The Hawaiʻi Kuauli Pacific & Asia Cultural Festival along with our sponsors are excited to announce the launch of the
First Annual World Fireknife Competition
"Le Kaua Ailao"
Streaming Live on Saturday June 12, 2021
Join us, as some of the best Samoan fire knife dancers from around the world compete to become the Le Kaua Ailao Champion. This is the first fire knife competition to ever be held in Kailua-Kona - so you won't want to miss it! Catch the skill and mastery of our champion fire knife dancers as they battle to be named the best!
REGISTRATION IS CLOSED!
PRIZES
Vaitaimi (Males Ages 11-17)
1st Place
$500
Set of Specialty Fire Knives
2nd Place
$300
A Specialty Single Fire Knife
3rd Place
$200
A Specialty Single Fire Knife
Matua (Males Ages 18 +)
1st Place
$1,000
Set of Specialty Fire Knives
2nd Place
$750
A Specialty Single Fire Knife
3rd Place
$500
A Specialty Single Fire Knife
JUDGES
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.
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.
TC THOMPSON
Born and raised in the cultured town of Laie, HI, TC grew up in the heart of Polynesian culture and entertainment on Oahu. As a long time performer and fire knife dancer for Tihati Productions, TC’s skills have seen numerous competition stages, as well as many stages around the world. He has since expanded his skills into being a production and operations manager, while honing his artistic talents in being an amazing tattoo artist, stage decor and props designer, as well as an extremely skilled woods worker and fire knife maker. He currently resides in Makawao, Maui with his beautiful family as an island manager for Tihati Productions.
