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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+)

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2026 JUDGES
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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.

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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.

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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

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1st Place

Lanikaula Woodward

2nd Place

Lopaki Makiao

3rd Place

Keaka Brewster

2024 Vaitaimi

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1st Place

Lanikaula Woodward

2nd Place

King Jreh Tanuvasa

3rd Place

Kali Volavola

2023 Vaitaimi

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1st Place

Tua Moananu

2nd Place

Lanikaula Woodward

3rd Place

Etana Lopez

2022 Vaitaimi

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1st Place

Toa Milford

2nd Place

Lanikaula Woodward

3rd Place

Tua Moananu

2021 Vaitaimi

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1st Place

Carmine Taetuna-Fautanu

2nd Place

Makoa Nielsen-Cabagason

3rd Place

Kekai Nielsen-Cabagason

2025 Matua

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1st Place

Matuni Vaiaoga

2nd Place

Kepanipa'a Damaso

3rd Place

Toa Milford

2024 Matua

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1st Place

Matuni Vaiaoga

2nd Place

Carmine Taetuna Fautanu

3rd Place

Wallen Te'o

2023 Matua

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1st Place

VJ Tiumalu Jr.

2nd Place

Carmine Taetuna-Fautanu

3rd Place

Kepanipa'a Demaso

Matuni Vaiaoga

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1st Place

Matuni Vaiaoga

2nd Place

Kepanipa'a Demaso

3rd Place

Peleiholani Brown

2021 Matua

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1st Place

Peleiholani Brown

2nd Place

Wallen Te'o

3rd Place

Kuinise Leiataua Jr.

2025 EVENT SPONSORS

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