It was a full house on Saturday night and the competition was dubbed a success with the Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa, Cabinet Ministers, members of the business community and supporters among the crowd. 

In an exclusive interview with the Samoa Observer, Mr. Pupuali'i said he was both grateful and happy to have won the competition. 

The 32-year-old year told this newspaper that he left Samoa 20-years-ago and was happy to be back to where it all started for him. 

He first acknowledged God for his guidance and protection upon him and his journey. 

He also paid tribute to the people who have helped him in his journey as a fire-dancer. 

Mr. Pupuali'i runs a fire dancing school in Auburn, Washington called Tupu le Afi LLC and he was able to bring some of his students with him on this trip. 

"I'm really grateful and humbled to be back in Samoa and to be able to compete in this competition after 20 years," he said. 

"This has been a very special trip for me not only because I am back to where it all started for me but also I am here with my students and kids and they got to see me compete at home. 

"As that famous Samoan saying, the toloa bird may fly to greener fields, but will always return to the water where it was nurtured; that pretty much describes how I feel right now. 

"I grew up in Matautu-Uta and I worked with Leota Lene a long time ago under the supervision and leadership of Maselusi Ali'itasi and my older brother Sakaio Pupuali'i."

For this particular competition, Mr. Pupuali'i only had only six months to prepare.

"I have a dance school back home and I dedicate most of my time teaching our students and looking after my family and children. 

"I was hoping to practice more, but I only had three to six months to practice and prepare for the competition. 

"However, I never stopped practicing and because I teach my students, it's almost the same as practicing."

Asked about the significance of fire dancing to him and his life, Mr. Pupuali'i said this was his ticket out of Samoa. 

"It's special to me because fire dancing was my ticket out of Samoa and took me around the world. 

"It was the one thing that helped me in my life, made me feel good and gave me purpose. It was a talent from God and I wanted to use it wisely so I can have a better future. 

"I ended up staying in America and having a future there now. 

"We all have different talents from God and the important thing is that we use it wisely to serve our family, communities and represent our country well. 

"And my words of encouragement to the young people in Samoa is that everything starts at home. Whatever skills and talents you get from God, we should use it wisely and pursue it. Dedication and perseverance are key to anything in life. 

"Use and dedicate all your energy into nurturing and improving every day, it will be rewarding in the end and success will follow you."