The sixth annual Kauaʻi Poke Fest took place this past weekend at Koloa Landing Resort. The 2026 event featured 22 competing teams preparing fresh, Hawaiian line-caught ‘ahi in a variety of ways.
Attendees enjoyed poke tastings, a hosted bar, live hula performances and entertainment, and a poke demonstration by chefs Sam Choy and Emeril Lagasse.
Poke entries were scored on presentation, creativity and flavor. Entries were judged by chefs Choy and Lagasse, as well as Ronnie Rainwater and Sheldon Simeon. Festival attendees could also vote for their favorite poke creations.
Entries were scored on presentation, creativity and flavor. Photo by Kelli Shiroma Braiotta (Aloha State Daily Staff) 
Festival attendees could try poke samples from the competing vendors. Photo by Kelli Shiroma Braiotta (Aloha State Daily Staff) 
Poke entries were judged by chefs Sam Choy, Emeril Lagasse, Sheldon Simeon and Ronnie Rainwater. Photo by Kelli Shiroma Braiotta (Aloha State Daily Staff)
Creations included Thai-style laab poke from Kauaʻi Poke Co. (2019 Kauaʻi Poke Fest winner); black tide poke with seaweed and sambal chili from chef Kenneth Giambalvo of Red Salt at Koa Kea Resort; warm shrimp poke from Mark Oyama, founder of Mark’s Place (2025 Kauaʻi Poke Fest winner); “fish and poi” by chef Don Gusman (2024 Kauaʻi Poke Fest winner); and more.
Mark Oyama, founder of Mark's Place, won last year's Kauaʻi Poke Fest. Photo by Kelli Shiroma Braiotta (Aloha State Daily Staff) 
Warm shrimp poke by Mark Oyama. Photo by Kelli Shiroma Braiotta (Aloha State Daily Staff)
Chef Justin Firmignac of Haleiwa Joe’s on Oʻahu won this year’s competition. His entry was called Aliʻi Momona Poke, and featured crab fat and lemon oil-tossed ‘ahi poke with housemade ogo furikake, Dungeness crab, fried garlic, sesame and other seasonings. Firmignac explains that he wanted to showcase a dish inspired by Hawaiʻi’s coastal flavors.
“The inspiration was letting the ‘ahi speak for itself,” says Firmignac, who competed in the Kauaʻi Poke Fest for the first time. “I was just trying to implement technique and have bold, simple flavors.”
New to this year’s festival was a silent auction, in which attendees could bid on dining packages, golf outings and luxury resort stays. Every bid supported Alzheimer’s Association Hawaiʻi; 100% of the proceeds from the Kauaʻi Poke Fest will go toward Alzheimer research, support and care.
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Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
