Here's the new day-by-day breakdown:

• Wednesday, May 12: Senior entrants (age 18-and-up) will run off the preliminary competition in the PCC's Hale Aloha amphitheater, starting at 7:45 p.m. A panel of independent judges will announce nine semi-finalist winners at the end of the evening.

• Thursday, May 13: Junior division (up to age 18) and duet entrants will show their skills in the Hale Aloha amphitheater starting at 7:45 p.m., with the panel of judges naming the winners by the end of the evening. The nine semifinalists will also compete, with the judges naming three finalists at the end of the evening.

• Friday, May 14 and Saturday, May 15: The three finalists will perform during the intermission of the PCC's new night show, which starts in the Pacific Theater at 7:30 p.m. (reserved-seat tickets are required). Judges scores from both nights will be tallied and the Center will crown the 2010 World Fireknife Champion in a special ceremony at the end of Ha Breath of Life on Saturday night.

• Saturday, May 15: High school students from across Oahu will compete in a range of traditional skills — including oratory, coconut husking, green banana peeling, coconut-leaf basket weaving, firemaking, songs and dances — starting at 9 a.m. in the Pacific Theater. Other groups also may participate on an exhibition basis. Samoan plate lunches and special arts and crafts will be available for sale during the event.

"Every year the performers reinvent the art of fireknife and take the competition to a whole new level, which is what makes the World Fireknife Championships such an exciting event," said Leilua Logo Apelu, PCC senior vice president of operations. "Many families have been passing the art of fireknife dancing down for generations and as a result, most of these performers were practically born with a fireknife in their hands. Their passion for the art and their much-practiced skill really shines during their performances."

Ticket information: Kamaaina Annual Pass holders can get into the Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday morning events for free. Admission for other kamaaina (with proof of Hawaii residency required) is $10 for adults (ages 15-and-up), and $6 for keiki (ages 5-14) for those same events.

Hawaii kamaaina can currently take advantage of some terrific deals and discounts at the PCC, including. shares the details and conditions:

• Kamaaina Annual Pass Spring Special: PCC Hawaii Sales Manager Larie Manutai explained that until April 30, 2010, the Center is offering a 50% discount off the regular Kamaaina Annual Pass (KAP) costs of $50 for adults (ages 16-and-up) and $25 for children (ages 5-15). Proof of Hawaii residency is required to qualify. The PCC Kamaaina Annual Pass is good for one year from the date of purchase, and pass holders can visit the Center villages and, on a space-available basis, enjoy the evening show as often as they want during that year.

Details on the KAP special are available online or at any Zippy's Restaurant and 7-Eleven store on Oahu.

• Evening show and free dinner package: Until April 30, the PCC is offering kamaaina a special discount rate of $25 for a reserved seat at the new night show, Ha Breath of Life, that also includes a free dinner in The Gateway Restaurant. "The Ha show on it's own normally costs $36, with kamaaina regularly getting a 20 percent discount off that price," Manutai said.

• Mother's Day & Father's Day promotions: Manutai said the Center will offer a dinner-show package, which is not normally available, with PCC-level Ambassador dining for two-to-three days before each of these two  holiday.

"The menu includes prime rib, crab legs, mahimahi, sushi, salad and dessert bars, among other items," she said. "We also have soups available, and the strawberry guava cake is really good."

• Other holiday promotions: Manutai explained the PCC also prepares special menu items in its Gateway Restaurant for holidays such as Valentine's, St. Patrick's and Easter. "For example, last St. Patrick's day we offered a special corned beef and cabbage entrée," she said. "It was really ono."

• Special private events: Manutai said the PCC will also host private events, such as wedding receptions and graduation parties. "For example, a lot of schools have also come out for a senior luau or class reunions."

"We have various venues and menus available," Manutai continued, "or we work with a list of pre-approved caterers." She added that kamaaina can also order pre-cooked pans of food from the Center's Food & Beverage Division for their own outside functions. For more information on any of these, contact her at 293-3068 or email her at manutail@polynesia.com; or for additional information on kamaaina specials…

— Photos of 2009 PCC Samoan events by Mike Foley

When the evening was over, a panel of judges selected nine semifinalists who will compete for three top spots tonight, May 15. The nine semifinalists are:

•  Jeurell Lavata'i, Pago Pago, American Samoa
• Dana Teai, Faaa, Tahiti
• Pati Levasa, who previously won the event four times, from Samoa by way of the Hong Kong Disneyland where he's currently performing
• Brandon "Fue" Maneafaiga, Waianae, Oahu
• Joseph Cadousteau, Papeete, Tahiti
• Mikaele Oloa, formerly of Orlando, Florida, and now living in Waialua, Oahu, who several years ago as a 15-year-old junior jumped into the senior division and won the next two world championship titles
• Lopeti Tu'ua, Lahina, Maui
• Viavia "VJ" Tiumalu Jr., from Orlando, Florida, and the 2008 world champion, who followed Oloa's lead by jumping his age group into the senior competition
• Chesrveigh "Jessie" Usiel, a Pohnpeian who lives in Harmon, Guam

Congratulations to all of them. Photos of them can be found on my blog at:
http://nanilaie.info/?p=362

More information on them can be found at:
http://www.polynesia.com/fireknife/competitors.html

Also, check out the PCC's new special events blog, including videos of all the competitors at http://polynesia.com/blog