[1] A member of the Takumasiva dynasty, she acceded to the throne on 5 December 1858,[1] a few weeks after the death of her brother Soane-Patita Vaimua Lavelua,[2] who chose her to succeed him.
[1] The Catholic mission played an important role in her nomination, with Jean-Claude Roux saying they "pushed [her] to the throne".
[3]: 69 Her coming to power revived conflicts between Catholics and Protestants, converted by Wesleyan missionaries (Methodists) from Tonga.
[1] She is one of four women to have held royal office in Uvea, along with Toifale, Amelia Tokagahahau Aliki and Aloisia Brial.
[1] She also fits among other queens of Polynesia, such as Salote Tupou III in Tonga (1918-1965), Liliʻuokalani in Hawaii (1891-1893) or Pōmare IV in Tahiti (1827-1877).