
le kaua ailao world fireknife competition
Date: Saturday, June 5, 2027
Time: Doors Open at 5 pm | Program Begins at 5:30 pm
Cost: $35 Per Adult | $20 Per Keiki (5-12 years old)
About This Event: The Hawaiʻi Kuauli Pacific & Asia Cultural Festival, along with our sponsors, is proud to present the 7th 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.
Registration Information:
Registration for the Le Kaua Ailao Competition will be opening soon! Competitors are invited to showcase their skill, discipline, and passion for the art of ailao in two divisions: Vaitaimi, for boys ages 11–17, and Matua, for men ages 18+. Stay tuned for early registration details, competition information, and important deadlines.
Early Bird Registration: $80
Late Registration: $150
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
$1,000
Specialty Single Fireknife
THIRD PLACE
$500
Specialty Single Fireknife
LE KAUA AILAO CHAMPIONS
VAITAIMI WINNERS

2026 VAITAIMI WINNERS
FIRST PLACE: Ninjah Daoang
SECOND PLACE: KJ Volavola
THRID PLACE: Moji Volavola
2025
FIRST PLACE: Lanikaula Woodward
SECOND PLACE: Lopaki Makiao
THIRD PLACE: Keaka Brewster
2024
FIRST PLACE: Lanikaula Woodward
SECOND PLACE: King Jireh Tanuvasa
THIRD PLACE: Kali Volavola
2023
FIRST PLACE: Tua Moananu
SECOND PLACE: Lanikaula Woodward
THIRD PLACE: Etana Lopez
2022
FIRST PLACE: Toa Milford
SECOND PLACE: Lanikaula Woodward
THIRD PLACE: Tua Moananu
2021
FIRST PLACE: Carmine Taetuna-Fautanu
SECOND PLACE: Makoa Nielsen-Cabagason
THIRD PLACE: Kekai Nielsen-Cabagason
MATUA WINNERS

2026 MATUA WINNERS
FIRST PLACE: Te Maioha Makekau
SECOND PLACE: Leatitoafaiga Te’o
THRID PLACE: Lanikaula Woodward
2025
FIRST PLACE: Matuni Vaiaoga
SECOND PLACE: Kepanipaʻa Demaso
THIRD PLACE: Toa Milford
2024
FIRST PLACE: Matuni Vaiaoga
SECOND PLACE: Carmine Taetuna-Fautanu
THIRD PLACE: Leatitoafaiga Te’o
2023
FIRST PLACE: VJ Tiumalu Jr.
SECOND PLACE: Carmine Taetuna-Fautanu
THIRD PLACE: Kepanipaʻa Demaso
2022
FIRST PLACE: Matuni Vaiaoga
SECOND PLACE: Kepanipaʻa Demaso
THIRD PLACE: Peleiholani Brown
2021
FIRST PLACE: Peleiholani Brown
SECOND PLACE: Leatitoafaiga Te’o
THIRD PLACE: Kuinise Leiataua Jr.




