15-YEAR OLD OLOA TAKES THE TITLE OF WORLD FIREKNIFE CHAMPION AT POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER

MAY 15, 2005 - Laie, HI – Orlando’s Mikaele Oloa came to the Polynesian Cultural Center ready to win and he did just that. The 15-year-old was planning a third try for the junior championship title, but asked instead to move up to the big show. It was a question that would change his life.
He bested the best of the men and came out on top as the winner.

The competition was tight as each of the challengers tried to claim their spot as the world’s best. In a close decision with just one point’s difference, Hogan Toomalatai, 17, of Apia, Samoa, placed second and following in third place was Brandon “Fue” Maneafaiga, 23, of Waianae, Hawaii.

“It’s an awesome feeling to win,” said Oloa. “I’ve been practicing every day and working on a few moves of my own. I learned the basics from my dad and then added my own style. It’s such an honor to compete in the men’s division with all these great dancers. I can’t believe I won.”

Via Tiumalu, Jr., Oloa’s friend and practice partner also won this year with the 2005 Junior Pacific Fireknife Champion on Friday at the PCC’s Hale Aloha Theater.

“I knew he was going to win,” said Tiumalu, Jr. “He’s the man! It’s so awesome for both of us to come here and win.”

The scores for the win came from a combined tally from the 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. evening shows. In the first show, Oloa was the only competitor who didn’t drop his knife. The second show narrowed the margin even more with all three competitors fighting for each point.

“This was the toughest competition I’ve judged in the past 5 years,” said fireknife judge Alvin Schwenke. “Toomalatai was more powerful and aggressive, but the new moves shown by Oloa put him ahead to win. All of the competitors were great and I expect the challenge will be even better next year.”

Each winner in the World Fireknife Championships received a check and other gifts including a specially made trophy fireknife. First place received $4,000, second place earned $2,000 and third place collected $1,000.

Sponsored by Coca-Cola, Cirque du Soleil, Electric Pencil, Hawaiian Airlines, Henry S. Mataalii & Company, Turtle Bay Resort and the PCC, the annual competition drew nearly 8,000 spectators over the course of three days from around the world.

Disclaimer: Article and photos taken from the Polynesian Cultural Center.