So this thread got me thinking about how I string the Nui, as there's no doubt my setup is high tension. If I had a 23" guitar I would pop high tension strings on it and tune to standard tuning. In that case, high tension DGBE guitar strings should be perfect on the Nui.
The living water B and E essentially are high tension guitar B and E (I checked their gauges against guitar strings and they match), so they stayed on. I replaced the A and D I was using with Savarez red card D and G strings, both wound.
The results have been very pleasing! I've lost a tiny bit of power in the sound (or I feel like I have) but otherwise the tone is just as good, volume is just as good and comfort of playing the lighter strings is much higher. Thanks for giving me the idea, folks!