The first Poke Recipe Contest was held in the tiny Big Island town of Waimea in 1992. In 1995, the brand new Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel sponsored the event and the number of entries and finalists grew exponentially each year. Today, the Festival weekend activities include tastings, craft fair, entertainment and the Poke Contest finals. It’s the love of poke that attracts entrants and attendees alike.

2006 Winners
15th Annual Aloha Festivals' Poke Contest

The Poke Contest on September 9, 2006 at Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel was a great success! It brought a crowd of poke enthusiasts to sample 28 different poke creations by chefs from Hilo, Kau, Waimea, Kona and beyond.

Each year, this prestigious culinary event appeals to local and national contestants both amateur and professional as they compete for cash and prizes. Prizes were awarded in the following categories:

Category Winners

  • Grand Prize - Shane Sumarnap, Molokai
  • Best Cooked Poke - Whitney Velez, Honokaa, Big Island
  • Poke Using Limu - Kanoe I'i, Kamuela, Big Island
  • Poke Using Soy Sauce - Hideo Kurihara, Waikoloa, Big Island
  • Best Traditional Poke - Trini Castillo, Kohala, Big Island

2005 WINNERS
14th Annual Aloha Festivals' Poke Contest

Professionals:

Buster Faifai, Best of Show and 1st Place Professional
Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, Big Island

Claude Mandaguit, 2nd Place Professional
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, Big Island

Val Gines, 3rd Place Professional
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Big Island

Amateurs:

Margie Hanselman, 1st Place Non-Professional
Hilo, Big Island

Alexander Akau, 2nd Place Non-Professional
Kamuela, Big Island

James Del Mar, 3rd Place Non-Professional
Kailua Kona, Big Island

Categories:

Trini Castillo, Best Cooked Poke
Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, Big Island

Kazuyo Omata, Best Poke Using Seaweed
Hilo, Big Island

Miho Williams, Best Poke Using Seaweed
Honolulu, Oahu

Tiffany Naughton, Best Poke Using Mac Nuts
Grand Wailea Resort, Maui

Jason Wood, Best Poke Using Tofu,
Waikoloa, Big Island

Shelly Pelfrey, Best Poke Using Tofu,
Waikoloa, Big Island

Polly Pagdilao, Best Traditional Poke
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel

Steve Zucker, Best Traditional Poke
Fish Market Maui

Joeliene Schutte, Ali’I Award
Kamuela, Big Island

Chester Sims, Aloha Festivals Award
Laupahoehoe, Big Island

 

 In April 2001, the Poke Festival was awarded the prestigious Kahili Award by the Hawai‘i Visitors and Convention Bureau which honors individuals and organizations who perpetuate Hawaii’s culture, heritage and lineage, and who strive to keep alive and share the best of Hawaii’s past and present.