Polynesian Cultural Center Hosts 17th Annual Competition
La‘ie, Hawai‘i – May 14, 2009 – After three hours of preliminary competition, only nine competitors out of 16 remain to vie for the World Fireknife Championships at the Polynesian Cultural Center. The cosmopolitan competition featured dancers from seven different countries including New Zealand, China, Japan and Tahiti.
The competition was fiercer than ever with three former world champions competing head-to-head: Pati Levasa, Mikaele Oloa and reigning 2008 World Fireknife Champion, Viavia Tiumalu.
It was no easy task for the judges to choose just nine to advance to the semifinals as all the competitors had solid performances, but in the end only the best can move on. The semifinalists include:
- Jeurell Lavatai – American Samoa
- Dana Teai - Tahiti
- Pati Levasa – Hong Kong
- Brandon "Fue" Maneafaiga – Wai‘anae, O‘ahu
- Joseph Cadousteau - Tahiti
- Mikaele Oloa – Waialua, O‘ahu
- Lopeti Tuua – Lahaina, Maui
- Via Tiumalu – Orlando, Florida
- Chesrveigh (Jesse) Usiel - Guam
In addition to the competition, a surprise exhibition performance by a seven-man group, "Samoan Spartans," led by David Galeai, also a former World Fireknife Champion thrilled the audience.
Video and photo clips are being posted throughout the competition on the PCC's blog at www.polynesia.com/blog so fans can track their favorites and share highlights with family and friends. In addition, live updates will be posted on PCC's Twitter page at www.twitter.com/polynesia.
Tomorrow night, May 15, the semifinal competition at Hale Aloha Theater will begin at 7:45 p.m., and only three will move on to compete in the final competition on Saturday night. On Saturday, May 16, PCC's Pacific Theater will be centerstage for the finalists during the intermission of the 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Horizons night show. The scores from each performance will be combined for the winning score, which will be announced at the end of the 8 p.m. show.
Before these nine competitors take the stage Friday, junior fireknife dancers as young as six years old will showcase their skills in the Junior Pacific Fireknife Championships starting at 7:45 p.m. in the Hale Aloha Theater. The 6-11 year olds will have seven competitors, while 16 challengers will compete in the 12-17 year old category.
In addition, the Warrior Duets Competition will take place on Friday, May 16, following the junior competition. Don't let the name fool you, groups of up to four dancers are also welcome to compete.
Along with Fireknife Championship events on Saturday, May 16, visitors have the opportunity to attend the Samoa Festival High School Cultural Presentation. Students from five 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. Seats are reserved for this very popular event, so early ticket purchase is recommended.
Sponsored by Henry S. Mataalii Company, Hawaiian Airlines, Turtle Bay Resort, Electric Pencil, Pepsi, Bank of Hawaii, Galumalemana Lester W.B. Moore, Hawaii Tourism Authority and the City & County of Honolulu, this annual competition draws spectators from around the world.
Tickets for this weekend's events can still be purchased for just $10 for adults and $6 for kids ages 5 to 11 for the Friday's competitions held in the Hale Aloha Theater and the Samoa Festival High School Cultural Presentation. Saturday night's event can only be viewed with purchase of a ticket to the Horizons Night Show. Visit www.Polynesia.com for reservation information or call 800-367-7060. In Hawaii, call 808-293-3333.
Founded in 1963 as a non-profit organization, the PCC has entertained more than 34 million visitors, while preserving and portraying the culture, arts, and crafts of Polynesia to the rest of the world. In addition, the PCC has provided financial assistance to 17,000 young people from over 70 different countries while they attend Brigham Young University-Hawai'i. As a non-profit organization, 100 percent of PCC's revenue is used for daily operations and to support education.
###
Contact:
Amy Hennessey or Maria Quidez
(808) 531-0244
