Streets were shut down in Laie as traditional fireknife dancing was combined with hip-hop for a one-of-a-kind New Year’s Eve celebration. Three-time fireknife world champion David Galeai, a local Laie resident, put on the event. More than 500 people attended the party that included the world’s first hip-hop fireknife dance competition and a street dance with DJ Skipps.David Galeai and his cousin, Jason Ava, thought of and hosted the event. “The ideas started to come when we watched rap battles and ‘Stomp the Yard’ and thought we should put something together like that,” said Galeai. The initial idea came several months before and was almost forgotten, but the more Galeai and Ava talked about it, the bigger of a reality it became. “Once we got the community’s approval it was a full go,” Ava said as the event was just two weeks away from being put on. A team was assembled with sponsors, video editors, and master planners to make the event happen. “It’s been his (Galeai’s) dream to give back to the community and teach the art of fireknife dancing, especially to the youth” said Ava, “He wants them to experience the same joy he has felt as he competed.” The New Year’s Eve competition consisted of 15 competitors whose ages ranged from 12 to 30 years old. The ultimate champion of the competition was 14-year-old Viceson Galeai, David’s nephew. By the end of the night, “The streets were flooded with people, families, and kids running all around,” Ava said. “Tt was good, clean fun.” The New Year’s competition was focused on a hip-hop hybrid of fireknife dancing but fireskife dancing first started in Samoa as a war dance. Soldiers would make strong, aggressive, sharp, and distinctive jabs with their spears in front of their enemies to intimidate them. Fire was not put onto the spear, however, until the reign of Chief Ololetuli. It wasn’t until 1940 that Pulefano Galeai and Tafili Galeai (David’s uncle and father) incorporated spinning and dancing and it became fireknife dancing as we know it today.The Galeai family members have been the forerunners of fireknife dancing since 1940 and are continuing to do it today with their new blend of hip-hop. Fireknife dancing has been extremely important in the Galeai family over the years. Ava said, “You have a name you have to live up to.”Galeai has started his own fireknife dancing school called, “Viamatina.” The name was chosen because it is the names of Galeai’s deceased mother and sister. “It’s to have them be remembered,” said Galeai. The next hip-hop fireknife dancing event will be held on the Fourth of July, 2014. “We are expecting over 800 people to attend this time, and all are invited,” said Ava about the upcoming event. “The past event was a huge success, better than we would ever have expected,” Ava said with a smile. “But we couldn’t have done it without all our sponsors which we say thank you to.”To see some of the highlights from the New Year’s competition and to learn about upcoming events, check out World Fireknife Productions on Facebook.World Fireknife Productions would like to say thank you to their Sponsors and Fireknife Street Battle (FSB) Committee Members.Sponsors:World Fireknife Productions - Timo Hekau & David V. Galea’i; Master of Fireknife - Pulefano L.F. Galea’i; Island Roots - Crease Paul; Saltwinds Entertainment - Clint Mariteragi & President Galea’i; Fireknife - Mark Nobriga; Fireknife Light Stick - Tiu & Salu Wesley; Goat Island Inc. - Nason Coleman; PPF - Robert Tufuli; DJ Skipps - Julius SkippsFSB Committee Members:David V. Galea’i; William Numanga; President Galea’i; Erve Niumatalolo; Jackson Tilo; Seriff Tevaga; TJ Magalei; Julius Skipps; Jason Ava
Writer: Jeff Facer ~ Multimedia Journalist
