15th ANNIVERSARY OF WORLD FIREKNIFE COMPETITION KICKS OFF WITH FIRSTS
Female and Duet Competitions Bring Crowds and Crowns to First Year Categories
La'ie, HI – Once a winner, always a winner was the theme of the night with the announcement of partners Viavia Tiumalu and Mikaele Oloa of Orlando, Florida as the first place winners in the newly minted Duets competition at the Polynesian Cultural Center's 15th Annual World Fireknife Championships. Both Tiumalu and Oloa are the reigning champions from last year's fireknife competition in their respective age categories. Oloa is the current two-time World Fireknife Champion, so this was his only chance to compete due to regulations limiting entry after two consecutive wins.
"It's exciting for us to win this title as a team since we've been practicing together since we were small kids," said Viavia Tiumalu. "It's awesome to be the first to win this title and have our place in the history books."
Though there would be no competition for the winner of the Teine O Samoa or "Female Warriors of Samoa" due to last minute cancellation of competitors, the lone entrant Janelle Ferejan from San Diego, Calif. proved she is one hot chick. Speed and grace matched with style and unparalleled flexibility highlighted her performance. Two years in the making, the women's competition was added to the line up as part of the 15th anniversary celebration.
"I hope that next year more girls come out," said Janelle Ferejan. "There aren't that many fireknife dancers in San Diego, so it's great to be surrounded by some of the world's best and learn from them. I've wanted to compete for a few years now, so I'm thrilled to be here this year as a competitor."
Synchronicity was the name of the game when it came to the skill and beauty of the duet competition. The partners moved in tandem to the rhythmic beats of the steel drums highlighting the new category that kicked off the annual competition honoring Samoan culture.
Second place went to La‘ie favorites Lehi Aumua and three-time solo world champion David Galea‘i, who thrilled the audience of nearly 700 with their quick knives and exciting maneuvers. Third place was a tie between Wailuku, Maui's duet Austin De Rego and Conan Higa, and partners Sakaie Pupualii from Apia, Samoa and Daniel Morry from La‘ie, Hawai‘i.
"We really wanted to add these new categories to highlight different aspects of the competition," said Delsa Moe, director of cultural presentations for the Polynesian Cultural Center. "The crowd and the competitors really seem to love it, so we're hoping we'll have even more entrants next year and raise the bar."
The competition continues tomorrow night in the Hale Aloha Theater with the preliminaries of the men's category starting at 7:45 p.m. More than 30 competitors are expected to join in the festivities to see if they can make it to the finals on Saturday night in the PCC's Pacific Theater.
Along with Fireknife Championship events, on Saturday, May 19, visitors have the opportunity to attend the Samoan Cultural High School Arts Festival. Students from Hawai‘i high schools will demonstrate their Samoan cultural knowledge and skills in friendly competitions such as basket weaving, coconut husking, banana peeling, fire making, singing, dancing, and oration. PCC visitors are welcome to watch these competitions in the Pacific Theater beginning at 9 a.m.
Sponsored by Coca-Cola, Cirque du Soleil, Electric Pencil, Galumalemana Lester W.B. Moore, Hawaiian Airlines, Henry S. Mataalii & Company, Turtle Bay Resort, and the PCC, this annual competition draws spectators from around the world.
Tickets for tomorrow night's competition for kama‘aina are $8 for adults, $6 for children ages 3-11. Seats are almost sold out for the finals on Saturday night. Tickets for the finals are $40 for adults and $30 for children ages 3-11. Call 293-3333 to make reservations. Visit the PCC website at www.polynesia.com for updates on the results of the 15th Annual World Fireknife Dance Competition.
Since its beginning in 1963, the Polynesian Cultural Center has entertained more than 33 million visitors by preserving the spirit and cultures of Polynesia. This week, all guests are invited to attend the Fireknife Championships and even learn the ancient art of fireknife dancing first-hand during free, on-site seminars in the Samoan Village.
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