Lilo Family Of ‘Ewa Beach Sweeps The Intermediate Division Of The 2022 World Fireknife Championship

May 5, 2022 – Lā‘ie, Hawai‘i – Tonight at the Polynesian Cultural Center, the future of fireknife dancing – 30 boys and girls ranging from ages six to 17 – commanded the stage at the 2022 World Fireknife Championship.

Winning the World Fireknife Championship’s Junior Division (ages 6-11) was 11 year old Elway Tora of Lā‘ie, Hawai‘i. The Lilo family of ‘Ewa Beach swept the Intermediate Division (ages 12-17) – Mose Lilo won first place and also placed in the top three of the Junior Division for six consecutive years from 2014 to 2019. Mose’s older brother, Matagi Lilo, placed second and was also the international champion in 2019. The youngest of the Lilo family, Mamalu Lilo, took home third and also placed third in 2019 while competing in the Junior Division.

All 30 competitors showed this iconic Samoan tradition will continue to live on, 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.

Fifteen competitors – 13 boys and two girls – displayed skills way beyond their years in the Junior Division and 15 competitors – 12 boys and three girls – in the Intermediate Division showed that some of them will soon be graduating to the elite men’s and women’s divisions in future years.

All 30 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: Elway Tora, 11, Lā‘ie, HI
2nd Place: Kalivati “KJ” Volavola, 10, Kahuku, HI
3rd Place: Manasseh Tuliloa, 9, Lā‘ie, HI

Results: Intermediate Division (ages 12-17) 

1st Place: Mose Lilo, 14, Ewa Beach, HI
2nd Place: Matagi Lilo, 16, Ewa Beach, HI
3rd Place: Mamalu Lilo, 13, Ewa Beach, HI

Now in its 29th year, the 2022 World Fireknife Championship is taking place over three nights, May 4, 11 and 12, with competitors showcasing their talents in three divisions, the Junior, Intermediate, and Men’s Divisions.

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,” said Delsa Moe, Vice President of Cultrual Presentations at the Polynesian Cultural Center. “Tonight’s competition showed fireknife dancing has a strong future with today’s youths and for future generations.”

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.

Photo and Video Courtesy: Polynesian Cultural Center 
Link to download: www.dropbox.com/sh/tzml1hn4bz67tkt/AADKXwy59bH0sQv7ducHmP18a?dl=0 

ABOUT POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER
Located on Oahu’s beautiful North Shore, the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) 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 PCC has entertained millions of visitors from around the world since opening in 1963. A non-profit organization, 100 percent of PCC’s 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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