Mikaele Oloa, the 2016 winner of Polynesian Cultural Center’s annual World Fireknife Championship, returns today to defend his title.

The competition, which runs through Saturday, is expected to draw 34 contenders from Samoa, Japan, Tahiti, California, Florida and Hawaii. Teenager Jeralee Galeai also returns this year as the only female competitor.

The ancient fireknife was primarily used in close combat and cultural dance rituals.

In 1993, Pulefano Galeai of the Polynesian Cultural Center launched the center’s inaugural World Fireknife Championship.

“Each year the competition draws the most talented fireknife dancers from around the world and the skills, style and acrobatics becomes more amazing as we determine the very best of the best,” said Alfred Grace, Polynesian Cultural Center president and CEO.

The event is now the focal point of the center’s We Are Samoa Festival, which starts at 9 a.m. Saturday in the Pacific Theater on the PCC grounds.

“As this is our 25th year of World Fireknife Championship, the first-place winner will walk away with $7,500, second place $5,000 and third place $3,000. Attendees will be treated to a cultural experience unlike any other, and the best of the best will be crowned a world champion in both junior and senior divisions,” said Steve Laulu, Polynesian Cultural Center director of islands.

The championship features a junior division (6 to 11 years), intermediate division (12 to 17 years) and open division. Competition begins at 6 p.m. today and Friday at the Hale Aloha theater on the PCC grounds. The open division finals are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Saturday during intermission of the “Ha: Breath of Life” evening show in the Pacific Theater. The announcement of the winner will be held immediately after the show.

For more information, go to worldfireknife.com.