Nearly 3,000 Attendees Filled Pacific Theater with Samoan Pride and Excitement

Laie, HI – High school students from throughout Oahu gathered today at the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) to show off their knowledge and skills of Samoa’s cultural traditions at the 2007 Samoan Cultural Arts Festival, but it was Kahuku High School that proved they know it best this year when they returned to capture the overall title again. Second place went to Radford High School and Waipahu High School took third.

More than 600 students took part representing nine high schools, including teams comprised of students from Farrington and Moanalua, as well as Leilehua and Mililani. Other schools included Kahuku, Kapolei, Moanalua, Radford and Waipahu.

The competition also featured a special presentation and performance by Tui Pule and the United Samoa Organization of Hawaii (USOH) featuring the 2006 Miss Lelalelei O Samoa and candidates for the 2007 pageant to be held in July. USOH returned again this year as the sponsor for the Taupo, or princess dance category, with a gift of $800. Along with the World Fireknife Dance Championships, the Samoan Cultural Arts Festival is a premier event of the Samoa Festival, which concludes tonight.

It was a packed house in the PCC’s Pacific Theater with the capacity audience of 2,775 cheering wildly throughout the competition. “This is the first time we’ve had so many schools join us for this event,” said Delsa Moe, emcee and director of cultural presentations for the PCC. “It’s so exciting to see the kids at the schools gather together to share their pride in the Samoan culture and celebrate its traditions through the various events and activities.”

The high school students worked together as teams in exciting cultural competitions that tested their expertise at traditional Samoan skills like coconut husking, basket weaving, and banana peeling. They also demonstrated their Samoan oratorical talents, musicianship, and mastery of traditional dances. Kahuku High School was judged the overall winner based on its cumulative performance in all the competitions.

Sponsors for the Samoa Arts Festival included Electric Pencil, Hawaiian Airlines, United Samoan Organization of Hawaii and Turtle Bay Resort. The high school awards included cash prizes and trophies for the various tasks and dances.

Visit the PCC website at http://www.polynesia.com for images and updates for the Samoa Festival and see the results of the 15th Annual World Fireknife Dance Competition.

Since its beginning in 1963, the Polynesian Cultural Center has entertained more than 32 million visitors by preserving the spirit and cultures of Polynesia. The weeklong festivities of the Samoa Festival conclude tonight with the crowning of the World Fireknife Dance Champion.

The competition rankings for the 2007 Samoa Arts Festival are:

OVERALL WINNERS
(Based on Total Number of Points Earned)
1. Kahuku High School
2. Radford High School
3. Waipahu High School

CULTURAL GAMES
Banana Peeling

Men:
1. Leilehua High School
2. Kahuku High School
3. Waipahu High School

Women:
1. Kapolei High School
2. Waipahu High School
3. Farrington High School

Basket Weaving

Men:
1. Waipahu High School
2. Leilehua High School
3. Radford High School

Women:
1. Leilehua High School
2. Kapolei High School

Coconut Husking
Men:

1. Waipahu High School
2. Kahuku High School
3. Radford High School & Kapolei High School (tie)

Women:
1. Kahuku High School
2. Waipahu High School
3. Leilehua High School

Fire Making

1. Kahuku High School

LAUGA (SPEECH)
1. Farrington High School ($300 prize)
2. Kahuku High School ($200 prize)
3. Kapolei High School ($100 prize)

DANCE
Best Faaluma (Comedian):
Radford High School

Best Costume (3-way Tie)
Farrington High School
Leilehua High School
Waipahu High School

Musicians (2-way tie)
Kahuku High School
Waipahu High School

Mauluulu (Girls Dance):
1. Waipahu High School ($800 prize)

2. Kahuku High School ($400 prize)
3. Radford High School ($300 prize)

Sasa (Sit Down Dance):
1. Radford High School ($800 prize)
2. Kahuku High School ($400 prize)
3. Waipahu High School ($300 prize)

Taupo (Princess Dance):
Kahuku High School

Utah’s Tennessee Suesue Wins 6-11 Year Old Category

Laie – With Samoan culture highlighting the weekend festivities at the Polynesian Cultural Center, it’s only fitting that two brothers from Pago Pago, American Samoa win the top two slots in the 15th Annual Junior Pacific Fireknife Championships. Jeurell J. Lavatai, 16, took top honors in the 12-17 year old category and his brother Brandonlee Lavatai, 14, came in second, with Laie’s Julius Tafiti, 15, in third place.

