NINE ADVANCE TO SEMIFINALS OF WORLD FIREKNIFE CHAMPIONSHIPS AT POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER
Junior World Fireknife Champion Will Be Crowned Tomorrow
La‘ie, HI — May 18, 2006 — Twenty competitors showed up tonight to showcase their fireknife dancing skills as part of the Polynesian Cultural Centerıs 14th Annual World Fireknife Dance Competition. They came from as far as Japan, Samoa, Orlando, Guam, Korea, and all over Hawaii to compete. Only nine will move on to compete in the semi-finals for the title of the ³Worldıs Best².
The nine finalists competing tomorrow night are:
- Kapeneta Teo-Tafiti Laie, HI
- Peter Whitney Waianae, HI
- Ricky Fitiausi Guam
- Heiva Potel Tahiti
- David Galeai Laie, HI (3-time world champion)
- Richard Siolosega Kaneohe, HI
- Andrew Umi Sexton Orlando, FL
- Mikaele Oloa Orlando, FL (returning champion from 2005)
- Joseph Cadousteau - Tahiti
The field will narrow down to three after the competition continues tomorrow in the Hale Aloha Theater at 7:30 p.m. The top three will compete for the championship Saturday night, May 14, in the PCCıs Pacific Theater during the intermission of the 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Horizons night show. The scores from each performance will be combined for the winning score, which will be announced at the end of the 8 p.m. show.
Before these nine competitors take the stage, junior fireknife dancers as young as five years old will showcase their skills in the Junior World Fireknife Championships starting at 7:45 p.m. in the Hale Aloha Theater.The 6-11 year olds will have five competitors, while 12 challengers will compete in the 12-17 year old category.
In addition to the competition, there will also be an exhibition of duo fireknife dancers. The synchronized duet of knife dancing is a tandem demonstration of precision at its best.
Sponsored by Coca-Cola, Electric Pencil, Hawaiian Airlines, Henry S. Mataalii & Company, Turtle Bay Resort, and the PCC, this annual competition draws spectators from around the world.
Tickets for tomorrow nightıs competition for kamaıaina are $8 for adults and children ages 3-11. Seats are almost sold out for the finals tomorrow night. Tickets for the finals are $40 for adults and $30 for children ages 3-11.
Call 293-3333 to make reservations. Visit the PCC website at www.polynesia.com for updates on the results of the 14th Annual World Fireknife Dance Competition.
Since its beginning in 1963, the Polynesian Cultural Center has entertained more than 33 million visitors by preserving the spirit, culture and people of Polynesia. This week, all guests are invited to attend the Fireknife Competition and even learn the ancient art of fireknife dancing during free, on-site seminars.
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Media Contact: Amy Hennessey
Phone: 808-539-3439
Mobile: 808-381-9197
