Enele (Henry) Ma'afu was born son of Aleamotu'a Tui Kanokupolu. Aleamotu'a and Taufa'ahau's (later King George 1) grandfather Tuku'aho were sons of Mumui. King George 1 sent Ma'afu to Fiji to organise and lead the Tongans there. This mission to Fiji also solved a potential rivalry for the throne. Ma'afu established himself at Lakeba as leader of the Tongan community in the Lau Islands in 1848. Aligning himself with the Tui Nayau, the Paramount Chief of the Lau Islands, he went on to conquer the Moala Islands and placed them under the Tui Nayau's authority.

In 1850, Enele Ma'afu gave the Tui Cakau his canoe Hiki Moe Faliki and in return the Tui Cakau gave the island of Vanua Balavu to Ma'afu. He went on to Vanuabalavu and took up residence at Loto'a in his village called Sawana, Lomaloma, after suppressing a religious war on the island. As referenced in R A Derrick's History of Fiji pp 128 'The presence at Lakeba of Tongan chiefs of high rank, supported and served by strong parties of their own people, formed an effective protection for the people of Lakeba against oppression of Bau and Somosomo'.

In 1853, Matuku was divided between two factions: one headed by Yaroi and the other by Qalikarua. Tui Yaroi was against Christianity and remained stubbornly against any forcible attempts by Lakeba to bring him within the fold. Tui Yaroi's traitorous son sided with Donumaibulu and Vuetasau and pressure mounted when Ma'afu and a large party of Tongans, Moala, Totoya and Lakeba traveled to Matuku under pretext of Lotu, but war had broken out. Tui Yaroi and his men defended their position with valour with heavy casualties suffered by Ma'afu and his men. The siege dragged on when further reinforcements arrived with a negotiated settlement via channel of kinship and custom. The garrison was in sore straits with an appeal for peace with honour presented by Tuilovoni on behalf of Tui Nayau and Tui Yaroi finally accepted. He was not defeated but accepted the customary approach from the Tui Nayau. He was taken to Lakeba and never set foot on Matuku again. His villages were ransacked and burnt. The Matuku people have never forgotten the losses inflicted on the party led by Ma'afu and Vuetasau and the poor treatment that their Chief and family encountered when they were shipped to Lakeba. This incident caused grave shock to Missionaries on wars being fought in the name of Lotu. It set the scene for Ma'afu's campaigns in Fiji as well as in Tonga where wars were fought to convert people to Christianity.

War and Diplomacy

When Seru Epenisa Cakobau, the Vunivalu, by then the Paramount Chief of Bau, made his first offer to cede Fiji to the United Kingdom in 1858, William Thomas Pritchard, the British Consul, warned Ma'afu - by now the most powerful chief in northern Fiji - that under British rule, further attempts to expand his power base would not be tolerated. Ma'afu shrewdly signed an agreement denying sovereignty over Fijians and claiming to be in the islands only to oversee the Tongan population. Following Britain's decision in 1862 not to annex Fiji, however, Ma'afu resumed his attempts to extend his rule. In 1867, he created the Tovata Confederacy, covering most of northern and eastern Fiji. This arrangement was more successful than the attempt by Cakobau to form his own government.

Ma'afu's influence in Fiji remained a constant threat to Cakobau who had to rely on blown in white settlers and their guns to wage war against other parts of Fiji and maintain his supremacy.

From 1848 to 1874, Ma'afu waged wars against heathens and protected Teachers and Missioneries in conducting their duties supported by his two lieutenants in Semisi Fifita and Wainiqolo. He maintained his claim, however, to be the overseer of the Tongan population, and when the Tui Nayau raised the Tongan flag over Lakeba, Ma'afu took control of the Lau archipelago on the basis that its Paramount Chief had declared it be Tongan territory, rather than Fijian.

Ma'afu was faced with a crisis in June 1868, when the Tongan government disclaimed all sovereignty over Fijian territory, including the Lau Islands. Ma'afu could no longer exercise authority over Lau as a Tongan Prince. Lauan chiefs met in Lakeba on February 1869, and granted Ma'afu the title of Tui Lau, or King of Lau. He was subsequently recognized as such by the chiefs of Cakaudrove and Bua in May 1869. Ma'afu later played a leading role in the cession of Fiji to the United Kingdom in 1874.

On May 6, 1990, the Queen of Tonga and her son King Tupou V visited Sawana, with Ratu Mara to celebrate his 70th birthday and to pay homage to the people of Sawana at Loto'a as the home base of Ma'afu. Ma'afu is well known and written in the History of Fiji and Tovata I&II that he opted for Sawana, Lomaloma in Vanuabalavu as his base and the Head Quarters of the new Chiefdom of Lau combining Yasayasa Moala, Lau and Somosomo Group under his command.

