Mark Oyama wins Kauaʻi Poke Fest with torched Kauaʻi shrimp

Twenty amateur and professional chefs used more than 1,000 pounds of fresh ahi tuna to craft inventive poke creations during the 5th Annual Kaua‘i Poke Fest.

The winner of the culinary showdown, which took place Friday and Saturday at Kōloa Landing Resort, was Chef Mark Oyama of Kauaʻi Shrimp. His winning poke was Torched Kauaʻi Shrimp.

Festival attendees and a prestigious panel of celebrity judges voted on taste, originality and presentation to determine this year’s champions. The judges included James Beard Award-winner and “Godfather of Poke” Chef Sam Choy, Top Chef finalist Chef Sheldon Simeon, Emeril Group’s Chef Ronnie Rainwater and fishing expert Captain Chris Choy.

Second place went to Meghann Matsuda of Da Reel Kapakahi Red Eye for her poke called Reel ‘Em & Feel ‘Em.

And Kristy Kahananui of Lawai‘a Fish Co. took third place for her dish called Da Krazy Asian Poke.

Top honors came with major prizes, including cash awards, a feature on the TV show Sam Choy’s In the Kitchen, and a luxurious two-night villa stay at Kōloa Landing Resort.

It was the first time the festival was held over two days, with a new Poke Masters’ Table that offered an exclusive, five-course dining experience led by a lineup of culinary stars that featured Sam Choy, Chef Don Gusman, Simeon, Rainwater and dessert duo Chefs Wendy Leanio and Ryan Alicante.

Each course celebrated the depth and diversity of Hawai‘i’s culinary traditions, from Sam Choy’s ahi tartar salad to Rainwater’s luxurious Creekstone Farms Chateaubriand.

The festival also included a live poke-making demo with Sam Choy, an opening performance by Halau Ka Lei Mokihana O Leina‘ala, led by Breeze Pavao and Miss Aloha Hula 2025, Jaedyn Pavao. Hawaiian music was provided by Kaiona.

All proceeds benefited local nonprofits via the Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Association’s Charity Walk. Last year, the festival raised $62,000 for the Hawai‘i Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund for wildfire relief.

For more information about the Kaua‘i Poke Fest, click here.