Milford Family Of Punalu‘u Rules The Junior Divisions Of The 2021 World Fireknife Championship - Joe Milford, 11, Wins Junior Division & Isa‘ako Milford, 15, Wins Intermediate Division
Joe Milford, 11, Wins Junior Division
Isa‘ako Milford, 15, Wins Intermediate Division
APRIL 28, 2021 – Lā‘ie, Hawai‘i – Tonight at the Polynesian Cultural Center, the future of fireknife dancing – 19 boys and girls ranging from ages six to 17 – got the 2021 World Fireknife Championship off to a fiery start.
One family, the Milford family of Punalu‘u, Hawai‘i, showed the product of determination and hard work that goes into being an outstanding fireknife dancer, as three sons earned awards for their performance.
Winning the World Fireknife Championship’s Junior Division (ages 6-11) was Joe Milford, 11, while older brother Isa‘ako Milford, 15, won first place in the Intermediate Division (ages 12-17). Younger brother Toa‘alii Milford, 14, was named first runner-up in the Intermediate Division.
The boys’ proud father, John Milford, commented, “Having our sons do so well in this year’s competition is an honor and a blessing. This is the first time all four boys – Ikona (9), Joe (11), Toa‘alii (14), and Isa‘ako (15) – competed together in the championship and these results are a credit to all of the hard work they have put in.”
Now in its 28th year, the 2021 World Fireknife Championship is taking place over two nights, with the championship in the elite Menʻs Divsion taking place on May 5.
Due to COVID-19 transpacific air travel restrictions, the previously planned Women’s Division did not garner enough competitors to qualify.
Tonight, the 19 competitors in the junior and intermediate divisions showed this iconic Samoan tradition will continue to thrive for years to come, as this next generation of cultural artists demonstrated skills, bravery and a flair for the dramatic that belied their youth. All of them performed difficult, choreographed routines twirling, hurling, and swinging one and two fireknives without fear or hesitation of being burned.
Twelve warriors – three girls, nine boys – displayed skills way beyond their years in the Junior Division, while eight warriors in the Intermediate Division showed they are on track to compete in the elite men’s division in future years.
All of the competitors received prize packages with the top three in each division presented with special fireknife-designed trophies.
Results: Junior Division (ages 6-11)
1st Place: Joe Milford, 11, Punalu‘u, HI
2nd Place: Elway Tora, 10, Lā‘ie, HI
3rd Place: Vincent Galeai, 11, Lā‘ie, HI
Results: Intermediate Division (ages 12-17)
1ST Place: Isa‘ako Milford, 15, Punalu‘u, HI
2ND Place: Toa‘alii Milford, 14, Punalu‘u, HI
3RD Place: Kekai Nielson-Cabagason, 17, Kāne‘ohe, HI
Men’s Champion Fireknive Dancer to be Crowned May 5
On Wednesday, May 5, the World Fireknife Champion will be determined, as the elite Men’s Division will feature 15 of the world’s top fireknife dancers vying for the coveted honor to be known as the best of the best in 2021.
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, acrobatics, 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.”
An objective of the World Fireknife Championship is to encourage the next generation of fireknife dancers to embrace and perpetuate this proud, ancient tradition of the Samoan culture. Tonight’s competition showed fireknife dancing has a strong future with today’s youths.
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 Hawai‘i, call 293-3333.
B-Roll Videos: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/7bh8a4aiyh67leb/AAB0ZR91rNYBtRe76u7qJDIYa?dl=0
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ABOUT THE POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER
Located on O‘ahu’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 Hawai‘i. 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-Hawai‘i. For more information, visit www.Polynesia.com.
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