Islanders who think they're "American Idol" material have a chance to try out locally for an opportunity to be flown off to Seattle auditions in front of judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson.

Fox-TV affiliate KHON-2 and Maui-based Pacific Wings Airlines are sponsoring a Guaranteed American Idol Contest to select 10 would-be Idols. To enter, go to the Channel 2 Web site, www.khon2.com, and click on the Guaranteed American Idol Audition button, which will link to an entry form. The tryout slots will be awarded based on the response. The deadline is Sunday.

The 10 wannabes will sing out at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at a free Hawai'i Theatre show. It's being billed as a red-carpet event, with performances by Natural Vibrations, Jordan Segundo, Marty Dredd, 24-VII DanceForce and others. Comedian Andy Bumatai hosts. Tickets are available online at www.khon2.com or www.pacificwings.com.

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.