2022 Competition kicked off by Junior & Intermediate Fireknife warriors  

The Junior and Intermediate Division kicked-off the 2022 World Fireknife Competition on May 4, 2022! Here we witnessed some amazing young talent ignite on the stage. The Junior Division, ages 6-11, and the Intermediate Division, ages 12-17, demonstrated skills that left the audience screaming CHEEHOO’s into the night! 

Fifteen(15) younger competitors competed in the World Fireknife Competition Championships this year.

Our Young warriors gave their ALL!  

In the Junior Division, the Ko’olauloa region of O’ahu was strongly represented with Elway Tora (11) of Laie winning the title of champion, Kalivati “KJ” Volavola (10) of Kahuku in second, and Manasseh Tuliloa (9) of Laie in third. It was hard to believe that these competitors range between the ages of 9-11! They performed with such excitement and enthusiasm that it was hard not to cheer for each one of them.  

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

The Lilo Brothers took all three titles!  

The Lilo brothers take home the win!

Later in the night, the Intermediate division took center stage. The crowd soon saw the talent of the Lilo brothers from Ewa Beach as they swept the stage and took home all three titles. Mose Lilo (14) won first place. His brothers Matagi Lilo (16) took 2nd and Mamalu Lilo (13) took 3rd.  

Mose Lilo was named the first-place winner in the Intermediate division

Remembering the people who have paved the way fuels our flames and helps us continue to grow. From the youngest warriors to the men and women who displayed their talents, it’s easy to see that the future of World Fireknife Championship is BRIGHT! Check out the World Fireknife site for more info and be sure to come next year so you can see for yourself just what it takes to be a World Fireknife Champion! 

Bio of Cari Phung, Graphic Designer at the Polynesian Cultural Center 

Story by Cari Phung, who is currently a Graphic Designer at the Polynesian Cultural Center. She has worked as an English and Korean tour guide for a year at the Polynesian Cultural Center before switching to an English tutor and then a blog writer for the Center. During an internship, she wrote several blogs for Rice Love, a non-profit organization striving to help families in India have access to food. She graduated BYU–H and majored  in graphic design and minored in professional writing. She is constantly looking for ways to share her love for culture and its continued perpetuation.