Sawana, A Tongan Village in Vanuabalavu was well described by the Lessins in their research book titled the Village of the Conquerors. This was Ma'afu's base where he and his people made their home in Fiji.

These are descendants of warriors who supported Ma'afu, all chosen to accompany him on his ventures to Fiji. It is logical to assume that it would have been impossible for one man alone to cast influence over half of Fiji without his warriors whose ancestors remain proud of their history and living on their village call Sawana. They are related, with common ancestors linking them back to Vavau, Ha'apai and Tongatapu.

Ma'afu left Onewai essentially unoccupied during his life as he respected the presence of the Tui Nayau and gave him space to retain command of his people in the Lau group which at that time excluded Yasayasa Moala and the Somosomo Group and concentrated his ventures using Loto'a in Sawana, Lomaloma as his base as referenced in pp 56 Tovata I&II by AC Reid.

Lakeba and the Vuanirewa people were generally weaker and were at the whim and influence of Cakobau and Tui Cakau driving them to poverty with the demands for levies and sacrifices in exchange for protection. Ma'afu's settling in Lakeba in 1848 saw the changing of this as he restores some respect back to the Tui Nayau. Ma'afu went on to become one of the most influential and powerful leaders of Fiji.

His installation as the Tui Lau in Lakeba in February 1869 and his assuming control of all Tongan land in Fiji saw his confirmation as a Fijian Chief. Three months later in 1869 at Sawana in Lomaloma, this was confirmed when the Chiefs of Cakaudrove, Bua and Lau installed him as Tui Lau and President for life of the Tovata Confederacy as referenced in John Spurnway's Hiki Mo e Faliki, The Journal of Pacific History, Vol 37, No 1,2002

Summary of Key Historical Events

While there was no Biography written about this great leader, the following references were identified as depicting the history of this famous Tongan Prince who made Fiji his home and became a well known and feared Fijian Chief with his title Tui Lau.

• Ref 1: A History of Fiji by RA Derrick gives account of Ma'afu's influence in Fiji
• Ref 2: Tovata I&II by AC Reid gives account of Ma'afu's influence in Lau
• Ref 3: Village of the Conquerors, Sawana: A Tongan Village in Fiji by Alexander Phillip Lessin and Phyllis June Lessin, Published by the Department of Anthropology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, 1970.

In addition the following reviews all correlate each other about Ma'afu's early relationship with the Missionaries, his use of the spread of Christianity to further his campaign for power, his ability to set up formal government processes and collection of taxes and his preference to have his base in Lomaloma on the Village of Sawana leaving the Tui Nayau to maintain his leadership over Lau in Tubou Lakeba

• Work by John Spurnway, Hiki Moe Faliki, Why Ma'afu Brought his Floor Mats to Fiji in 1847 - The Journal of Pacific History, Vol 37, No 1 2002
• Notes and Documents, An Indigenous Perspective Revisited, The Journal of Pacific History, Vol 39, No 2, 2004
• An Indigenous Perspective? Inside the mind of Ma'afu by John Spurnway
• The Wesleyans enter Fiji
• Mara, The Pacific Way Paper

The following summary of events represent key milestones and achievement of this great warrior.

• 1848: at the age of 32, Ma’afu arrived in Fiji and took up residence on Lakeba. Tupou Lasike had died and his twin brother Tupou Toutai both previously active in supporting Cakobau's campaign in Vanualevu returned to Tonga about the time Ma'afu arrived in Fiji – Reference 1 pp128 see also Journal of Pacific History Vol.37, No1, 2002, John Spurnway

• Tui Cakau called on Lakeba to visit Tui Nayau hoping to obtain some double hull canoes, the production of which was concentrated in Lau. Ma'afu was introduced to the Tui Cakau and bestowed his own canoe Hiki Moe Faliki upon the Tui Cakau

• Tui Cakau invited Ma'afu to join him in Cakaudrove. Ma'afu and some of his followers sailed back to Somosomo on the gift canoe with the Tui Cakau. On the way the Tui Cakau cemented his growing alliance with the Tongan Prince by declaring to Ma'afu, “I give you all the islands between Lakeba and Taveuni”. Ma’afu returned to Lakeba in 1851. Ref 3 pp12

• 1853: The Moala, Totoya and Matuku campaign commenced under the guise of Lotu with the Moala and Totoya brought into the fold of Lakeba but Matuku via Tui Yaroi and his men defended their position with valour, were not conquered by force but finally agreed to a negotiated peace with honour.

