Left: Mikaele Oloa from Waialua listens to the crowd cheer as he finishes his routine. Oloa was crowned as the 2010 champion. Photo by Trijsten Leach. Above: Preston Weber from Florida spins the fireknife during the Junior competition. Photo by Aaron Knudsen.
a warrior has remained champion two years in a row, he is not allowed to compete the following year. Oloa will be able to return to the 2012 competition. The preliminary competitions began May 12, with the Semi-finals, Junior Division, and Open Duet Competition May 13. In the Junior Division Age 6-11 the champion was Preston Weber from Florida, with Achilles Tafiti from Laie in second and Hale Motuapuaka in third. In the Junior Division Age 12-17 the champion was Rex Tiumalu from Florida, with Keenan Chung from Kaneohe in second and Malo Mata’u from Laie in third. The warriors that won the Open Duet Competition were Castillo Braddah and Sistah in first and the David Galea’i group in second. - amanda ha nse n
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Ke Alaka‘i