The top three performed increasingly daring routines that showcased their speed, strength and stamina with exciting maneuvers that thrilled the crowd of more than 1,000 in the PCC’s Hale Aloha Theater.

“This is our 15th anniversary for our annual competition, so we’re very happy that we had our biggest turnout ever for this part of the festival,” said Delsa Moe, competition emcee and director of cultural presentations at the Polynesian Cultural Center. “We’ve worked hard to enhance the event and I think the increase in attendance and participation is a testament to the growing popularity of fireknife dancing as a cultural sport.”

In the third night of the now four-day competition, the kids were the real stars of the show as 21 competitors ranging in ages from 6 to 17 took the stage to compete for the title of Junior Pacific Fireknife Champion in their respective age categories.

Along with a specially designed set of trophy fireknives, Jeurell Lavatai also received a check for $800. His brother received $600 for second place and Tafiti took home $400.

First place in the 6-11 year old category went to Tennessee Suesue, an 11-year-old from Salt Lake City, Utah. Second place was awarded to Marcus Muti, 9, from Laie and another Laie boy, 8-year-old Achilles Tafiti took third place.

In addition to the Fireknife Championship events on Saturday, May 19, visitors have the opportunity to attend the Samoan Cultural High School Arts Festival in the PCC’s Pacific Theater starting at 9 a.m. Students from Hawai‘i high schools will demonstrate their Samoan cultural knowledge and skills in friendly competitions such as basket weaving, coconut husking, banana peeling, fire making, singing, dancing, and oration.

Sponsored by Cirque du Soleil, Electric Pencil, Galumalemana Lester W.B. Moore, Hawaiian Airlines, Henry S. Mataalii & Company, Turtle Bay Resort, and the PCC, this annual competition draws spectators from around the world.

Tickets for tomorrow night’s finals are $40 for adults and $30 for children ages 3-11, but there are very few seats left. Call 293-3333 to make reservations and check on available seating. Visit the PCC website at http://www.polynesia.com for updates on the results of the 15th Annual World Fireknife Dance Competition.

Since its beginning in 1963, the Polynesian Cultural Center has entertained more than 32 million visitors by preserving the spirit and cultures of Polynesia. This week, all guests are invited to attend the Fireknife Championships and even learn the ancient art of fireknife dancing first-hand during free, on-site seminars in the Samoan Village.

Competitors Vie for Title Tomorrow Night in the PCC Pacific Theater

Laie – Following the conclusion of the third night of competition, the top three challengers who will advance to vie for the title of world’s best in the 15th Annual World Fireknife Dance Championships are:

Andrew Sexton, Orlando, Florida
Joseph Cadousteau – Papeete, Tahiti
Alexander Galeai – Laie, Hawaii

The journey to champion began yesterday for 25 warriors with only 9 advancing to the semi-final competition. After grueling routines that wowed the crowd of nearly 1,000 people, it was clear that the slightest mistake would be necessary to narrow the steep competition down to the final three. Each semi-finalist received a $500 check for his participation.

In addition to the Fireknife Championship events tomorrow night, visitors have the opportunity to attend the Samoan Cultural High School Arts Festival in the PCC’s Pacific Theater starting at 9 a.m. Students from Hawaii high schools will demonstrate their Samoan cultural knowledge and skills in friendly competitions such as basket weaving, coconut husking, banana peeling, fire making, singing, dancing, and oration.

Sponsored by Cirque du Soleil, Electric Pencil, Galumalemana Lester W.B. Moore, Hawaiian Airlines, Henry S. Mataalii & Company, Turtle Bay Resort, and the PCC, this annual competition draws spectators from around the world.

Tickets for tomorrow night’s finals are $40 for adults and $30 for children ages 3-11, but there are very few seats left. Call 293-3333 to make reservations and check on available seating. Visit the PCC website at http://www.polynesia.com for updates on the results of the 15th Annual World Fireknife Dance Competition.

Since its beginning in 1963, the Polynesian Cultural Center has entertained more than 32 million visitors by preserving the spirit and cultures of Polynesia. This week, all guests are invited to attend the Fireknife Championships and even learn the ancient art of fireknife dancing first-hand during free, on-site seminars in the Samoan Village.

