Biography.guide
Home › People › Vuetasau
Portrait of Vuetasau

Vuetasau

d. 1857

Fijian chief

Don't just read it — keep itBiographies to ownE-book · Audio · Video From $7 →

About Vuetasau

Viliame (William) Vuetasau (c.1820-1857) was a Fijian explorer who was the son of Roko 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.

Vuetasau was instrumental in strengthening the hold of Christianity in Lakeba, and thereafter the rest of Lau. On the arrival of Christian missionaries William Cross and David Cargill on Lakeba in 1835, an announcement of their mission to Taliai Tupou was made and accordingly they were conducted to Matailakeba, his heirs' house, while the purpose of their coming was once again explained. Vuetasau approved and Taliai Tupou in turn followed suit and the missionaries were allowed to stay and establish a church.

Vuetasau never succeeded to his uncles title as he drowned in 1857 whilst in an expedition with Tongan Chief Enele Ma'afu. His eldest son Roko Josateki Malani II was a Seafarer and his second son Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba II held the title of Tui Nayau temporarily and was never given the title of the Sau ni Vanua, Roko Malani II but would similarly like his father share a premature death never succeeding to the title of Tui Nayau.

Biography shop

Don’t just read it —
keep it.

Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.

  • E-book
  • Audio
  • Video
Browse the shop — from $7

Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free

Important facts

Died
1857

Frequently asked questions

Who was Vuetasau?

Fijian chief

When did Vuetasau die?

Vuetasau died in 1857.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Vuetasau

· Wikidata: Q7943340

· DBpedia: Vuetasau

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Vuetasau. https://biography.guide/vuetasau/

MLA: "Vuetasau." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/vuetasau/.

Chicago: "Vuetasau." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/vuetasau/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Page generated 2026-09-27 05:17 UTC