• 1854: On Easter Friday 1854, Maafu responded to the startling news to Rev Dr Lyth the resident minister on Lakeba, from Mataiasi Vave on Vanua Balavu of a multiple killing – reminiscent of St Bartholomews Day. Seventeen people were murdered in an apparent quarrel over distribution of turtle meat, within the Nakoro clan of Ravunisa. The aggrieved party from the Mataqali Naitasiri of the Ravunisa clan, approached relatives in Yaro in Mualevu, who with the cooperation of the Naturuku people, carried out the gruesome killings. Mataiasi Vave and the surviving Ravunisa and Rasau and their people sought refuge in Susui whilst Mataiasi Vave sent his request for assistance to Lakeba – Reference 1 pp129 see also Reference 2 pp 42 and Reference 3 pp 13/14.

• Ma’afu and Wainiqolo campaigned in Vanuabalavu in what has become known as the “Valu ni Lotu”, defeated the “heathens “ and on 3 June 1854 Rev Lyth’s diary states, Ma’afu and his men returned quite unexpectedly from Vanua Balavu and reported the war between the heathens and the Christians is ended in favour of the latter. Ma'afu returned to Lakeba with the murderers [The Naturuku people] to be captives for life, in Lakeba Ref 2 pp 43

• 1855: Ma’afu had acquired sovereignty over northern Lau and established Lomaloma as his base following his exchanges with Tui Cakau Tuikilakila Ref 1 pp131

This year also marked the Battle of Kaba with Cakobau in poor health and burdened by years of warfare was faced with certain defeat at the hands of his cousin Mara who had mobilised all heathen chiefs everywhere as sign of protest over Cakobau's conversion to Christianity. The Tongan Fleet of over 2000 warriors in 30 large canoes called at Lakeba where Ma'afu and his large followings joined it. On 3 April 1855, 2000 Tongans, 1000 Fijians moved on Kaba. The Tongans led by King Tupou I with Ma'afu and his warlords Wainiqolo and Semisi Fifita led the campaign. Warriors from Vava'u stormed the place and set fire to the houses as they attack with great dash and bravery ... with the Mara's men defeated before real attack commenced. The battle was won with Mara recorded as saying 'The man is a fool who fights with Tongans' as he ran through Cautata ... 'they are gods not men'... This account of events was recorded in Ref 1 pp 112 to 115.

• 1859: Ma’afu campaigned along the Macuata coast with battle against Ritova resulting in the dividing of Macuata into 2 divisions. Beqa was also occupied by the Tongans.

• 10 October 1860: Semisi Fifita (Ma’afu’s other Lieutenant who was Magistrate in Lomaloma from 1856) was campaigning in the West of Fiji and known for his brutality. He was sentenced by the Catholic French on the corvette Cornelie to hard labour in New Caledonia for beating up the Yasawans who had converted to Catholicism. Semisi campaigned in the West whilst Wainiqolo campaigned in the East: Ref 1 pp150

• July 1862: Ma’afu went for a visit to Tonga with Tui Bua to seek resolution about his campaign in Fiji with Tongan Parliament. During his absence, Wainiqolo waged war on Golea. Wainiqolo was shot dead on the beach at Wairiki and the Tongans were slaughtered.

• Wainiqolo had taken Tui Cakau prisoner when Golea was involved in an internal Cakaudrove campaign Ref 1 pp 153. It was an opportune time by Wainiqolo to initiate his campaign whilst Golea was involved in an internal struggle on Vanualevu

• Ma’afu never forgave Wainiqolo for the act that he did and removed all land allocated to him. (Historians saw this anger as confirmation that Ma’afu was not part of the Wainiqolo plot to conquer Tui Cakau while he was away in Tonga.)

• The unprovoked attack by Wainiqolo was regarded by the Tui Cakau as cancelling his obligation to respect the right of Ma’afu to islands which had been formerly part of Cakaudrove chiefdom. Golea proceeded to resell the whole of Vanuabalavu to Europeans.

