Kahuku High 2008 "taupou"The Polynesian Cultural Center's 16th annual World Fire Knife Championships from May 14-17, 2008, and the Samoan High School Cultural Arts Festival on the last day — including a Kahuku High group — proved exciting and fun . . . and if you couldn't be there, here are a few highlights:

First, the 2008 Fire Knife Champions were:

2008 PCC World Fire Knife Champions

Tiumalu (center), 1st place; Oloa (left), 2nd place;
Cadousteau (right), 3rd place

  • Viavia "VJ" Tiumalu, a 16-year-old high school sophomore from Orlando, Florida, 1st place. In addition to the World Championship title, Tiumalu won a $4,000 cash prize and a large ceremonial knife created by event founder Pulefano Galea'i.
  • Mikaele Oloa, a previous two-time champion, also from Orland (who recently moved to Waialua), 2nd place. Oloa won a $2,000 cash prize and a ceremonial knife.
  • Joseph Cadousteau from Papeete, Tahiti, a three-time second-place finisher, 3rd place. His prize included a $1,000 cash prize and a ceremonial knife.
  • Tiumalu and Oloa won the men's duet title — both this year and last year.
  • Justeen Castillo took 1st place in the women's division
  • Julius Tafiti of Laie won 1st place in the Junior Division (12-17)
  • His brother, Achilles Tafiti, won 1st place in the Junior Division (6-11)

For more on the PCC's events…

Kahuku High at PCC festival 2008 

Kahuku High at PCC Samoan festival 2008