Name
Michael Ahuna
How long have you been fireknife dancing?
Since the 6th grade
Why did you start?
Tradition
Why did you enter PCC’s competition?
To get better
Have you won any other competitions?
Do you perform anywhere?
Family shows, Halekua

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How long have you been fireknife dancing?
Since I was 9.
Why did you start?
My father is a fireknife teacher.
Why did you enter PCC’s competition?
This is the place to compete for a title.
Have you won any other competitions?
Teahinui 2007 Champion (Tahitian Competition)
Do you perform anywhere?
Hotels in Tahiti

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Video below the jump.
Semi Final Night Performance

Forget about the hip shaking otea, Heiva Potelle, one of four competitors from French Polynesia, shows that fireknife is just as hot in his home country.

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Umi Sexton is an entertainer, you can tell it by his performance and by the way the audience is captivated during his performance. His speed was what made him stand out last year, and helped him win the 2007 World Fireknife Championships. He can’t take it easy as the reigning champion this [...]

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Not to be shown up, Viavia Tiumlau, the former Junior Fireknife Champion, followed his duet partner, Mika Oloa, with a near flawless performance. While his single knife performance was exceptional, it was during his double knife routine where he shown. Don’t let his age fool you, his speed and talent are well [...]

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With two World Fireknife Championship titles in 2005 and 2006 under his belt, Mikaele Oloa returns this year with a blaze. At the age of 16 in 2005, he was the youngest competitor in history to win the top honors. In his preliminary performance, he leaves no doubt why he is one [...]

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Sakaio Pupualii was a semifinalist in last year’s competition. It’s not wonder, with all the tricks he has up his sleeve. The highlight of his performance was when he twirled his double knives across the stage…on his head. Let’s hope he doesn’t have a headache tomorrow.

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The reigning 2007 Junior Fireknife Champion, Jeurell Lavatai made his first appearance in the Senior Division. He’ll need to step up his game to go head-to-head against against several other past Junior Fireknife Champions and World Fireknife Champions if he wants to win the title.

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Malakai Lavatai was the first competitor to grace the stage, and he did it in style. He lit up the stage, literally, with wall of fire that wowed the crowd.

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Yuji Alex, one of only four fireknife dancers in Japan, traveled all the way from the Land of the Rising Sun to compete this year. It’s his second year at the competition, and just like in 2006, his cheering squad was in full force. His routine began with one of the highest [...]

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Joseph Cadousteau was a two-time runner up in 2006 and 2007 for the World Fireknife Championships. After three years in the competition, he’s developed something of a “signature opening.” Hailing from French Polynesia, he shows that the art of fireknife transcends across the Pacific. Maybe this year, third time is a charm.

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Title: World Fireknife Championship
Location: Pacific Theater
Description: Be a part of the World Fireknife Championship finals. Purchase a show ticket and see the three finalists compete.
Date: 2008-05-17

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Title: World Fireknife Championship
Location: Hale Aloha
Description: See the Junior Championships and the Senior Semi Finals with the top 9 competitors
Date: 2008-05-16

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Title: World Fireknife Senior Prelims
Location: Hale Aloha
Description: 28 preliminary performances for the World Championships.
Date: 2008-05-15

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Title: World Fireknife Senior Prelims
Location: Hale Aloha
Description: Starts at 7:45pm. Will showcase about 30 performers.
Start Time: 19-45-00
Date: 2008-05-15

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Name Yuji Alex
How long have you been fireknife dancing? 5 years
Why did you start? I saw it since I was a child in “Spa Resort Hawaii”
Why did you enter PCC’s competition? To experience the world wide level of fire knife dance
Have you won any other competitions? [...]

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Name Lafo Brown
How long have you been fireknife dancing? 10 years
Why did you start? My father and it was nice love it
Why did you enter PCC’s competition? Yes, 2001
Have you won any other competitions? Never enter any other, just this one
Do [...]

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Name
Joseph Cadousteau
How long have you been fireknife dancing?
9 years
Why did you start?
I danced in a Tahitian group (Toa Reva) and all the men dance the fireknife
Why did you enter PCC’s competition?
To one day become the best fireknife dancer. But if not, just to be with my fireknife dancers
Have you won any other competitions?
Te [...]

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Name Jacob Filipo
How long have you been fireknife dancing? 2 years
Why did you start? Friend
Why did you enter PCC’s competition? Try and have fun
Have you won any other competitions?
Do you perform anywhere?

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How long have you been fireknife dancing?
Since I was 10 years old.
Why did you start?
My dad taught me and I wanted to try it out.
Why did you enter PCC’s competition?
For fun, to have a good time.
Have you won any other competitions?
Not yet
Do you perform anywhere?
PCC night show and Samoan village

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Name
Conan Kipi Higa
How long have you been fireknife dancing?
Since 1996
Why did you start?
It’s a way to express myself and Polynesian culture
Why did you enter PCC’s competition?
I am a burn survivor. I wanted to perform as an expression of thanks to God. I live by faith and not by fear.
Have you won any [...]

