Tui Lau
| Nobility of Fiji |
|---|
| Titles |
| Institutions |
| Confederacies |
| Rotuman Traditional Leadership |
Tui Lau is a Fijian chiefly title of recent history which was created by the Vuanirewa Clan of Lakeba with the endorsement of Tui Nayau during the time of Ma'afu and his conquests.
A Brief History
Ma'afu was disclaimed as a Tongan Prince by his cousin King George Tupou I. Since the Vuanirewa Clan of the Lau Islands considered Ma'afu as their own, they therefore bestowed him the title as the first Tui Lau.
The title was later revived in 1938 by the Vuanirewa Clan and bestowed to Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna upon the approval and support of the Tui Nayau, Ratu Tevita Uluiilakeba.
After the passing of Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna, Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba bestowed the title of Tui Lau on his eldest son, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara.
The title remained vacant following Ratu Sir Kamisese’s death in 2004.
On 10 July 2025, his youngest son, Ratu Tevita Lutunauga Kapaiwai Uluilakeba Mara, was officially coronated at the Church and traditionally installed as Tui Lau with the support of the Vuanirewa Household. He is the first to be traditionally installed to the title.
This followed his official church coronation and traditional installation in Nayau as Tui Nayau and Sau ni Vanua ko Lau at Lakeba.
Recent history
Endorsed by the Vuanirewa Household, Ratu Tevita Lutunauga Kapaiwai Uluilakeba Mara became the 4th Tui Lau and the first to be officially coronated at the Church and traditionally installed — a decision later communicated to the Yavusa Toga of Sawana by the Vuanirewa Household.
Tui Lau Chart of title holders
| Order | Tui Lau | Reigned | Lived |
| 1. | Enele Ma'afu | 1869–1881 | 1816–1881 |
| 2. | Ratu Sir Josefa Lalabalavu Vana'ali'ali Sukuna | 1938–1958 | 1888–1958 |
| 3. | Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara | 1963–2004 | 1920–2004 |
| 4. | Ratu Tevita Kapaiwai Uluilakeba Mara | 2025–Present | TBA |