Junior World Fireknife Champion Will Be Crowned Tomorrow

La‘ie – The field started with 25 competitors vying for their chance at the championship title for the Polynesian Cultural Center’s 15th Annual World Fireknife Dance Championships. They came from as far as Japan, Tahiti, Samoa, Orlando, the Philippines, and all over Hawai‘i to compete. Only nine will move on to compete in the semi-finals for the title of the “World’s Best” and the competition is tough with two former world champions and the current reigning duet champion as part of the field.

The nine finalists competing tomorrow night are:

David Galeai – Laie, HI (3-time world champion)
Viavia Tiumalu – Orlando, FL (07 duet champ/05-06 Jr. champ)
Fue Brandon Maneafaiga – Waianae, HI
Andrew Sexton – Orlando, FL

Joseph Cadousteau – Papeete, Tahiti
Alexander Galeai – Laie, HI (former world champion)
Micah Naruo – Honolulu, HI
Sakaio Harry Pupualii – Apia, Samoa
Thomas T.C. Thompson – Laie, HI

The field will narrow down to three after the competition continues tomorrow in the Hale Aloha Theater at 7:45 p.m. The top three will compete for the championship Saturday night, May 19, in the PCC’s 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 six years old will showcase their skills in the Junior Pacific Fireknife Championships starting at 7:45 p.m. in the Hale Aloha Theater. The 6-11 year olds will have seven competitors, while 16 challengers will compete in the 12-17 year old category.

Along with Fireknife Championship events on Saturday, May 19, visitors have the opportunity to attend the Samoan Cultural High School Arts Festival. Students from eight Hawai‘i high schools will demonstrate their Samoan cultural knowledge and skills in friendly competitions such as basket weaving, coconut husking, banana peeling, fire making, singing, dancing, and oration. PCC visitors are welcome to watch these competitions in the Pacific Theater beginning at 9 a.m. Seats are reserved for this very popular event, so early ticket purchase is recommended.

Sponsored by Cirque du Soleil, Electric Pencil, Galumalemana Lester W.B. Moore, Hawaiian Airlines, Henry S. Mataalii & Company, Turtle Bay Resort, and the PCC, this annual competition draws spectators from around the world.

Tickets for tomorrow night’s competition for kama‘aina are $8 for adults, $6 for children ages 3-11. Seats are almost sold out for the finals on Saturday 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 15th Annual World Fireknife Dance Championships.

Since its beginning in 1963, the Polynesian Cultural Center has entertained more than 32 million visitors by preserving the spirit and cultures of Polynesia. This week, all guests are invited to attend the Fireknife Championships and even learn the ancient art of fireknife dancing first-hand during free, on-site seminars in the Samoan Village.

Female and Duet Competitions Bring Crowds and Crowns to First Year Categories

La’ie, HI – Once a winner, always a winner was the theme of the night with the announcement of partners Viavia Tiumalu and Mikaele Oloa of Orlando, Florida as the first place winners in the newly minted Duets competition at the Polynesian Cultural Center’s 15th Annual World Fireknife Championships. Both Tiumalu and Oloa are the reigning champions from last year’s fireknife competition in their respective age categories. Oloa is the current two-time World Fireknife Champion, so this was his only chance to compete due to regulations limiting entry after two consecutive wins.

“It’s exciting for us to win this title as a team since we’ve been practicing together since we were small kids,” said Viavia Tiumalu. “It’s awesome to be the first to win this title and have our place in the history books.”

Though there would be no competition for the winner of the Teine O Samoa or “Female Warriors of Samoa” due to last minute cancellation of competitors, the lone entrant Janelle Ferejan from San Diego, Calif. proved she is one hot chick. Speed and grace matched with style and unparalleled flexibility highlighted her performance. Two years in the making, the women’s competition was added to the line up as part of the 15th anniversary celebration.

“I hope that next year more girls come out,” said Janelle Ferejan. “There aren’t that many fireknife dancers in San Diego, so it’s great to be surrounded by some of the world’s best and learn from them. I’ve wanted to compete for a few years now, so I’m thrilled to be here this year as a competitor.”

Synchronicity was the name of the game when it came to the skill and beauty of the duet competition. The partners moved in tandem to the rhythmic beats of the steel drums highlighting the new category that kicked off the annual competition honoring Samoan culture.

