May 10, 2023 was a special night for women’s sports as the Polynesian Cultural Center welcomed five amazing female warriors to the stage during the 30^th Annual World Fireknife Competition, 2023 – Women’s Division.

“Just know, the women are just as good as the men, aren’t they?” Master of Ceremonies Telesia Tonga  confidently stated at the beginning of the event.

Her partner for the evening, John “Sione” Milford, knew the answer immediately. “Oh yes,” he replied with a firm nod of the head.

After a fierce competition, the results are as follows:

Jeralee Galeai of Lāʻie, Hawaii

Champion – 2023 Women’s Division – World Fireknife Championship

For the second time, Jeri Galeai captured the Women’s Division title. She commanded the stage the moment she entered. Beginning with a humble bow, she then let her talent shine. Her spins reached lightning speed, her tosses went so high, and her legwork was swift and exact. The double knife section began with her purposefully dousing one of the knives and relighting the ends by carrying a flame from her mouth. She bounced her knives back beautifully as she tapped them on the floor and switched them back and forth from one hand to another with ease.

“I was so nervous!” she shared afterwards. But it’s not a lack of confidence in her skills that makes her say that. It’s her humility and drive for perfection.

“I was so happy that the crowd was so supportive and so grateful for the drummers”, she added. “They worked so hard.”

What’s instore for Jeri? “I am definitely looking at competing again. But also, I want to help younger girls. I would love to guide them and help them to fulfill their dreams of competing at the World Fireknife Competition in the future.

 

Aaliyah Ava of Laie, Hawaii

1st Runner-up – 2023 Women’s Division – World Fireknife Championship

 Ava began quickly and never let up. She transitioned through a number of moves, switching direction and speed at will. During her double knife set, the speed and precision continued. Most impressive is a move where both the knives and Aaliya are all spinning in opposing circles. She is a powerful performer in her own right, and we are sure to see more of her in the future.

 

 

Hoku Matalasi Canto of Altadena, California

2nd Runner-up, 2023 Women’s Division – World Fireknife Championship

Hoku Canto performed last, but she certainly wasn’t the least. Her interchange between powerful to graceful moves was breathtaking. A notable move was in passing the fireknife between her feet while she stepped determinedly back and forth. She also could perform a beautiful backbend while quickly twirling the knife during her floor moves. Her enthusiasm and her beautiful smile were simply mesmerizing. Great job, Hoku!

 

Josephine Matafeo Brown of Samoa

Competitor, 2023 Women’s Division – World Fireknife Championship

With a shout of “TALOFA”, Josephine started the competition with a powerful toss and that ever  popular line of fire on the floor. She performed a number of moves and her face never stopped smiling and she was such a pleasure to watch.

As Telesia mentioned, “It can’t be an easy thing to start the evening” but she did so with grace and determination. Thank you, Josephine. You have made Samoa and your family very proud, we are sure.

 

Silhouette Lamana Mauga-Sagaiga of Olympia, Washington

Competitor, 2023 Women’s Division – World Fireknife Championship

 

The competition was heightened by the performance of 13-year-old Silhouette Lamana Mauga-Sagaiga. Shocking many, she skipped right over the Intermediate level and applied directly for the Women’s Division. According to the rules, this is allowed, but it will prevent her from ever competing at the Intermediate level from here on out. With her skills, this will certainly not be an issue. Her performance was exciting and polished. She’s already proven herself as a true professional and she can only go up from here.

“I’m just so proud of her,” this year’s champion Jeri Galeai gushed. “This is her first time at the World Fireknife Competition. It was very brave of her to decide to compete at the adult level, especially since she only started training about 9 months ago!”

 

Special Highlight – the girls were also well represented in the Intermediate Category

The presence of female competitors rises every year. In our intermediate division, we had 5 competitors that we would like to honor.

• Lala De Guzman, from Wailahu   
• Hinateata Hafoka, from Laʻie
• Thea Rose Lazaro, from Eva Beach
• Vivianlee Kau, from the Big Island 
• Mateya Ale, from Laʻie

“We are so proud to see these young girls. Talk about brave! There is a warrior goddess that Samoa is known for, the Goddess Nafanua. So it’s very fitting that there are 6 (young women) competing” shared Telesia Tonga, Master of Ceremonies.

———————————–

Read more about this year’s World Fireknife Competition

• We Are Samoa Festival (2023)
• World Fireknife Championship Finale results
• Junior and Intermediate Competition results
• Documentary – Jeri

 

---

Bio of Nina S. Jones, Blogger for the Polynesian Culture Center 

Nina Jones, a mainland gal from way back, is now a transplanted Islander. With her husband of 39 years, she volunteers at the Polynesian Cultural Center. Her hobbies include swimming, traveling, studying and writing about what she is learning from the various Polynesian cultures. Her blogs focus on their history, beliefs, practices and – as an added bonus – delicious food! To her, Polynesia is not just a place to visit, it is a way to live and she is very honored to be able to be a part of their amazing world.