By: Jenn K
Last weekend, Hilo was host to the First Annual Hawaii Poke Festival. Thanks to generous organizers, I was able to attend and enjoy the many different poke varieties of the day. Even a vegan choice!
Sponsored by the County of Hawaii, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Aloha Shoyu, and Suisan, the Hawaii Poke Festival showcased a variety of local restaurants and their talented chefs from the Big Island and beyond.
Chef Sam Choy was there, serving up his famous poke recipes as well as promoting his new cookbook and kitchen towel line. While Mark Yamanaka put on a terrific performance of Hawaiian and contemporary songs on stage.
Anne and I were able to sample almost every vendor’s offerings – a variety of fish poke, ulu, poi, kulolo, beer, and iced tea left us full and satisfied in no time! The one downer was the heat in the building, partly due to Tropical Storm Darby, but we were grateful to be spared of her destructive path.
Judging by the amount of people in attendance (about 300 tickets sold online), I’d say this festival was a huge success! Can’t wait for next year.
Living Hilo Style 
[…] The Hawaii Poke Festival – this July, Hilo hosted the first annual festival dedicated to poke, our culinary treasure of cubed raw fish (though sometimes beef) seasoned by the creativity of the chefs that prepare it. I don’t believe this one was a fundraiser but I think it was a lot of fun! Keep your eyes out for next year’s event! (Read about 2016 Poke Festival here.) […]
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