The Hawaiʻi Kuauli Pacific & Asia Cultural Festival along with our sponsors are proud to present the
5th Annual Le Kaua Ailao World Fireknife Competition!
Watch the skill and mastery of our champion fireknife dancers as they battle to be named the
Le Kaua Ailao Champion!
This is a qualifying competition for the World Fireknife Competition.
Saturday, June 7, 2025
Doors Open at 5 pm
Program Begins at 5:30 pm
$35 Adults
$20 Keiki (5-12 years old)
2024 COMPETITORS
Vaitaimi (Males Ages 11-17)
Toa Ali'i
Tua Moananu
Moku
Lanikaula
King Jirah
Temana
Kali Jackson
Matua (Males Ages 18 +)
Don Keala
Kahakai
Kealohi
Etana
Flash Gordon
Micahkamuela
Nuʻuanu
Afeleti
Kanohowailuku
Ho'omalu Souza
Carmine Taetuna-Fautanu
Wallen
Matuni Vaiaoga
Moki
Kuinise Leiataua jr.
Kepanipa’a
Mr. Incredible
2024 JUDGES
MIKAELE OLOA
Mikaele Oloa is the son of Isitolo and Evelyn Oloa. Originally born in Honolulu, Hawai'i, Mika and his family spent time all across the country performing and growing as entertainers, all the way from the calm tows of Laie to the busy city of Orlando. As a five-time World Fire Knife Champion, Mika has built a legacy of success that he now proudly passes on to the students of places all over the world, not only as a competitor, but also as a judge. He currently resides in Waialua, Hawai'i with his wife Lagi and the rest of his family, living and working as a nightly performer for Tihati Productions and as the owner of his own business.
ALEX GALEAI
Alex Galeai is a man of many talents. Following in the footsteps of his father, Pulefano Galeai, Alex started his fire knife career at a young age, performing at the Polynesian Cultural Center and all around the world. Aside from being a former World Fire Knife Champion, Alex has gone on to master many other cultural arts such as music, drumming, dance, and language. His skills have led him to compete in different arenas, winning awards in different Tahitian Heiva competitions, Maori kapahaka competitions, and more. He currently resides in Laie, Hawaii with his wife Shannon and three children, sharing his talents as a teacher and instructor at BYU-Hawaii, as well as being a show leader and creative director for Tihati Productions.
MJ MATA'U
Malo Jordan Mataʻu, better known as “MJ” or the “Speed Demon”, has been one to impress and wow the crowds fronting both show and competition stages all over the world. In his early years as a junior competitor, MJ racked up a number of titles at the World Fire Knife Championships in the intermediate divisions, eventually moving up to the senior division where he would win the title of 2nd Runner-Up in both 2014 and tie with Mikaele Oloa for 1st Runner Up 2013. Since then, he has turned his efforts towards serving his community both with and without fire knife dancing, leading the efforts of the Siva Afi Worldwide movement, as well as working with Borthwick Mortuary to care for those who have been called back to Heaven. Mj currently resides in Laie, Hawaii with his wife Lilla and the rest of his aiga.
2024 PRIZES
Vaitaimi (Males Ages 11-17)
1st Place
$800
A Specialty Single Fire Knife
2nd Place
$500
A Specialty Single Fire Knife
3rd Place
$300
A Specialty Single Fire Knife
Matua (Males Ages 18 +)
1st Place
$2,000
A Specialty Single Fire Knife
2nd Place
$1,200
A Specialty Single Fire Knife
3rd Place
$800
A Specialty Single Fire Knife
LE KAUA AILAO CHAMPIONS
Lanikaula Woodward
2024 Vaitaimi Winner
Tua Moananu
2023 Vaitaimi Winner
Toa Milford
2022 Vaitaimi Winner
Carmine Taetuna-Fautanu
2021 Vaitaimi Winner
Matuni Vaiaoga
2024 Matua Winner
VJ Tiumalu, Jr.
2023 Matua Winner
Matuni Vaiaoga
2022 Matua Winner
Peleiholani Brown
2021 Matua Winner