Talofa lava, my name is Jako Pupualii, and I hail from the beautiful island of Western Samoa, specifically the village of Matautu-Uta. I am the proud leader of Tupu Le Afi Ailao Afi School (fireknife). "Tupu Le Afi," which means "King of Fire," is dedicated to my son, Tupu Pupualii.

 

My journey with Siva Ailao Afi began at the age of 5 in the heart of Western Samoa. I was fortunate to learn under the guidance of my older brother, Sakaio Pupualii, and my Uncle Maselusi Tasi, an exceptional FireKnife leader of the renowned group "Tasi and Alii" from the village of Vailima. I owe a deep sense of gratitude to my mentors for sharing their wisdom and passion at such a young age, shaping me into the leader I am today.

 

At 7 years old, I started competing in professional Siva Ailao Afi competitions and was blessed to compete with some of the world's best talents on the international stage. My passion for preserving and sharing my culture has been the foundation of my career, and this path eventually led me to the United States.

 

In my professional journey, I’ve had the honor of performing with productions, including Cirque Polynesia, Tihati Productions luau events, and Disney World’s Lion King show. My career continued to evolve, and I was privileged to showcase my skills for famous  public celebrities like Pierce Brosnan, Adam Sandler, and Alicia Keys.

 

The art of Siva Ailao Afi has not only been a career but a way to support my growing family. I am grateful for my wife, Jess Pupualii, and our two wonderful sons, Tupu Pupualii and Jako Jr. Pupualii. Through God's blessings, I aim to ensure that the legacy of Tupu Le Afi is passed down to my sons, who will carry the history of culture as the next generation of Ailao Afi dancers, keeping our Samoan culture alive.

 

It is an immense honor for me to share my journey as a professional Siva Ailao Afi competitor with all my future students. My ultimate vision is for each of my students to have the opportunity to become an International & World FireKnife Champion, just as I have been privileged to do.