2004 World Fire Knife Champion –
Alexander Lefolasa Galeai (Saturday May 15)
A Special Report

In the end the difference between the Polynesian Cultural Center’s World Fire Knife Dance champion and the 1st and 2nd runners-up came down to two points and a bit of fire which got away from a knife:

Alex Lefolasa Galeai edged out Tuione Tovo by just two points, according to the judges' marks, to claim the 2004 PCC World Fire Knife Dance championship.

But it came down to three finalists who performed in the middle of two evening shows. Judges scored their performance in each show, and combined the results to determine the winner. In the second show, Galeai’s three-knife moves were truly impressive. They probably gave him the edge over Tovo, whose tumbling moves and on-stage personality are incredible. Second runner-up Jerome Slade, who is perhaps the fastest dancer, was as surprised as the audience when a little extra flaming gas from his knife splashed on his chest. He dropped the knife, quickly rubbed the fire out with his hand, and resumed his dance… but the accident seemed to shake his rhythm a little.

Alexander Galeai – Demonstrating his strength and courage

But even as they posed, they were also probably thinking already what they’re going to do in 2005 when the PCC’s 13th annual World Fire Knife Dance Competition comes around again. Plan to be there.

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>>Friday May 14 Fire Knife Finals

THE THREE SENIOR FINALISTS (Friday May 14)
Special Report by Mike Foley

Alexander Lefolasa Galeai, who works at the PCC as a musician-drummer and back-up fireknife dancer, started at age 5 to learn the exciting dance from his father -- Pulefano Galeai, a famous dancer in his youth who originated the PCC's World Fire Knife Competition 12 years ago. "When I was learning there were only a few kids who were spinning," says Alex, pointing out that fellow competitor Tuione Tovo is one of them, as well as his brother David Galeai, whom he competed against in the semi-finals.

Alexander Galeai

Alex first entered the PCC's competition in 1994 and finished in 3rd place in 2003. "I love rushing on stage and stepping out of myself, trying to portray what Samoan warriors were like back in those days. I also love to entertain and help people enjoy themselves," he said.

Tuione Tovo literally grew up at the PCC, where he worked as a line dancer his last five years in intermediate and high school. He became a professional fireknife dancer in Waikiki during his high school years, entering PCC's very first, then the second annual World Fire Knife Dance Competition. "I was the runner up both years," he recalls.

Cirque du Soleil talent scouts came to PCC's second competition, and hired Tuione. He has since toured the world and performed at their Bellagio show in Las Vegas until he got into a car accident in 2002. He took three months to recuperate. Tovo is now a VIP host in Vegas and just qualified for the Hooters professional golf tour. "I hope to be a coach and trainer for young kids in fireknife dancing," he says, adding he's already training a few kids and friends who want to learn."

Tuione Tovo

Jerome Slade, who is part-Samoan and graduated from high school in 2003, is from Kailua-Kona where he works at the King Kamehameha Hotel luau. He learned how to do the fireknife dance from his father, Matt Slade, who performed all over the world.

Slade competed in the PCC's World Fire Knife Competition in 1998 and 2000, the year he won the junior category. "This is my first time back since then," he said.