CASTILLO NAMED JUNIOR PACIFIC FIREKNIFE CHAMPION AT POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER

Orlando’s Hebron Takes Peewee Pacific Fireknife Title

La‘ie – May 15, 2004 – In the second day of competition for the title of the 12th Annual World Fireknife Championship at the Polynesian Cultural Center, more than 23 kids ranging in ages 6 to 17 took the stage to win the title of Junior Pacific Fireknife Champion in their age categories.

Kaneohe, Hawai‘i’s Jaz Castillo, 15, stood out from the crowd in the 12-17 year-old category with his dramatic performance featuring a blind-folded segment and a fiery demonstration of speed and skill. The Castle High School student has been fireknife dancing for two years.

“I decided to learn fireknife dancing after watching the night show at the Polynesian Cultural Center a lot,” said Castillo. “It inspired me and I told my dad it was what I wanted to do. He started learning as much as he could about it to help me.”

Along with a specially designed trophy fireknife, Castillo also received a check for $800. Second place honors and $600 went to Orlando’s Mikaele Oloa, 14, from Colonial High School. The third place award and $400 went to Malakai Lavatai, 14, from American Samoa.

The top title in the 6-11 year old category went to Orlando, Florida’s Joshua Hebron, age 11. Speedy blades and fast feet gave this 11-year-old from Glenridge Elementary School the edge over 14 other competitors in his category. Second place went to La‘ie, Hawai‘i’s Julius Tafiti, 11, and third place was awarded to La‘ie, Hawai‘i’s 6-year-old Marcus Muti.

The stage was stolen briefly by the 4-year-olds when Hale Motu‘apuaka and Larson Tuileta practiced their performance skills for future Junior Pacific Fireknife Championships.

Sponsored by Cirque du Soleil, Coca-Cola, Hawaiian Airlines, Electric Pencil, Laie Inn, Henry S. Mataalii & Company, Turtle Bay Resort, and the PCC, this annual competition draws spectators from around the world.

Tickets for the World Fireknife Championship finals tonight are $35 for adults and $24 for children ages 5-11. Call 293-3333 to make reservations. Visit the PCC website at www.polynesia.com for updates on the results of the 12th Annual World Fireknife Dance Competition.

Since its beginning in 1963, the Polynesian Cultural Center has entertained more than 30 million visitors by preserving the spirit, culture and people of Polynesia. This week, all guests are invited to attend the Fireknife Competition and even learn the ancient art of fireknife dancing during free, on-site seminars.