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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)

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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!

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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
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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

$1,000

Specialty Single Fireknife

THIRD PLACE

$500

Specialty Single Fireknife

LE KAUA AILAO CHAMPIONS
VAITAIMI WINNERS
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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

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​2024

FIRST PLACE: Lanikaula Woodward

SECOND PLACE: King Jireh Tanuvasa

THIRD PLACE: Kali Volavola

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​2023

FIRST PLACE: Tua Moananu

SECOND PLACE: Lanikaula Woodward

THIRD PLACE: Etana Lopez

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​2022

FIRST PLACE: Toa Milford

SECOND PLACE: Lanikaula Woodward

THIRD PLACE: Tua Moananu

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​2021

FIRST PLACE: Carmine Taetuna-Fautanu

SECOND PLACE: Makoa Nielsen-Cabagason

THIRD PLACE: Kekai Nielsen-Cabagason

MATUA WINNERS
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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

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​2024

FIRST PLACE: Matuni Vaiaoga

SECOND PLACE: Carmine Taetuna-Fautanu

THIRD PLACE: Leatitoafaiga Te’o

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​2023

FIRST PLACE: VJ Tiumalu Jr.

SECOND PLACE: Carmine Taetuna-Fautanu

THIRD PLACE: Kepanipaʻa Demaso

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​2022

FIRST PLACE: Matuni Vaiaoga

SECOND PLACE: Kepanipaʻa Demaso

THIRD PLACE: Peleiholani Brown

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​2021

FIRST PLACE:  Peleiholani Brown

SECOND PLACE: Leatitoafaiga Te’o

THIRD PLACE: Kuinise Leiataua Jr.

2025 EVENT SPONSORS

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