Polynesian Cultural Center night show performers
give the royal treatment to Mikaele Oloa, who minutes
earlier on May 16 won the World Fireknife Championship…
for the third time. — Photo by Mike Foley

 

The runners-up in the PCC's 17th annual World Fireknife Championship were:

 

• Joseph Cadousteau of Papeete, Tahiti, 2nd place
•  Viavia "VJ" Tiumalu Jr. of Orlando, Florida, 3rd place

In addition to the titles, Oloa won a $4,000 cash prize and the oversized ceremonial fire knife designed by Pulefano Galea'i, a former fire knife dancer as a young man and later PCC manager who founded the Center's championship event. Cadousteau received a $2,000 check and a ceremonial knife; and Tiumalu won a $1,000 prize and a knife.

 

Tiumalu's brother, Rex Tiumalu, 16, won the event's junior (ages 12-17) championship; and Hale Motu'apuaka, 8, of Honolulu won the junior division (ages 6-11).

 

More details will be published next week.