The 30th Annual World Fireknife Championship tickets are now available

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS, APPLICATIONS AND TO LEARN MORE!

This May, 2023, the Polynesian Cultural Center is pleased to once again present the excitement and beauty of the annual 30th World Fireknife Championships. Our full schedule of competition and events, including the popular “We are Samoa” high school exhibition will be offered across four nights. We are also happy to provide those who cannot attend in person access to our live streaming through Live Feed. This service available through our Facebook page.

Click on THIS LINK on any performance night and select “Follow” for access to the live feed. 

Junior Division first place winner, Elway Tora displays his winning skills

Last year’s Junior Division first place winner, Elway Tora displays his winning skills

Be amazed by our Junior and Intermediary competitors on Wed, May 6rd, 6:30pm

 Our first night will highlight our amazing youth in the Junior and Intermediary competition. Think the adult competitors are amazing? Wait until you see the young people! You’ll keep asking yourself “how did they do that”? These contestants leave nothing on the table – every knife skill has been practiced over and over. You can tell by the pride in the eyes of their parents, and the loud “CHEEEEEEHOOOOOO” how much these youth are nurtured and supported. Its an experience you’ll never forget!

Mamalu Lilo (left), Mose Lilo (middle), and Matagi Lilo (right) pose with their prizes.

Our proud 1st, 2nd and 3rd place Intermediate winners from 2022

Island based High School Samoan Clubs exhibit their skills, Saturday, May 6th

On May 6th our local high schools send their Samoan Club members to exhibit their skills and culture. Ticket holders will be able to cheer on their favorite club members as they participate in friendly competitions and exhibits. The event will begin at 9:00am in the Pacific Theater. Don’t delay on obtaining tickets for this event – due to enthusiastic family members, these tickets go very quickly.

Each year “We Are Samoa” showcases the skills and enthusiasm of our youth – tickets go fast, so purchase them soon

One week later, on Wednesday, May 10th, 2022 it’s the grownups turn

Prepare for a long night of drum pounding, heat blasting excitement as we hold both the Preliminaries and Finals for our Women’s and Men’s division of the 30th World Fireknife Championship. The action begins at 6:30 pm, so don’t be late! These tickets are also limited and reservations are open. You don’t want to miss your chance to see courage, skill and strength in action, so grab those reservations as soon as possible. 

For those who cannot make it to the live competition, we will be streaming through Live Feed, available through our Facebook page. Click on THIS LINK on any performance night and select “Follow” for access to the live feed. 

Hale Motuapuaka spinning the fireknife

Last year’s winner, Hale Motuapuaka shows his winning moves

Our 30th World Fireknife finale, held Thursday, May 11th is a double header  

Our three finalists will take the stage during a special intermission during the Polynesian Cultural Center’s nightly show “HA: Breath of Life” where years of practice, blood, sweat, tears and BURNS cumulate in a competition you’ll never forget. Immediately following the 2nd half of HA, our victor will be crowned, presented with a beautifully hand-carved fireknife and crown and carried around the stage to receive their well-earned standing ovation. It’s a heart-pounding experience you do not want to miss. Please be respectful of the evening show and arrive before it begins at 7:30pm.


Are you interested in applying as a fireknife competitor?

 

Competitor Applications are available online 

 Tickets are available on our website or by calling 808-293-3333. Remember, there will be limited seating, so call NOW! 

 

A special thanks to our amazing, informational and entertaining Masters of Ceremony, Steve Laulu and Delsa Moe, from the Polynesian Cultural Center.


 

Read more about the History of Fireknife Dancing

Learn the Rules of Fireknife Dancing  

View videos from past competitions

To view our live feeds, click on THIS LINK on any performance night and select “Follow”.