HAWAII COMPETITOR’S FLAME BURNS BRIGHTEST AT THE WORLD FIREKNIFE CHAMPIONSHIPS FINALE

Mikaele Oloa Captures His Third Title in Five Years

Laie , Hawaii – May 16, 2009 – While the finalists were the same from last year’s battle, there was nothing routine about the competition at the 17th Annual World Fireknife Championships at the Polynesian Cultural Center. The sold-out crowd erupted in cheers when 19-year-old Mikaele Oloa (center in photo) from Waialua, Hawaii, took the title for the third time, narrowly edging out his closest competitor, Joseph Cadousteau (right), 29, of Papeete, Tahiti. The three finalists spun their knives faster, threw them higher and incorporated new tricks into their routines as they tried to top each other. After placing second in the 2008 competition, Oloa came back to prove that he was still the world’s best by unseating the reigning champion and his cousin, Via Tiumalu (left), 17, of Orlando, Fla. Tiumalu placed third overall in the competition. In winning his third championship, Oloa is only the third dancer to ever win more than two championships and joins three-time world champion David Galeai and four-time world champion Pati Levasa. Originally from Orlando, Fla., Oloa moved to Oahu last year and currently resides in Waialua.

“People were shaking their heads after each round of competition – it was virtually impossible to even hazard a guess as to who took the title,” said Delsa Moe, PCC’s director of cultural presentations and one of the program emcees. “Our event separates good fireknife dancers from the great fireknife dancers, but in the end there can only be one champion - Mikaele.”Oloa was presented a ceremonial nifo oti, the traditional Samoan weapon from which the fireknife was borne, and awarded $4,000. Cadousteau and Tiumalu also received ceremonial nifo oti for their accomplishments, and took home $2,000 and $1,000 respectively.

Video and photo clips were posted throughout the competition on the PCC’s blog at www.polynesia.com/blog, so fans can relive their favorite moments, comment and share highlights with family and friends.  In addition, live updates and photos were posted on PCC’s Twitter page at www.twitter.com/polynesia. Sponsored by Henry S. Mataalii Company, Hawaiian Airlines, Turtle Bay Resort, Electric Pencil, Pepsi, Bank of Hawaii, Galumalemana Lester W.B. Moore, Hawaii Tourism Authority and the City & County of Honolulu, this annual competition draws spectators from around the world.

The Polynesian Cultural Center proudly present its

17th Annual Samoan World Fire Knife Competition

May 14-16, 2009

From Thursday, May 14 through Saturday, May 16, the PCC continues to bringing together the most exciting and daring 'ailao afi dancers together from Hawaii, Samoa, Tahiti, other parts of the South Pacific, the U.S. mainland, and elsewhere to compete in front of live audiences for honor, cash prizes, and the title:

World Champion Fireknife Dancer

For three days these dancers will thrill you with their tremendous athletic abilities, as they pit their skills and bravery against bare skin and superb coordination.

The 9 Semi-Finalists Are:

Jeurell Lavatai

Brandon Maneafaigia

Pati Levasa

Mikaele Oloa

Joseph Cadousteau

Iopeti Tuua

Dana Teai

Jesse Usiel

Via Tiumalu

For more information, click through the links on the left for:

• The ancient orgins of the nifo oti ["deadly tooth"] as an actual battle weapon.
• How the 'ailao afi has evolved into the most exciting form of Polynesian entertainment today, one that requires exceptional talent and abilities.
• Yes, those are real flames...and the only thing between them and the competitors are outsttanding courage and skills.
• More about the Samoan High School Festival, a competition among Samoan clutural clubs and organizations at Oahu schools in traditional arts and crafts. The level of competition is a mix of fun, pride in cultural heritage and wonderful costumes, songs and dances of Samoa.
• And more...

For the first two days, the events will be held in the PCC's Hale Aloha dinner theater. Saturday's day and evening events will be held in the Pacific Theater. Purchase your tickets online now to secure a seat.

Follow this link to the results of previous competitions >>>

Listen to Pulefano Galea'i — PCC's retired Director of Cultural Islands, a former knife dancing champion and the originator of the Center's World Fire Knife Dance competition — as he provides an introduction to the competition and how it ties into Samoan culture..

New pictures and information are occasionally added to this site. Check back . . . and then plan to join us for a future World Fire Knife Dance Championship and Samoa Festival.