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Ratu Tanoa Visawaqa (pronounced [βisaːˈɰaːŋɡa]) (died on 8 December 1852) was a Fijian Chieftain who held the title 5th Vunivalu of Bau. With Adi Savusavu, one of his nine wives, he was the father of Ratu Seru Epenisa Cakobau, who succeeded in unifying Fiji with the help from British missionaries and the crown into forming the contemporary Fiji today.

Naulivou Ramatenikutu, the current Vunivalu of Bau and Visawaqa's brother, died in a conflict at Bau in 1832. Visawaqa succeeded him as the 5th Vunivalu.^[1] Ratu Mara, Seru Tanoa, and other leaders in Bau overthrew Visawaqa in 1832, and he fled to Somosomo, the capital of Cakaudrove. Visawaqa, with the help of his 20-year old son son Seru Epenisa Cakobau, reclaimed power in 1837. According to legend Seru adopted the name Cakobau in honour of this victory.^[2]

Alfred Thomas Agate created a portrait of Visawaqa. This portrait happened to be one of the first depictions of the black-lip pearl oyster.^[3]

In the 1830s, the captain of the French ship L'Aimable Joséphine agreed to help rebels attack Visawaqa at Somosomo. However, this force was unable to breach Visawaqa's fortifications.^[4]

Visawaqa retained his power as Vunivalu, but his son Cakobau was the de facto ruler. Cakobau was in charge of Bau's trade negotiations and led it in war.^[2] Visawaqa died in 1852,^[5] and was succeeded by Cakobau as the 6th Vunivalu in 1852. Cakobau later formed the Kingdom of Fiji in the 1870s.^[1]

Visawaqa married Adi Talatoka.^[6] He was the father of Loaloadravu Tubuanakoro and Cakobau.^[1]

• http://www.uq.net.au/~zzhsoszy/states/fiji/vunivalu.html
• Museum of Victoria with picture of and reference to Ratu Tanoa Visawaqa Archived 2007-09-30 at the Wayback Machine