POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER CELEBRATES WORLD’S HOTTEST COMPETITORS AT WORLD FIREKNIFE DANCE COMPETITION

12th Anniversary of Competition Expected to Be Record-Breaking

La‘ie, HI – March 31, 2004 - The heat is searing, the sparks fly high and the knives are sharp enough to cut through skin and bone. No, this isn’t the scene at your local restaurant’s kitchen – it’s the 12th Annual World Fireknife Dance Competition held each year at the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) as part of its annual Samoa Festival celebrating Samoan culture. This is often called the world’s “hottest” event, and this year is expected to be hotter than ever as competitors converge from around the world to show their skills and wow the crowds from May 13-15.

The fire starts burning early with the preliminaries of the World Fireknife Competition on Thursday, May 13, in the PCC’s Hale Ohana starting at 6:30 p.m.

Things really heat up on Friday, May 14, as both the Junior World Fireknife Competition and the semi-finals of the adult competition fill the Hale Ohana starting at 6:30 p.m. The Junior World Fire Knife Competition kicks off the night with competitors ranging in age from 12 to 17 years old. Aspiring competitors, as young as 6-years old, come out each year to learn the techniques of the older participants and show off some of their own skills. Once the junior champion is named, the semi-finalists from Thursday’s competition will vie for their spot in the World Fire Knife Dance championships on Saturday.

The crowning and celebration of this year’s winner will take place following the finals of the competition on Saturday, May 15, at the PCC’s Pacific Theater. Each performer will put his skills to the ultimate test during the intermissions of the Horizons night show at both 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

“This unique event combines great athletic skill, unflinching bravery, and ever-present danger to bring out the best in these competitors,” said Pulefano Galeai, the founder of the annual competition. “It is exciting to see the culture of Samoa take center stage with participation from people around the world. This sharing of culture is what it’s really all about.”

Galeai started the competition to help preserve the uniquely Samoan tradition of fire knife dancing, while sharing it with the world. In addition to his job at the PCC as a cultural islands director, he also serves as teacher to several generations of fire knife dancers, including his nephew and three-time champion, David Galeai.

Competitors only wear short lavalava wraps around their waist and use no protective skin oils while acrobatically twisting and twirling the fire-lit knives at breathtaking speed in positions that frequently brings the flames in direct contact with their hands, feet, back, and mouth.

“People are constantly amazed at the risks they take in performing their routines,” said Ellen Gay Dela Rosa, senior manager of promotions and special events for the PCC.

Each fire knife dancer relies on flawless dexterity, perfect execution, undying stamina, and exquisite timing in completing their program. They are judged according to compulsory and technical moves, along with their creativity, pacing, and dramatic interpretation.

Another showcase event of the week is the Samoan Cultural Arts Festival starting at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 15. Polynesian students from Hawaii high schools and colleges will demonstrate their Samoan cultural knowledge and skills in friendly competitions like basket weaving, coconut husking, banana peeling, fire making, singing, dancing, and speechmaking all with the beautiful backdrop of the Polynesian Cultural Center’s Pacific Theater.

“The Samoan Cultural Arts Festival is a wonderful opportunity for young people to perpetuate the beautiful culture and heritage of Samoa,” said Dela Rosa. "We added the college category last year and it really took the competition up to a higher level. It's exciting to see the students get so involved in sharing their culture."

Kama‘aina admission to the events in the Hale Ohana is $8.00 for adults and $6.00 for children ages 5-11, with special upgrades available for those wishing to stay and enjoy the Horizons night show. Visitors can purchase tickets starting at just $30. For those interested in getting up close to see the winner crowned, you must purchase a ticket to the PCC’s Horizon night show as the finals are held during the intermission. Admission to the show is $35.00 for adults and $24.00 for children. Annual Pass holders get in free with a reservation, which are highly recommended for everyone interested in attending because the event sells out quickly.

For more information or to make reservations call the Polynesian Cultural Center ticket office at (800) 367-7060 or visit the PCC web site at www.Polynesia.com. In Hawai‘i, call (808) 293-3333.

Founded in 1963 as a non-profit organization, the PCC has entertained more than 30 million visitors by preserving and portraying the spirit, culture and people of Polynesia to the rest of the world. More important is the mission of the PCC, which supports the educational mission of Brigham Young University-Hawai‘i and provides an extension of the classroom in a workplace setting. Since its establishment, the PCC has employed more than 12,000 BYU-Hawai‘i students. As a non-profit organization, 100 percent of the PCC’s revenue is used for daily operations and to support the students who earn their tuition, room and board, and books. The PCC also provides significant financial support to elementary and secondary schools and to college students attending institutions of their choice besides BYU-Hawai‘i.