• 3 February 1865: A Court of Arbitration was convened by British Consul Jones who handed down the Court's decision that Ma’afu was the lawful owner of Vanuabalavu and associated islands. Ma’afu immediately executed an affidavit the following day to the effect that Vanuabalavu and all the other lands given to him … Ref 2, pp 51

• 1867: Lau, Cakaudrove and Bua united as the Confederation of North and East. Tui Cakau was chosen as interim leader Ref 1 pp161. Macuata remained out of the fold

• 15 February 1869: Tui Nayau and other chiefs of Lau witnessed the islands that belonged to Tonga were now under Ma’afu and combined with the islands under Tui Nayau to be now under one Chiefdom to be called Chiefdom of Lau of which Ma’afu was executive head with title Tui Lau Ref 1 pp 187 and Ref 2 pp53

• Ma’afu severed ties with Tonga, and he and his people formally became Fijians with a Fijian Title of Tui Lau,

• This act essentially combined The Exploring Islands (Vanuabalavu), Southern Lau (Kingdom of Lakeba) and Yasayasa Moala (Moala Group) under the new Chiefdom of Lau Ref 1 pp187

• Lomaloma (Loto'a in Sawana Village) was the head quarters of Lau under Tui Lau, Ma’afu Ref 1 pp188. See also TRY Lakeba

• The three documents: TRY Qala, TRY Buca and TRY Naturuku detail the origins of these people Ref 2 pp40

• TRY Qala: The head of this Yavusa, the [Ravunisa] was brought from Narocivo where he had been exiled by the Senimoli clan of Mualevu. There is a disconnect here as the traditional head of the Yavusa Qala was the Tui Lomaloma but certain Tokatoka within the Yavusa opted for this exiled young chief who had sought refuge at Narocivo and was installed as the Ravunisa to be head of the Yavusa Qala. This disagreement was further vented by the rival units of Qala resulting in the Valu ni Lotu, the slaying of 17 people and the survivors including the Ravunisa who sought refuge in Susui under Mataiasi Vave's protection. It all resulted from the Mataqali Nadawavula's killing of turtles and the Mataqali Naitasiri angered for not having a share in the turtle meat that instigated the murders. The place in which the act took place is now called Motukavonu - residence of the Senico clan.

• TRY Buca: The head of this Yavusa, the [Rasau] was exiled from Bau and travelled along Vanualevu, Somosomo and accidentally landed at Lomaloma. Was welcomed by the resident people of the Naturuku and offered place to stay and people selected as their servants

• TRY Naturuku – came from Vanualevu and landed on the northern part of Vanuabalavu and travelled down to where they finally settled. No village is subservient to the Naturuku.

These three Yavusas settled at their new village called Delainakorolevu, short for Nakoro within the greater settlement of Lomaloma. They were all of equal standing within their village of Nakoro

• But all 3 Yavusas left in no doubt about who was in charge with all three surrendering their land and their people as inducement for Ma’afu to conquer Mualevu Ref 2 pp 43

• May/June 1869: The Chiefs of the Tovata met at Loto'a in Sawana, Lomaloma and held their second assembly where Ma’afu was recognised as Tui Lau Ref 2 pp 55

• Ma’afu’s transition as a Chief in Fiji and severing his ties with Tonga was complete. Ma’afu’s process of managing land was described in Ref 1 pp 188 and Ref 2 pp 53

• The head quarters of the Tui Lau at Loto’a in Sawana, Lomaloma as oppose to Onetale in Lakeba Ref 2 pp56

• Ma’afu as Tui Lau selects the Governor of Moala Ref 2 pp56

• 1871: Ma’afu retained the title of President for Life of the Tovata Confederacy Ref 2, pp59

• 10 October 1874: Ma’afu attended with other chiefs of Fiji (at 2pm) the signing of the Deed of Cession. Ma'afu was the only chief to sign in his own hand writing his name on the original Deed. Obviously the other Chiefs have not had formal education and were unable to read and write

• Ma’afu’s chiefly prerogative of land allocation and ownership in Lau and applies to all Fijian Chiefs all over the rest of Fiji for that matter - passed to the Crown by virtue of the Deed of Cession

• 1875: Ma’afu was made Roko Tui Lau by the new British Administration. He was based in Loto'a, Sawana, Lomaloma following Deed of Cession.

• May 1877: Rev Joeli Pulu one of the five missionaries sent to Fiji by King Tupou I died in Bau after serving as Ratu Cakobau’s minister and was buried at Viwa beside his friend John Hunt.

