WAILEA, HAWAII--(Marketwire - Apr 15, 2011) - Dangerous and mesmerizing, the art of fireknife dancing is always a crowd pleaser that requires intense focus and quick skills. So, who is the best fireknife dancer in Maui County? We'll soon find out at the 1^stAnnual Maui Fireknife Competition on the evenings of Friday, April 29 and Saturday, April 30 at the Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa.

Titled "Si'a Le Afi... Ignite the Fire," the two-day event will feature competitors from Maui, Molokai and Lanai, competing to represent the county in the 2011 World Fireknife Competition at the Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu in May.

The exciting competition is the first for Maui and will be held at Wailea Beach Marriott's oceanfront luau grounds. And the Maui luxury hotel's "Ignite the Fire" vacation package will give guests all-access to both events with exclusive amenities.

Starting from $499 per night, the "Ignite the Fire" package includes accommodations, daily buffet breakfast for two and VIP access to the competition:

• Friday, April 29 -- Preliminaries:
  • Access to the welcome reception with contestants and judges and contestant orientation
  • Amenities such as a fireknife book, Tihati CD, tie dye lava-lava (traditionally Polynesian skirt) and fresh flower lei
  • Premium seating to preliminary competition including cultural activities, Hawaiian dinner buffet and highlights from the Te Au Moana Luau show
• Saturday, April 30 -- Finals:
  • Premium seating for the full production of the Te Au Moana Luau show including Hawaiian dinner buffet
  • Finals night program
  • Private picture-taking with the newly-crowned champion

The "Ignite the Fire" package can be booked online at www.marriotthawaii.com/mauifireknife, using promotional code EON. Book by April 19, 2011, restrictions may apply, three-night minimum stay required.

From the renowned Tihati Productions of Hawaii, the new "Te Au Moana" luau show celebrates the island of Maui with contemporary songs and hula. The production is performed every Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening at the oceanfront resort in the Wailea destination of South Maui.

Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa offers one of the best oceanfront locations within the luxurious Wailea Resort destination on Maui, Hawaii. The resort offers 544 guest rooms and suites, featuring amenities which include high-speed Internet, a 27-inch flat screen TV, cable TV, video games, a private lanai (balcony), five swimming pools, including the adult-only Maluhia Serenity Pool, Mandara Spa, Mala Wailea restaurant from world-renowned chef/owner Mark Ellman, the only Starbucks store in Wailea, poolside dining at Kumu's, "Te Au Moana" luau from the renowned Tihati Productions and nearby golf, tennis and the exclusive Shops at Wailea.

For more information or reservations, please visit waileamarriott.com or call 1-808-879-1922.

Editor's Note: High-resolution images of the resort are available upon request.