22nd Annual World Fireknife Championships to Light up We Are Samoa Festival at Polynesian Cultural Center
– Annual cultural event features world-class fireknife competition and local high school cultural arts exhibition, May 7–10 –
What: We Are Samoa Festival
22nd Annual World Fireknife Championships
The world’s most talented fireknife dancers come together at the Polynesian Cultural Center in four nights of heated competition. Fireknife dancers from as young as six years old to the most experienced and celebrated performers will compete in their respective divisions for the chance to win the coveted title of World Fireknife Champion. Attendees will be treated to a cultural experience unlike any other, and the best of the best will be crowned a World Champion in both Junior and Senior Divisions.
High School Samoan Cultural Arts Festival
Students from across Hawaii will demonstrate their knowledge of Samoan culture by competing in a series of traditional practices including protocol and speech making, basket weaving, coconut husking and fire making, costuming, poise, dance movements and interpretation.
When: May 7–10
Wednesday, May 7 at 7:45 p.m. – Hale Aloha
Senior Division Preliminary Competition
Thursday, May 8 at 7:45 p.m. – Hale Aloha
Junior Division Competitions (Ages 6–11 & 12–17)
Senior Division Semi-Finals (Ages 18+)
Group Competition (Open)
Friday, May 9 at 7:30 p.m. – Pacific Theater
Senior Division Finals – Night One (during intermission of Ha: Breath of Life evening show)
Saturday, May 10 – Pacific Theater
9 a.m. – 2 p.m. – High School Samoan Cultural Arts Festival
7:30 p.m. – Senior Division Finals Night Two and Crowning (competition during intermission of Ha: Breath of Life evening show, awards immediately following conclusion at 9:00 p.m.)
Where: Polynesian Cultural Center
55-370 Kamehameha Hwy., Laie, Hawaii
Admission: Tickets for May 7 & 8 are $10 for adults and $6 for keiki (ages 5–11). Kamaaina Annual Pass holders and full-day ticket holders receive free admission for the first two nights as well as the Samoan Cultural High School Arts Festival on Saturday.
To join in on the final two nights of festivities, May 9 & 10, visitors must purchase a reserved seating ticket to the Ha: Breath of Life evening show each night. Ticket prices start at $39.95. Kamaaina, please call the box office for special rates.
For more information or to make reservations, call the box office at (800) 367-7060 or visit www.polynesia.com. In Hawaii, call (808) 293-3333.
About the Polynesian Cultural Center
Located on Oahu’s beautiful North Shore, the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) is the only cultural tourist attraction of its kind in the world and a favorite of all visitors to Hawaii. An engaging, interactive celebration showcasing the people, culture, arts and crafts of Polynesia, the PCC has entertained more than 37 million visitors from around the world in its first 50 years (1963-2013). A non-profit organization, 100 percent of PCC’s revenue goes to daily operations and to support the education of its student-employees from neighboring Brigham Young University-Hawaii.