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NewsHawaiiUnited States • 2011-04-25

Select the country and object's type COMPETITION IGNITES AT THE POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER’S 19TH ANNUAL WORLD FIREKNIFE CHAMPIONSHIPS “We Are Samoa Festival” Showcases Fiery Skills and Samoan Culture

WHAT:

We Are Samoa Festival

This annual festival includes two must-see events for visitors and kamaaina alike.

19th Annual World Fireknife Championship

From Wednesday to Saturday, acrobatic moves and death-defying tricks will be combined with ancient Samoan culture to make this four-day phenomenon more exhilarating than ever as the world’s most talented fireknife dancers battle for the title of “World Fireknife Champion.”

High School Samoan Cultural Festival

On Saturday, Hawaii high school students will demonstrate their own cultural knowledge of Samoan traditions with exhibitions in fire making, coconut husking, basket weaving and more.

WHEN:

May 11 – 14, 2011

Wednesday, May 11 – 7:45 p.m. (Hale Aloha Theater)

- Men’s Preliminary Competition

Thursday, May 12 – 7:45 p.m. (Hale Aloha Theater)

- Junior Divisions: Ages 6 -11 and Ages 12-17

- Men’s Semi-Finals

- Group Competition

Friday, May 13 – 7:30 p.m. (Pacific Theater)

- Finals, Night One (during intermission of Ha: Breath of Life evening show)

Saturday, May 14 (Pacific Theater)

- 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. – Samoan Cultural High School Festival

- 7:30 p.m. – Finals, Night Two and Crowning (during intermission of Ha: Breath of Life evening show; awards at 9 p.m.)

WHERE:

Polynesian Cultural Center

55-370 Kamehameha Hwy., Laie, Hawaii

WHY:

To share and educate others about the Samoan culture and challenging art of Samoan fireknife while also

Competitors will include:

Men’s Division

- Three-Time Champion, David Galeai

- 2008 Champion, Viavia (VJ) Tiumalu

- Two-Time Junior (ages 12-17) Division Champion, Rex Tiumalu

12-17 Junior Division

- Junior (ages 6-11) Division Reigning Champion, Preston Weber

- Six returning competitors

- 6–11 Junior Division

- Two-Time Champion, Hale Motuapuaka

Groups

- Brother Duet and Reigning Champions, Jaz and Uamana Castillo

- American Samoa family group, Brandonlee, Jeurell and Malakai Lavatai

VISUALS:

The world’s top adult and keiki fireknife dancers from around the world will converge on Oahu to put their skills to the test in heated competition to determine the world’s best fireknife dancers. Traditional Samoan garb and colorful malo adorn performers as they spin fire-lit knives at high speeds. The sounds of powerful drumming mixes with death-defying moves and stylish mastery of knives to produce stunning imagery.

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