The History of the Samoan Fireknife Dance as told by P.C. Letuli Olo Misilagi                                            In 1946 at Golden State Park in San Francisco,                                            I started the fireknife dance of Samoa.                                                I was intrigued by a Hindu fire eater and a                                                   young girl twirling her baton fitted with light                                                      bulbs on either end. All of us were                                                        rehearsing  our particular talents to                                                        perform for the  Shriner's Convention.                                                        I asked the Hindu man for some of his                                                         white gas, and I wrapped a towel                                                         around the blade of my knife. While                                                         not perfect,  the Flaming Sword of                                                      Samoa became a reality, Many people helped me and advised me on the materials to use to hold the fire to my knives and, in turn, I did my best to perfect the fire knife and to pass this talent on to others. I did not dream that the fire knife dance would become so widespread, nor that so many people with such diverse backgrounds would pursue the Samoan Fire Knife Dance. I thank Pulefano Galea'i and the people at the Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie, Hawaii for hosting the World Fire Knife Competition every year. I also thank Lene Leota and the Ailao Club from the Independent State of Samoa for hosting the annual Fire Knife Competition in Samoa. Finally, my heartfelt thanks to Flaming Sword of Samoa for bringing the World Fire Knife Competition home to American Samoa. Soifua, PC Letuli Olo Misilagi