Hale Motuapuaka Wins 2021 World Fireknife Championship
May 5, 2021 – Laie, Hawaii – Hale Motuapuaka proved tonight, once again, he is the world’s best fireknife dancer, winning the 2021 World Fireknife Championship at the Polynesian Cultural Center with a flawless display of power, athleticism, acrobatic creativity and showmanship.
Hale Motuapuaka, 21, whose home is in Aiea, Hawaii, bested the other two finalists, five-time World Fireknife Champion, Mikaele Oloa (Waialua, Oahu, Hawaii), and Kepanipaa Damaso (Waikoloa, Hawaii Island, Hawaii) to win the elite Men’s Division of the World Fireknife Championship. Tonight’s Men’s championship began with 15 contestants in the opening round, from which three finalists were selected to advance, with one fireknife champion crowned.
Everyone was wowed by the caliber of competition this year, especially Delsa Moe, Vice President of Cultural Presentations at the Polynesian Culture Center. “The competitors get better every year and it’s a credit to the thousands of hours they put into refining their craft and preparing for this championship,” said Moe. “We thank all the competitors for how they are elevating public awareness about the artistry of this Samoan cultural tradition.”
Dressed in a traditional lavalava and performing to the pulsating beat of eight Samoan drummers, Motuapuaka’s championship performance featured an amazing routine that had him spinning the flaming blades at dizzying speeds with his arms extended from his side and in front of his body, behind his back, above his head, and under his legs while sitting and laying down. His power and strength were evident as he spun the fireknives throughout his routine, at times even throwing it over 20 feet in the air.
Motuapuaka also won the World Fireknife Championship in 2018 during his senior year at Punahou before taking a hiatus in 2019. He said of his second championship, “I am so happy and want to congratulate all of the contestants. Thank you to the Polynesian Cultural Center for keeping the Samoan culture alive and once again hosting the World Fireknife Championship.”
This is the eighth World Fireknife Championship for Motuapuaka. He also holds six additional championship titles – three from the Junior Division (ages 6-11) and three from the Intermediate Division (ages 12-17).
The World Fireknife Championship was established by the Polynesian Cultural Center in 1993 to showcase this proud Samoan tradition and encourage future generations to perpetuate this amazing combination of artistry, skill and bravery. Fire-knife dancing is rooted in the Samoan ailao, a warrior knife dance traditionally performed before battle utilizing the nifo oti, or “tooth of death.”
This year’s World Fireknife Championship featured competitions in three divisions. In addition to Hale Motuapuaka winning the Men’s Division, Isa‘ako Milford, 15, of Punaluu, Hawaii, won the Intermediate Division and his younger brother, Joe Milford, 11, won the Junior Division.
For more information about the World Fireknife Championship, visit www.worldfireknife.com.
For information about the Polynesian Cultural Center or to make reservations, visit www.polynesia.com, or call (800) 367-7060. In Hawaii, call 293-3333.
B-Roll Footage
Photography: https://anthology2.myqnapcloud.com:9443/share.cgi?ssid=65f9c49451b144508e9b54274ced76f2
ABOUT THE POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER
Located on Oahu’s beautiful North Shore, the Polynesian Cultural Center is the only cultural tourist attraction of its kind in the world and a favorite of all visitors to Hawaii. An engaging, interactive celebration showcasing the people, culture, arts and crafts of Polynesia, the Polynesian Cultural Center has entertained millions of visitors from around the world since opening in 1963. A non-profit organization, 100 percent of its revenue goes to daily operations and to support the education of its student-employees from neighboring Brigham Young University-Hawaii. For more information, visit www.Polynesia.com.
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