ALOHA, 'OHANA! WELCOME HOME​

Blazing blades slice through the night as fire knife warriors take the stage, their every thrust, twirl, and daring toss igniting the crowd’s awe. Rooted in ancient Samoan tradition, the nifo ‘oti—the “tooth of death”—was once a fearsome weapon of war. Today, it burns bright in the hands of modern competitors who have trained for years to master its dangerous beauty. With real knives and real fire, contestants must blend raw athleticism, technical precision, and cultural authenticity. As legendary emcee Kap Tafiti quips, “We’re the only culture that gives a kid a knife and fire and tells them to go play.” What began in 1993 on the Polynesian Cultural Center stage has since become the world’s most electrifying display of courage, skill, and living tradition.