• 1880: Ma’afu’s testimony to the Lands Commission refers to statement ‘It appears that allotment did not convey absolute title. What Ma’afu granted he could take away’, Ref 2 pp 54

• 1880: Council of Chiefs meeting at Mualevu chaired by Governor Sir William Des Veaux. At that meeting Ma’afu confirmed his need of people to work the land in lieu of being relocated elsewhere. There was move by Tui Cakau to take re settle his people back to Cakaudrove but Ma'afu confirmed his desire that the land and people are connected and he needs them to work the land. See also TRY (Yavusa Tonga)

• 6 February 1881: Ma’afu died and was laid in state on his war canoe at Loto'a for several months before taken to Tubou for burial Ref 3 pp 100

The people of Sawana finally prepared his war canoe and sailed his body to Tubou where he was buried with other great leaders of Lau at the Vatanitawake, the Sau Tabu as referenced in Mara, Pacific Way Paper

• No Tui Lau was chosen to succeeded Ma’afu for over half a century with all rights of the position assumed by the Tui Nayau for the time being

• 1903: Yavusa Tonga was legally constituted by the NLC Ref 3 pp 153

• Ratu Sukuna the second Tui Lau was selected and installed by the Yavusa Tonga in 1938 when he was stationed at Lomaloma as Chief Assistance of NLC. He died in 1958 and the title of Tui Lau was vacant until Ratu Mara was installed in 1963 in Loto'a on the village of Sawana as the third Tui Lau. The title remains vacant today and the Yavusa Tonga - the descendants of the warriors that accompany Ma'afu to Fiji - people who were connected to him, shared the same faith and belief, now ponder the 'who' in the current generation of 'liga kaukaua' will meet their criteria as the next Tui Lau.

• In 1969 to commemorate the 100 years of his confirmation as a Fijian Chief and his Title Tui Lau and President of the Tovata Confederacy for life, Ratu Mara and the Yavusa Toga installed a monument at Loto'a in Sawana. The plaque at the very bottom reads 'Ta e To'a Tu e To'a'. In Fijian is means 'Bale e dua na Qaqa, Tucake tale e dua na Qaqa' and in English 'When a Warrior Falls, Another Warrior Rises'

SUMMARY

From his early childhood following the installation of his father Aleamotu'a as the 18th Tui Kanokupolu, his conversion to Christianity when his father was baptised and the advent of Europeans in the South Pacific were periods of upheaval and changes. He arrived in Fiji in his twenties and with the support of his relative the Tui Nayau, Roko Taliai Tupou he gathered authority over Lau and set up his base at Sawana, Lomaloma in Vanua Balavu. He became allies with Bua and Cakaudrove and conquered Macuata by a divide and conquer strategy. He also campaigned over in the West but lost influence when his warlord Semisi Fifita was tried and sent to New Caledonia for hard labor by the French. Despite the interference by the British consul and commanders of British warships - he united all of Northern and Eastern Fiji into a well administered government process with him as Leader of the Tovata for life. He had a good chance of overthrowing Cakobau and extending his power to the New Hebrides as described in John Spurnway's reviews - but was frustrated by outside interference.

The Deed of Cession put an end to his campaigns and although he participated in the conversion of Fiji to a Colony of the British Empire as first Roko Tui Lau - he retired to his beloved home at Loto'a in Sawana, Lomaloma Vanua Balavu, Lau.

He passed away on the 6th of February 1881 and confirming for ever his significance in Lau - his body was placed on his war canoe and sailed by his people of Sawana from Vanuabalavu to Tubou, Lakeba where he was buried at the Vatanitawake, the Sau Tabu where all great leaders of Lau are laid to rest as reference in Mara, The Pacific Way paper.

The following is an extract from the book History of Fiji by R A Derrick pp 131 and captures the character of this great leader:

'Outstanding as Ma'afu's skills in war undoubtedly was, his real genius lay rather in statecraft, diplomacy and administration.', ' It is not too much to claim that he was one of the ablest chiefs the Pacific had produced during the nineteenth century, and worthy to be compared with Kamehameha the Great, who, a generation before, had unified Hawaii and founded its dynasty'

References

• A History of the Pacific Islands: Passages Through Tropical Time - Page 142 - by Deryck Scarr - 2001 - 323 pages
• Frommer's South Pacific - Page 229 - by Bill Goodwin - Travel - 2004 - 480 pages
• The Pacific Islands: An Encyclopedia - Page 238 - by Brij V. Lal, Kate Fortune - History - 2000 - 664 pages
• The Cambridge History of the Pacific Islanders - Page 176 - by Donald Denoon, Malama Meleisea, Stewart Firth, and Jocelyn Linnekin - 2004
• Ma'afu: the making of the Tui Lau - by John Spurway - 2001 - 313 pages - Thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy of the Australian National University
• A History of Fiji: by RA Derrick gives account of Ma'afu's influence in Fiji
• Tovata I&II: by AC Reid gives account of Ma'afu's influence in Lau
• Village of the Conquerors, Sawana: A Tongan Village in Fiji: by Alexander Phillip Lessin and Phyllis June Lessin, Publishded by the Department of Anthropology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, 1970.