Edward Cakobau

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Ratu Sir Edward Tuivanuavou Tugi Cakobau (1908 - 1973) was a Fijian chief and statesman, who played a major role in Fijian politics in the years that preceded and followed independence in 1970. As Minister for Labour in the first post-independence government, Cakobau had to contend with a docker's strike for a 31 percent pay rise, at the port of Suva in May 1971.

He was born on December 21, 1908 as the son of King George Tupou II of Tonga and his Fijian "trial wife", Adi Litia Cakobau, who was a granddaughter of Seru Epenisa Cakobau, the King who forged the first unified Fijian state in 1871, before ceding the islands to the United Kingdom in 1874. Cakobau was a half-brother of Tonga's Queen Salote Tupou III.

He was educated at New Zealand's Wanganui Collegiate high school. After working as a schoolteacher, Cakobau commanded the Fiji Battalion in World War II, and was awarded the Military Cross. When Fiji became independent in 1970, Cakobau was knighted, becoming a Knight Commander of the British Empire (KBE).

Cakobau had four sons. The eldest son, Ratu Viliame Dreunimisimisi (1937 - 2000) was responsible for the first distillery in the South Pacific and was a former Minister for Tourism and Agriculture. In 1993, he joined six other Cabinet Ministers in bringing down the government by voting against the budget. The second son, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau has had a distinguished career in the military, diplomatic service, and politics, serving from 2001 to 2005 as Speaker of the House of Representatives. Another son, Ratu Tu'uakitau Cokanauto has been also been a Cabinet Minister. (The discrepancy of last names is due to the widespread nonuse of surnames in Fiji, especially in Cakobau's time. See Fijian naming conventions for details).