Second place went to La‘ie favorites Lehi Aumua and three-time solo world champion David Galea‘i, who thrilled the audience of nearly 700 with their quick knives and exciting maneuvers. Third place was a tie between Wailuku, Maui’s duet Austin De Rego and Conan Higa, and partners Sakaie Pupualii from Apia, Samoa and Daniel Morry from La‘ie, Hawai‘i.

“We really wanted to add these new categories to highlight different aspects of the competition,” said Delsa Moe, director of cultural presentations for the Polynesian Cultural Center. “The crowd and the competitors really seem to love it, so we’re hoping we’ll have even more entrants next year and raise the bar.”

The competition continues tomorrow night in the Hale Aloha Theater with the preliminaries of the men’s category starting at 7:45 p.m. More than 30 competitors are expected to join in the festivities to see if they can make it to the finals on Saturday night in the PCC’s Pacific Theater.

Along with Fireknife Championship events, on Saturday, May 19, visitors have the opportunity to attend the Samoan Cultural High School Arts Festival. Students from Hawai‘i high schools will demonstrate their Samoan cultural knowledge and skills in friendly competitions such as basket weaving, coconut husking, banana peeling, fire making, singing, dancing, and oration. PCC visitors are welcome to watch these competitions in the Pacific Theater beginning at 9 a.m.

Sponsored by Coca-Cola, Cirque du Soleil, Electric Pencil, Galumalemana Lester W.B. Moore, Hawaiian Airlines, Henry S. Mataalii & Company, Turtle Bay Resort, and the PCC, this annual competition draws spectators from around the world.

Tickets for tomorrow night’s competition for kama‘aina are $8 for adults, $6 for children ages 3-11. Seats are almost sold out for the finals on Saturday 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 15th Annual World Fireknife Dance Competition.

Since its beginning in 1963, the Polynesian Cultural Center has entertained more than 32 million visitors by preserving the spirit and cultures of Polynesia. This week, all guests are invited to attend the Fireknife Championships and even learn the ancient art of fireknife dancing first-hand during free, on-site seminars in the Samoan Village.

Amy Hennessey
Direct: (80 539-3439
Cell: (80 381-9197

amy@mcneilwilson.com

“Many of the competitors have spent years learning and preserving the Samoan art of firknife dancing, and their performances shine with brilliant expertise.”

- Pulefano Galea’i

Word Fireknife Championships Founder

“Old Samoan traditions say warriors would use the relatively lightweight nifo oti like a hacking sword,” Galea’i says, noting that some of these wooden swords or clubs had boar tusks or shark teeth attached, while others had sharp “teeth” carved into the edges that could do serious damage to an enemy in close combat.

Galea’i, who has overseen each of the PCC’s previous competitions, explains the nifo oti was eventually combined with another Samoan weapon, the lave or hook, which was used to snare various body parts of an enemy.

In more modern times after village, tribal and interisland warfare faded into history, the nifo oti has become an important element in the Samoan ta’alolo or gift-giving procession that honors special visitors: Custom now demands in the most formal occasions that the ornately decorated manaia or “prince” and taupo or “princess,” each carrying and twirling nifo oti, should lead ta’alolo processions.

Galea’i suggests for a more detailed explanation and historical account, read the book Flaming Sword of Samoa – The Story of the Fire Knife Dance by Freddie & Patricia Letuli. The late Letuli, who mentored the young Galea’i and also served as a judge for previous PCC World Fireknife Dance competitions, is credited with adding fire to his nifo oti routines, and is considered by Galea’i as the Father of the Fireknife Dance. His book is available for purchase from our online store.

Capture the fire and fury of the 15th annual World Fireknife Championships in style by buying this limited edition T-shirt! Exclusively designed for the Polynesian Cultural Center our t-shirt features the official emblem of this year’s competition on the front and Polynesian Cultural Center artwork on the back. Made from a pre-shrunk cotton material our high quality short sleeve shirt offers a comfortable fit. Don’t miss out click on the shirt to order yours today!

In May of 2005 I was completely amazed by Mikaele Oloa, when he captured the PCC World Fireknife Championship title at the unheard of age of 15! Here is his performance during the preliminaries.

