Former Champions Return to Fight for Title in 13th Year of Fiery Festival

March 30, 2005 La‘ie, HI – It has been said that 13 can be a lucky number. Luck is exactly what the competitors in the Polynesian Cultural Center’s 13th Annual World Fireknife Competition are hoping will come their way as they prepare for their turn at the hottest contest around. From May 12-14, 2005, more than 40 competitors are anticipated to show off their skill and daring in this annual crowd-pleasing event, including defending champion Alex Galeai.

Sponsored by Hawaiian Airlines, Turtle Bay Resort, Cirque du Soleil and the Polynesian Cultural Center, the fire starts burning early with the preliminaries of the World Fireknife Competition on Thursday, May 12, in the PCC’s Hale Ohana starting at 6:30 p.m.

Things really heat up on Friday, May 13, 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 14, 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.

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“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. We’ve had competitors come all the way from Japan, Europe and all across America to take part in the festival. 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 son, Alex Galeai, who is the current reigning world champion; and 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 14. 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."
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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 $36.00 for adults and $25.00 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 31 million visitors, while preserving and portraying the culture, arts, and crafts of Polynesia to the rest of the world. In addition, the PCC has provided financial assistance to 14,000 young people from over 70 different countries while they attend Brigham Young University-Hawai‘i. As a non-profit organization, 100 percent of PCC’s revenue is used for daily operations and to support education.

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