Mikaele Oloa Captures His Third Title in Five Years
La‘ie, Hawai‘i – May 16, 2009 – While the finalists were the same from last year's battle, there was nothing routine about the competition at the 17th Annual World Fireknife Championships at the Polynesian Cultural Center. The sold-out crowd erupted in cheers when 19-year-old Mikaele Oloa from Waialua, Hawaii, took the title for the third time, narrowly edging out his closest competitor, Joseph Cadousteau, 29, of Papeete, Tahiti.
The three finalists spun their knives faster, threw them higher and incorporated new tricks into their routines as they tried to top each other. After placing second in the 2008 competition, Oloa came back to prove that he was still the world's best by unseating the reigning champion and his cousin, Via Tiumalu, 17, of Orlando, Fla. Tiumalu placed third overall in the competition. In winning his third championship, Oloa is only the third dancer to ever win more than two championships and joins three-time world champion David Galeai and four-time world champion Pati Levasa. Originally from Orlando, Fla., Oloa moved to Oahu last year and currently resides in Waialua.
"People were shaking their heads after each round of competition – it was virtually impossible to even hazard a guess as to who took the title," said Delsa Moe, PCC's director of cultural presentations and one of the program emcees. "Our event separates good fireknife dancers from the great fireknife dancers, but in the end there can only be one champion - Mikaele."
Oloa was presented a ceremonial nifo oti, the traditional Samoan weapon from which the fireknife was borne, and awarded $4,000. Cadousteau and Tiumalu also received ceremonial nifo oti for their accomplishments, and took home $2,000 and $1,000 respectively.
Video and photo clips were posted throughout the competition on the PCC's blog at www.polynesia.com/blog, so fans can relive their favorite moments, comment and share highlights with family and friends. In addition, live updates and photos were posted on PCC's Twitter page at www.twitter.com/polynesia.
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.
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.
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Contact:
Amy Hennessey or Maria Quidez
(808) 531-0244
