JEROME SLADE

Jerome Slade is our Hawaiʻi Island judge who was born in Long Beach California and raised in Kailua-Kona all his life. He grew up on the grounds of Kamakahonu Bay, watching his uncles dance on the stage at the lūʻau and he knew from a very young age that he wanted to do the same one day.  His father Mataio Slade began to teach Jerome and his brother when they were just 8 years old.  Jerome began traveling with Island Breeze when he was in elementary school and has had the opportunity to perform in Canada, Thailand, Hong Kong and the mainland U.S..  Jerome has a long list of wins in fireknife competitions in Hawaiʻi, including first place in the World Junior Competition and 3rd in the Menʻs Competition.  Jerome currently resides in Kailua-Kona, where he dances fire at resorts along the entire Kona-Kohala Coastline.  Jerome says that his inspiration is his father – “I watched him teach so many fireknife dancers in Hawaiʻi and since I was a young boy, I knew that I wanted to fireknife dance until my arms arenʻt able to move any more!  I love the rush that I get when the knife is lit and I live for the speed of the fire as it spins!” 

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.