The earliest oral records suggest that the progenitor of the leading family of Nayau stemmed from Naosara, celebrated chief who had won the infamous Cici Turaga, but was not accepted by his older brothers and relatives as he was the youngest in that race.
It was during this exile on Nayau when Rasolo, Niumataiwalu's son set up his foundations near a rewa (Cerbera manghas) tree.
He and his brother Matawalu then lead an army with supporting Lakeba forces which routed and expelled Codro and the Levuka people.
This point takes a dramatic and dark turn in the history of the Vuanirewa as Malani, Rasolo's son concerned with the anti-Tongan attitude of his uncle and fear for his mother's people well-being, took the opportunity of Dranivia's expulsion to lead a coup that lead to kin slaying and the death of Matawalu.
[4] Matawalu's death again heralded Dranivia's return, but his attempt at taking Lakeba was thwarted, with the support of Malani's Nayau relative Delailoa, on whom he bestowed the name Lagonilakeba in gratitude.
He belonged to the noble household Matailakeba and his son, Ratu Finau Mara is the current heir to this title.
[6] Although there was an initial speculation that the title might be taken up by a member of the noble household Vatuwaqa, this has since been refuted with the Vuanirewa elders having confirmed Finau's candidacy in 2005.