JUNIOR PACIFIC FIREKNIFE DANCE CHAMPIONSHIP AT PCC IS A FAMILY AFFAIR WITH PAGO PAGO'S LAVATAI BOYS TAKING TOP TWO SPOTS
Utah's Tennessee Suesue Wins 6-11 Year Old Category
La'ie – With Samoan culture highlighting the weekend festivities at the Polynesian Cultural Center, it's only fitting that two brothers from Pago Pago, American Samoa win the top two slots in the 15th Annual Junior Pacific Fireknife Championships. Jeurell J. Lavatai, 16, took top honors in the 12-17 year old category and his brother Brandonlee Lavatai, 14, came in second, with Laie's Julius Tafiti, 15, in third place.
The top three performed increasingly daring routines that showcased their speed, strength and stamina with exciting maneuvers that thrilled the crowd of more than 1,000 in the PCC's Hale Aloha Theater.
"This is our 15th anniversary for our annual competition, so we're very happy that we had our biggest turnout ever for this part of the festival," said Delsa Moe, competition emcee and director of cultural presentations at the Polynesian Cultural Center. "We've worked hard to enhance the event and I think the increase in attendance and participation is a testament to the growing popularity of fireknife dancing as a cultural sport."
In the third night of the now four-day competition, the kids were the real stars of the show as 21 competitors ranging in ages from 6 to 17 took the stage to compete for the title of Junior Pacific Fireknife Champion in their respective age categories.
Along with a specially designed set of trophy fireknives, Jeurell Lavatai also received a check for $800. His brother received $600 for second place and Tafiti took home $400.
First place in the 6-11 year old category went to Tennessee Suesue, an 11-year-old from Salt Lake City, Utah. Second place was awarded to Marcus Muti, 9, from Laie and another Laie boy, 8-year-old Achilles Tafiti took third place.
In addition to the Fireknife Championship events on Saturday, May 19, visitors have the opportunity to attend the Samoan Cultural High School Arts Festival in the PCC's Pacific Theater starting at 9 a.m. 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.
Sponsored by 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 finals are $40 for adults and $30 for children ages 3-11, but there are very few seats left. Call 293-3333 to make reservations and check on available seating. Visit the PCC website at http://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.