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Name
Hawaka Jeremiah
How long have you been fireknife dancing?
10 years
Why did you start?
Been around dancing and fireknife since I was young
Why did you enter PCC’s competition?
For the experience
Have you won any other competitions?
No
Do you perform anywhere?
Waikiki Princess Kaiulani, Tihati Productions, Royal Hawaiian Hotel Luau, Sea Life Park Luau

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How long have you been fireknife dancing?
5 years old.
Why did you start?
Looked fun
Why did you enter PCC’s competition?
Compete at the PCC
Have you won any other competitions?
American Samoa Championship 2007
Do you perform anywhere?
My family performs together at Sadies and Tradewinds Hotel

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Name Creasepaul Lifu
How long have you been fireknife dancing? 2 years
Why did you start? For fun and it applies to my work
Why did you enter PCC’s competition? I work at PCC
Have you won any other competitions?
Do you perform anywhere?

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Name Daniel Long
How long have you been fireknife dancing? 2 years
Why did you start? I enjoy the fire and excitement of the drums
Why did you enter PCC’s competition? I want to put my skills into the competition
Have you won any other competitions?
Do you [...]

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Name Spencer Lonoa’a
How long have you been fireknife dancing? 12 years
Why did you start? Looked fun
Why did you enter PCC’s competition? Have friends competing
Have you won any other competitions? Not yet
Do you perform anywhere? At parties

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Name Brandon Maneafuga
How long have you been fireknife dancing? 7 years
Why did you start? Always wanted to know since I was little
Why did you enter PCC’s competition? It is the biggest competition in the world for fire knife dancers
Have you won any other [...]

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Name Paul Morimoto
How long have you been fireknife dancing? 6 years
Why did you start? Wanted to explore more of Polynesia
Why did you enter PCC’s competition? Commiderary
Have you won any other competitions?
Do you perform anywhere? Luau Kalamakau, Kauai Hawaii

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How long have you been fireknife dancing?
Since I was 3.
Why did you start?
Always been around it my whole life, just picked it up
Why did you enter PCC’s competition?
Wanted to dance on the same stage as my idols from the past (Ifi So’o, Pati Levasa, all of them)
Have you won any other competitions?
World Fireknife Championship 2005 [...]

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How long have you been fireknife dancing?
Since I was 9.
Why did you start?
My father is a fireknife teacher.
Why did you enter PCC’s competition?
This is the place to compete for a title.
Have you won any other competitions?
Teahinui 2007 Champion (Tahitian Competition)
Do you perform anywhere?
Hotels in Tahiti

Forget about the hip shaking otea, Heiva Potelle, one of four [...]

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Name Sakato Harry Pupuali’i
How long have you been fireknife dancing?
Why did you start?
Why did you enter PCC’s competition?
Have you won any other competitions?
Do you perform anywhere?
Semifinals performance

Sakaio Pupualii was a semifinalist in last year’s competition. It’s not wonder, with all the tricks he has up his [...]

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Name Tapaga Biz Purcell
How long have you been fireknife dancing? 22 years
Why did you start? My dad was a fire knife dancer
Why did you enter PCC’s competition? It’s the big one
Have you won any other competitions? No
Do you perform anywhere? [...]

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Name
Andrew Umi Sexton III
How long have you been fireknife dancing?
20 years
Why did you start?
My grandfather & father
Have you won any other competitions?
Nope, just one!
Do you perform anywhere?
Walt Disney World Polynesian Resort Luau
Disney Animal Kingdom
Festival of the Lion King Show
2008 semifinals performance

Umi Sexton is an entertainer, you can tell it by his performance and [...]

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Name Richard Siolosega
How long have you been fireknife dancing? 11 years
Why did you start? Family
Why did you enter PCC’s competition? For fun and excitement
Have you won any other competitions? No

Do you perform anywhere? Germaines Luau and PolyPride Productions

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Name
Jerome Slade
Semi finals performance

How long have you been fireknife dancing?
12 years
Why did you start?
Father, wanted me to be like him, always been around.
Why did you enter PCC’s competition?
See where I stand w/everyone
Have you won any other competitions?
In first place 2001 for the Juniors
Do you perform anywhere?
Big Island with Tihati’s

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Name Frank N. Souza
How long have you been fireknife dancing? 6 years
Why did you start? No other person would
Why did you enter PCC’s competition? I was told to try
Have you won any other competitions? No

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Dana

How long have you been fireknife dancing?
Since I was 9.
Why did you start?
To practice the Polynesian culture.
Why did you enter PCC’s competition?
Nobody wants to miss this competition.
Have you won any other competitions?
Teahinui 2007 Champion (Tahitian Competition)
Do you perform anywhere?
Hotels in Tahiti

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Name Thomas Thompson
How long have you been fireknife dancing? 2 years
Why did you start? Messing around at the age of 8
Why did you enter PCC’s competition? I love my culture
Have you won any other competitions? Spelling Bee
Do you perform anywhere? [...]

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How long have you been fireknife dancing?
Since I was 3.
Why did you start?
Cultural experience, fun, inspired by parents
Why did you enter PCC’s competition?
It’s the World Fireknife Championship
Have you won any other competitions?
LA 3 times, juniors champion 2005, 2006 & 2007
Do you perform anywhere?
Seaworld Orlando with Netane Polynesian Productions
Final Round (longer clip)

Final Round

Finals Round 1 - [...]

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