


The Hawaiʻi Kuauli Pacific & Asia Cultural Festival along with our sponsors are proud to present the
6th Annual Le Kaua Ailao World Fireknife Competition!
Watch the skill and mastery of our champion fireknife dancers as they battle to be named the
Le Kaua Ailao Champion!
This is a qualifying competition for the
World Fireknife Competition.
Saturday, June 6, 2026
Doors Open at 5 pm
Program Begins at 5:30 pm
Tickets & Schedule
$35 Per Adult
$20 Per Keiki (5-12 years old)
Competitor Information
$80 Early Registration: Feb 10th - May 11th, 2026
$150 Registration: May 12th - 30th, 2026
REGISTRATION CLOSES MAY 31ST, 2026
Vaitaimi (Ages 11-17) | Matua (Ages 18+)

2026 JUDGES

MIKAELE OLOA
Mikaele Oloa is the son of Isitolo and Evelyn Oloa. Originally born in Honolulu, Hawaii, Mika and his family spent time all across the country performing and growing as entertainers, all the way from the calm town of Laie to the busy city of Orlando. As a five-time World Fire Knife Champion, Mika has built a legacy of success that he now proudly passes on to the students of his fire knife school, Mauga Mu. His 19-title career has also taken him to competitions and places all over the world, not only as a competitor, but also as a judge. He currently resides in Waialua, Hawaii with his wife Lagi and the rest of his family, living and working as a nightly performer for Tihati Productions and as the owner of his own business.

ALEX GALEAI
Alex Galeai is a man of many talents. Following in the footsteps of his father, Pulefano Galeai, Alex started his fire knife career at a young age, performing at the Polynesian Cultural Center and all around the world. Aside from being a former World Fire Knife Champion, Alex has gone on to master many other cultural arts such as music, drumming, dance, and language. His skills have led him to compete in different arenas, winning awards in different Tahitian Heiva competitions, Maori kapahaka competitions, and more. He currently resides in Laie, Hawaii with his wife Shannon and three children, sharing his talents as a teacher and instructor at BYU-Hawaii, as well as being a show leader and creative director for Tihati Productions.

MJ MATA'U
Malo James Mataʻu, better known as “MJ” or the “Speed Demon”, has been one to impress and wow the crowds fronting both show and competition stages all over the world. In his early years as a junior competitor, MJ racked up a number of titles at the World Fire Knife Championships in the intermediate divisions, eventually moving up to the senior division where he would win the title of 2nd Runner Up in both 2014 and tie with Mikaele Oloa for 1st Runner Up 2013. Since then, he has turned his efforts towards serving his community both with and without fire knife dancing, leading the efforst of the Siva Afi Worldwide movement, as well as working with Borthwick mortuary to care for those who have been called back to Heaven. Mj currently resides in Laie, Hawaii with his wife Lilla and the rest of his aiga.
2025 PRIZES
MATUA
(Males Ages 18 +)
FIRST PLACE
$2,500
Specialty Single Fireknife
SECOND PLACE
$1,500
Specialty Single Fireknife
THIRD PLACE
$1,000
Specialty Single Fireknife
VAITAIMI
(Males Ages 11-17)
FIRST PLACE
$1,200
Specialty Single Fireknife
SECOND PLACE
$800
Specialty Single Fireknife
THIRD PLACE
$500
Specialty Single Fireknife
LE KAUA AILAO CHAMPIONS
2025 Vaitaimi

1st Place
Lanikaula Woodward
2nd Place
Lopaki Makiao
3rd Place
Keaka Brewster
2024 Vaitaimi

1st Place
Lanikaula Woodward
2nd Place
King Jreh Tanuvasa
3rd Place
Kali Volavola
2023 Vaitaimi

1st Place
Tua Moananu
2nd Place
Lanikaula Woodward
3rd Place
Etana Lopez
2022 Vaitaimi

1st Place
Toa Milford
2nd Place
Lanikaula Woodward
3rd Place
Tua Moananu
2021 Vaitaimi

1st Place
Carmine Taetuna-Fautanu
2nd Place
Makoa Nielsen-Cabagason
3rd Place
Kekai Nielsen-Cabagason
2025 Matua

1st Place
Matuni Vaiaoga
2nd Place
Kepanipa'a Damaso
3rd Place
Toa Milford
2024 Matua

1st Place
Matuni Vaiaoga
2nd Place
Carmine Taetuna Fautanu
3rd Place
Wallen Te'o
2023 Matua

1st Place
VJ Tiumalu Jr.
2nd Place
Carmine Taetuna-Fautanu
3rd Place
Kepanipa'a Demaso
Matuni Vaiaoga

1st Place
Matuni Vaiaoga
2nd Place
Kepanipa'a Demaso
3rd Place
Peleiholani Brown
2021 Matua

1st Place
Peleiholani Brown
2nd Place
Wallen Te'o
3rd Place
Kuinise Leiataua Jr.




