Olaf Frederick Nelson another exiled leader of the Mau movement in the 1920s, was born in Safune.

His actions helped lead to the anti-imperialistic Mau movement, stemming from perceived racism and a belief that the marriage law promoted anti-Christian promiscuity.

The Mau movement in particular was agitating for self-determination and employed tactics of civil disobedience as a means of opposing the New Zealand administration.

The Mau movement eventually led to the political independence of Samoa in 1962.

The group still carries the message of the Mau movement as their theme.

In 1928, the colonial administration exiled Nelson to New Zealand for his leadership in the Mau movement.

From 1908, with the establishment of the Mau movement ("opinion movement"), Western Samoans began to assert their claim to independence.

The Mau movement gained momentum with Samoa's royal leaders becoming more visible in supporting the peoples movement but strongly opposed violence.

By the late 1920s, the Mau movement had gathered widespread national support under the New Zealand administration which followed from colonial rule by Germany.

After Lauaki's death and by the late 1920s, the Mau movement had gathered widespread support in Samoa.