From left, Bryan Aguilar, Lilybeth Aguilar and Brandon Solives take time to make a decision from the more than 20 poke samples during the Kaua‘i Poke Festival at Koloa Landing Resort in Po‘ipu on Saturday, June 3, 2023.
2/5
Swipe or click to see more
Dennis Fujimoto / The Garden Island
Chef Kepa Kruse finishes a batch of his poke sampling while a guest at the Kaua‘i Poke Festival votes by scanning the QR code at Koloa Landing Resort in Po“ipu on Saturday, June 3, 2023.
3/5
Swipe or click to see more
Dennis Fujimoto / The Garden Island
The culinary crew of the Hilton Garden Inn Wailua Bay Kaua‘i creates poke for the masses, as seen through the east-facing window of Koloa Landing Resort in Po‘ipu, which hosted the Kaua‘i Poke Festival on Saturday, June 3, 2023.
4/5
Swipe or click to see more
Dennis Fujimoto / The Garden Island
Chef Sarawut Phiromkaiphak, of MyHero Sushi and Thai food truck, created “MyHero” poke bowl at the Kaua‘i Poke Festival at Koloa Landing Resort in Po‘ipu after spending the morning selling sushi and Thai food at the Grove Farm Market in Puhi, on Saturday, June 3, 2023.
5/5
Swipe or click to see more
Dennis Fujimoto / The Garden Island
The Aloha Bowls chefs explain the presentation of their mango ginger ahi with garden island gazpacho to guests Dana Hazelton and Lexi Jones during the Kaua‘i Poke Fest at Koloa Landing Resort in Po‘ipu on Saturday, June 3, 2023.
Dennis Fujimoto The Garden Island
Share this story
A sold-out audience of more than 600 people enjoyed the sampling by more than 20 amateur and professional chefs creating their specialties during the third Kaua‘i Poke Festival held at Koloa Landing Resort on Saturday.
A sold-out audience of more than 600 people enjoyed the sampling by more than 20 amateur and professional chefs creating their specialties during the third Kaua‘i Poke Festival held at Koloa Landing Resort on Saturday.
Chef Koa Kimmerle, of Anatta’s Thai Food, was announced the People’s Poke for his Anatta’s twisted Thai poke V2 after securing the highest score from guests attending the event, where a portion of proceeds was set aside to benefit the Hawai‘i Lodging &Tourism Association’s Kaua‘i Visitor Industry Charity Walk.
For his efforts, Kimmerle earned a $500 food and beverage credit to Holoholo Grill at Koloa Landing Resort, and a private poolside cabana at the resort’s 350,000-gallon main pool that was voted No. 1 Hotel Pool in USA Today’s 10 Best Awards.
Chef Grecean Manuel secured Overall Winner honors after securing the highest score from the event judges that included celebrity chefs Sam Choy, award-winning chef, TV personality, author and philanthropist Aaron Sanchez, and Ronnie Rainwater, the chief culinary officer at Las Vegas at Emeril’s Restaurants.
Manuel’s prize package included a seven-day, six-night stay at Koloa Landing Resort for his ahi poke lumpia.
Poke aficionados were also treated to an afternoon of entertainment that included a return performance by Kumu Hula Leina‘ala Pavao Jardin and select members of her Halau Ka Lei Mokihana O Leina‘ala, with musician Bronson Aiwohi.
Mikey Moniz of KHON2’s “Living 808” served as the day’s host among the field of beverage stations that included the new offering of four flavors of Koloa Rum Company seltzers.
•••
Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
