Parade of Poke: All the New Poke Coming to Frolic’s May 18 Poke Fest
Nearly 20 poke vendors from all over O‘ahu are bringing their best for poke’s biggest event of the year.
Poke fans’ biggest day of the year arrives next weekend—and we’re catching early glimpses of the new creations each vendor is bringing. Frolic’s 7th annual Poke Fest happens on Saturday, May 18, with nearly 20 poke vendors from all over O‘ahu coming together at Ka Makana Ali‘i—each with an all-new poke created exclusively for this event.
Feast your eyes on the ‘onolicious new poke below. And don’t forget: Every vendor will also sell their signature poke and other dishes as well.
Among this year’s newcomers is Mō‘ili‘ili’s Ali‘i Fish Market, which is bringing its truly bomb Poke Fest entry of Smoked Shoyu ‘Ahi Poke with lechon chile crunch (as seen on this morning’s Hawai‘i News Now Sunrise with Grace Lee).
By tradition, you’ll get to vote for your favorite new poke as we crown the new King of Poke Fest 2024. Paradise Poke won last year with their decadent Truffle ‘Ahi Poke. Who’ll take the prize this year?
SEE ALSO: The Winner of the Fan Favorite Vote at Frolic’s Poke Fest 2023 Is …
Other things to know: Admission to the 4 to 8 p.m. event is FREE. The Vitals 808 is performing live, there’ll be keiki activities and plenty of booths selling Asato Family sherbet, Pop Culture Artisan Pops, Da Bald Guy food truck plates, Daily Whisk Matcha drinks, Sama Sama boba teas, barbecue skewers and lots more cold drinks, snacks and desserts. Frolic’s Poke Fest will take over the massive parking lot at Ka Makana Ali‘i between California Pizza Kitchen and ‘Ōlino Theatres.
Those new poke creations? Purchasing a Poke Pass will let you breeze past the lines with a special Fast Lane and a 4-ounce portion of special poke from five vendors of your choice.
Brand new to Poke Fest this year is our new collab with Eden in Love. A poke lovers’ seafood-themed plastic cup is free with every Poke Pass bundle.
The Poke Fest design is also splashed on exclusive new totes from Eden in Love. Grab the small tote at the special pre-sale price of $16 and the large tote for $20. Purchase online and pick up at Frolic’s Poke Fest, or we will ship to you beginning May 20.
Poke Passes and Eden in Love Poke Fest totes will be available for sale at the Frolic tent, so come by and say hi!
Exclusive new poke creations at Poke Fest 2024:
Photo: Thomas Obungen
Ali‘i Fish Market, Mō‘ili‘ili
Smoked Shoyu ‘Ahi Poke with lechon chile crunch
Photo: Courtesy of Da Hub
Da Hub food truck
Bullshittah: ‘Ahi poke on a deep-fried Spam musubi with signature spicy mayo mixed with chopped bruschetta and pesto (Potalian style)
Photo: Courtesy of Feast
Feast by Jon Matsubara, Mānoa
Lobster Kani Poke with Malolo caviar and umami sauce
Photo: Courtesy of Fort Ruger Market
Fort Ruger Market, Diamond Head
Yuzu Volcano poke with fresh ‘ahi, green onion, sliced sweet onion, crunchy garlic, sea asparagus, masago, sesame oil and Ruger special volcano sauce, all topped with yuzu mayonnaise, chicharron bites and bubu arare. Served on a bed of mixed greens.
HanaPa‘a Market, Hawai‘i Kai
Hawaiian Style Tako Salad with poi, ‘inamona and kohu limu
Photo: Courtesy of Ilea’s Kitchen
Ilea’s Kitchen, farmers markets
Black Lava Poke with alaea salt, Ilea’s Kitchen shoyu-based original poke sauce, pineapple ginger vinegar dressing, black sesame miso sauce, shoyu chile sauce, Maui sweet onion, local cucumber, tobiko
Island Sausage, Kaka‘ako
Chorizo Chili Oil ‘Ahi Poke: house-made chorizo chili oil, sweet onion, fried garlic, cucumber, fried won ton chips
Photo: Courtesy of Kahiau Poke
Kahiau Poke, Chinatown
Wet-Dry Lomi Lomi with seasoned chips
Photo: Courtesy of Kapa Hale
Kapa Hale, Kāhala
Berry ‘Ahi Poke with pickled strawberry, black garlic, kukui nut, Kahuku sea asparagus, wakame, sesame
Photo: Courtesy of Kickin’ Sweets
Kickin’ Sweets, Waianae
‘Ahi Poke Nachos: fresh oyster ‘ahi poke on a bed of shrimp chips and imitation crab salad, topped with three sauces, green onion and cilantro
This Lil Piggy
Brisket Charcuterie Poke
Photo: Courtesy of Local Poke Bowl
Local Poke Bowl, Waialua
Mauka to Makai Poke Bowl with ‘ahi, tako, pipikaula, sweet onion, green onion, Kahuku limu, Kahuku sea asparagus, ‘inamona, sesame oil, sesame seed, chile flake, Kaua‘i salt, Okinawan sweet potato
Photo: Courtesy of Makanai
Makanai (Sushi King), Kaka‘ako
Makanai Poke: fresh ‘ahi poke tossed in our homemade spicy sauce topped with shredded nori and scallions
Photo: Courtesy of Monarch Poke
Monarch Poke, ‘Aiea
Southeast Asian-Inspired ‘Ahi Poke bathed in white shoyu, yuzu, mirin and lemongrass, then tossed with pickled ginger, sea asparagus, Thai chile and orange
Photo: Courtesy of Nico’s
Nico’s Pier 38 Fish Market, Iwilei
Spicy Wasabi ‘Ahi on white rice topped with wasabi tobiko
‘Ono Fresh Poke Co., Waianae
TBD
Photo: Courtesy of Paradise Poke
Paradise Poke Hawai‘i, Nu‘uanu, Waikīkī, Pearl City
Saigon Cru ‘ahi poke with lemongrass, lime and other Southeast Asian-inspired flavors
Photo: Courtesy of Pop Up Poke
Pop Up Poke, mobile poke bar
Spicy ‘Ahi Chile Crunch
Sato Seafood, Waikīkī
Hawaiian Munchies with ‘ahi, sweet soy glaze, spicy mayo, tenkasu, fried garlic
Desserts, drinks and more:
- Asato Family Shop – locally inspired craft sherbet
- Da Bald Guy Food Truck – famous local-style food truck
- Da Mochi Guys – all-mochi food truck
- Daily Whisk Matcha – matcha and hojicha drinks
- Cake’d in Grace – elevated funnel cakes
- CaneLei Hawai‘i – French gluten-free pastries
- Chyler’s Hawaiian Beef Chips – all different flavors
- Catzzy – whole milk Snowflake bowls
- Hawaiian Soda Co. – real fruit sodas made in Hawai‘i
- Pop Culture Artisan Pops – locally sourced gourmet paletas
- Princess Liz Creations – Hawai‘i’s first modern ensaymada
- Reecie B’s Onolicious Local Food – poke and pastele creations
- Ruby’s 2.0 – churro sundaes and other decadent desserts
- Sama Sama – Filipino-inspired boba, tea and desserts
- Streats of Aloha – local-style plates
- Uncle Lani’s Poi Mochi – poi mochi desserts with drizzles
- Waialua BBQ – street food-style barbecue skewers
Frolic’s 7th Annual Poke Fest
Saturday, May 18 from 4 to 8 p.m.
Ka Makana Ali‘i parking lot between California Pizza Kitchen and ‘Ōlino Theatres
91-5431 Kapolei Pkwy
Admission: FREE