This excerpt from the upcoming documentary “Fa’a Samoa: An American- Samoan Story” features a performance from the annual American Samoan celebration called Flag Day.

From Honolulu Advertiser - Updated at 11:22 a.m., Monday, May 14, 2007

By Dennis Waszak Jr.
Associated Press

With his long flowing hair, hustle and hard hits, former UH safety Leonard Peters is making an impression with the New York Jets. The Jets signed Peters to a free-agent contract after the former Kahuku star went undrafted.Scott Terna / Special to The Honolulu Advertiser

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. — Leonard Peters peeled back the right sleeve of his T-shirt and proudly showed off the huge scar that covered his biceps. The discolored skin was a product of large, flaming knives he twirled while performing as a Polynesian dancer in his native Hawaii two years ago. No big deal, according to the free agent safety who’s trying to earn a spot with the New York Jets.

“There’s worse,” Peters said with a big smile. “The skin didn’t melt. If the skin melted, it would be bad.”

Peters is proving he can handle the heat of rookie minicamp, which wrapped up Monday. With his hard-hitting reputation, tattoos and long hair, Peters made his presence known while practicing with the Jets.

“Who thought a guy from a small island in Hawaii would come in and try out for the Jets?” asked Peters, who lives in the town of Laie in Oahu. “I am just grateful for the opportunity.”

The 25-year-old Peters was undrafted out of the University of Hawaii, where his position coach was former Jets defensive back Rich Miano. He had a successful college career, during which he made 290 tackles, seven interceptions — including two returned for touchdowns as a senior — and two sacks for the Warriors.

He missed most of the 2005 season with a knee injury, but developed a reputation for making bone-crunching tackles. Some of his greatest “hits” are featured in various highlight clips posted on the Internet, and he has a fan site dedicated to him. That coupled with Peters’ dark, flowing hair and Samoan heritage draw instant comparisons to Pittsburgh safety Troy Polamalu.

“Having a Polynesian background, it has always been a warriorlike thing to grow your hair,” said Peters, who moved to Hawaii from Samoa when he was 8. “I don’t know about comparing me to Troy Polamalu because he is one of the greatest players, but I am glad to just try to make the team.”

Peters met Polamalu when he came to Hawaii for the Pro Bowl, and considers him a good friend.

“I actually walked around with him and his wife for two days straight and got to know him and pick his mind about things,” Peters said. “He is a great guy and an inspiration.”

The Jets jumped at the chance to sign Peters to a free agent contract last week, and he has a realistic shot at sticking as a special teams ace, at the very least.

“When I was watching tape of Hawaii, there were a lot of big hits and he’s involved with them,” Jets coach Eric Mangini said. “The most impressive thing about him was in sitting down with the other players, how they constantly reference back to him, his qualities and what he meant to that team. That was probably what moved me most in terms of him as a person is how many other people were talking about him, because he’s a very humble guy by nature.”

You’d never guess that by the way he plays. He makes the kinds of hits on wide receivers that make you say, “Whoa!” as you rewind the tape so you can watch it again. That intensity was clear Saturday when Peters made a clothesline tackle on tryout Rayshaun Kizer during one-on-one drills — in what was supposed to be a no-contact session.

He seemed to turn things down a notch during one set of drills Sunday, and heard about it from special teams coach Mike Westhoff.

“If they yell at you, it means they care about you a lot,” Peters said with a grin. “I take it as a positive.”

Peters, who has intricate tattoos that honor his family on his left arm, shoulder and right leg, will head back home to Hawaii this week to help out at the World Fire Knife Dance Championships.

He’s been Polynesian dancing since he was 12, but he won’t be performing this time around. He’s traveled the world as a performer, so being in New York isn’t much of a culture shock.

The fire knife dance consists of twirling a long rod with blades on each end that are dipped in kerosene and lit. There’s lots of practice and hand-eye coordination required — as well as some luck. Even the most experienced performers aren’t immune to injuries.

“It does not matter how many times you spin the knife, the best dancers in the world get bruises and scratches from it,” Peters said, a few nicks visible on his hands. “It is the nature of the business, just like football.”

One thing is for sure if Peters makes the roster — he’s an early favorite for the rookie talent show.

“I just go hour by hour,” Peters said with a smile. “If the coaches call you up into the office, then you are done. I am just trying to enjoy the experience and try my hardest.”