Ratu Mara won fame by sailing his canoe to
Tonga, an act of unprecedented audacity for a Fijian seafarer. Returning to
Fiji with
Ma'afu in 1847, he finally fell out with
Ratu Cakobau and was forced to take refuge with
Qaraniqio of
Rewa. He allied with him and other chiefs, including
Koroi Ravulo of
Vusaradave,
Tui Levuka and Tavo of Wainikelei in Moala, whoom he used his influence to support his ventures among his kin such as the Wairiki War, and the Highland War in a formidable coalition dedicated to the destruction of
Ratu Cakobau. He waged guerilla campaigns against Ratu Cakobau until 1859 when he was gulled into surrendering himself in
Bau, only to be hanged the next day by order of his cousin, Ratu Cakobau. The wounds caused by the hanging of Ratu Mara were secretly nursed by his descendants, but it eventually surfaced during the time of his grandson,
Ratu Sir
Lala Sukuna when he removed himself and his younger brother, Ratu
Tiale Vuiyasawa and his sisters away from the Tui
Kaba Registration of Births (Vola ni Kawa Bula) to that of the
Vuanirewa Registration in
Lakeba,
Lau under their mother,
Adi Litiana Maopa, who was the sister of the
Tui Nayau,
Ratu Finau. ==References==