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.

At 83, Elder Bob Palmer brings faith and craftsmanship to life at the Polynesian Cultural Center in Lāʻie, Hawaiʻi. A lifelong woodcarver, former teacher, and senior missionary, Bob creates intricate works that reflect both spiritual depth and cultural respect. From marine sculptures to sacred symbols, his carvings tell stories of devotion, heritage, and the joy of creating with purpose.

In 1960, Matte Te‘o traveled with fellow labor missionaries from Sāmoa and Tonga to build the Church College of Hawai‘i, the Lāʻie Temple additions, and the Polynesian Cultural Center. Despite injury and long days of work, he stayed committed to his calling. Each day began with prayer and purpose. From singing hymns on the flight to helping with chapels at night, he served with heart. “See, this our fathers did for us,” he says—a lasting legacy of faith and sacrifice.

Born in Samoa on January 30, 1946, Tauamatu Marrero (Matu) was named after her grandmother. She grew up in a large family—one of fourteen siblings, the second oldest

When Austin TeNgaio opened a box from his grandfather, he discovered photos, stories, and an original Johnny Lingo script. His great-grandparents, Joe and Millie TeNgaio, helped build the Aotearoa Village at the Polynesian Cultural Center and preserve Māori culture. Joe’s unexpected role in Johnny Lingo became part of their legacy of faith, service, and cultural pride.

Timmy Mocodompis, from Tangerang, Indonesia, (a city of about 2 million people on the western border of Jakarta), exemplifies resilience and determination.

Senior Polynesian Cultural Center missionary Hella Lunnen—still spry at 89 years old—pulls her weight with the “younger” senior missionaries at the Mission Settlement, an area consisting of three buildings dedicated to honoring contributions of early Christian missionaries to Laʽie.

When Elder Michael Theobald and his wife, Sister Shauna Theobald, completed their volunteer service as senior leadership training missionaries for full-time employees and orientation for new Center student workers in October 2017, it wasn’t his first experience at the Cultural Center.

In the summer of 1963, while labor missionaries and community volunteers were still finishing the future PCC, Elder Theobald was a 14-year-old teenager who also had opportunities to help. Read his memories about those early Center days at:

https://blog.polynesia.com/michael-theobald