Moeatalagi Schwenke From Australia Crowned The 2025 Women’s World Fireknife Champion
Top three men move on to the championship round on Thursday, May 15
May 15, 2025 – Lā‘ie, Hawai‘i – Thirty-one adults, featuring 20 men and 11 women, gathered at the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) on Wednesday, May 14, to compete in the Men’s and Women’s Division competition of the 32nd Annual World Fireknife Championship.
The evening ignited with powerful performances from the Women’s Division, as 11 skilled competitors took the stage with precision, strength, and artistry in their fireknife routines. After an intense round of competition, the dancers awaited the final announcement with anticipation. This year’s top performers in the Women’s Division are:
Results: Women’s Division
1st Place: Moeatalagi Schwenke, Sydney, AU
2nd Place: Aliyah Galea‘i-Ava, Lā‘ie, HI
3rd Place: Emillie Elizabeth Lovett, Aukland, NZ
Fireknife dancers from across the globe brought intensity and passion to the Men’s Division, demonstrating their deep knowledge and respect for this cherished Samoan art form. With bold, high-energy routines, each performer delivered a powerful display of strength, precision, and flair in hopes of advancing to the finals.
Twenty competitors lit up the stage with impressive choreography, spinning one or even two fireknives in routines judged on skill, showmanship, and costume. After a thrilling round of performances, the following three finalists will move on to compete in the Men’s Division championship round on May 15:
- Joseph Cadousteau, Papeete, Tahiti
- Malakai Don Lavatai, Pago Pago, American Samoa
- Hale Motuapuaka, Wahiawa, HI
Thursday, May 15, will be the final night of the 2025 World Fireknife festivities. The three finalists will be competing in the Men’s Division Championship for the title of 2025 World Fireknife Champion.
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.”
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. To receive updates, event invitations and promotions, join the ʻOhana Club for free here.
Photo and Video Courtesy: Polynesian Cultural Center
Link to download: www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/p15lfe23sjkkbzofk07iz/AMGvzaPS8ZMe2lTyQUGdolw?rlkey=7h5opd6iyt4m8mpaus9piomj9&dl=0
ABOUT POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER
Located on O‘ahu’s beautiful North Shore, the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) is the only cultural attraction of its kind in the world and a favorite of both locals and visitors to Hawai‘i. 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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Shere’e Quitevis
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Sheree.Quitevis@FinnPartners.com