Falaniko Penesa

Falaniko Penesa of Samoa wins 2019 World Fireknife Championship

Mikaele Oloa of Waialua, Hawaii, and Joseph Cadousteau of Tahiti rounded out the top three.

 Penesa's victory concluded the four-day We Are Samoa Festival, May 8-11 which is Hawaii's largest annual Samoan cultural celebration. 

The festival featured fireknife competitions in four divisions, the High School Samoan Cultural Arts Festival, and daily exhibits of Samoan culture and artwork throughout the grounds of the Polynesian Cultural Center.