Lāʻie native, generational fire knife dancer represents 808 at LA award ceremony

Yahoo

24-03-2025

HONOLULU (KHON2) — Lāʻie born and raised fire knife dancer Alexander Galeaʻi didn't know what he was getting himself into when he agreed to star in a friend's project.
The Saint Louis School alum said it became the opportunity of a lifetime — not just for himself but for the entire Hawaiʻi community.
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Alexander's story started when he was on a mission in Auckland, New Zealand where he met trainer Daniel White. When they finished in 2021, the pair kept in contact.
Daniel knew of Alexander's fire knife abilities and when he needed help on a film project, he knew exactly who to call.
'I was like 'Oh, okay.' You know it was just for school. I just thought it was something small, I just thought it was a school project,' Galeaʻi explained.
Alexander then hopped on a plane and flew to Utah for one night to film the project. Little did he know, Daniel and his team were entering the film in competitions and festivals nationwide.The result was a one-minute, eye-catching advertisement called 'Manumalo' or 'Victory,' which caught the attention of the Television Academy Foundation.
Now, Alexander and his classmates at Brigham Young University are nominated in the Commercial, PSA or Promo category of the foundation's 44th College Television Awards.
The ad features Galeaʻi's story, highlighting the generational roots of Samoan fire knife dancing.
'My last name is Galeaʻi and that is a pretty big name in the fire knife world. Started with my grandfather. He started the World Fire Knife Competition at the Polynesian Cultural Center.'
His father, uncle and cousins would then go on to hold world championship titles.
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'We're a family of champions and I'm proud of it. We grew up all together, fire knife dancing. Fire knife has been in our family for a very, very long time,' Galeaʻi said.
Even if the film doesn't win an award, Alexander said he is still grateful to represent where he comes from.
'Just the opportunity to even be considered or nominated, it's no greater feeling. To me, not much local opportunities are offered like this, especially in our own communities, in our own islands and so it is an awesome experience.'
Alexander will attend the College Television Awards in Los Angeles on April 5.
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He will then graduate from Brigham Young University — Hawaii, where he will graduate with a Bachelor's degree in business management with an emphasis in economics and minors in political science and Pacific Island studies.
'It's worth it you know. I really think it's worth it being there for friends, for family no matter how small or big it may seem. Show up and be there.'
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