The Winner of the Fan Favorite Vote at Frolic’s 2025 Poke Fest Is …
12 new poke creations, one King of Poke Fest. The Top 3 finishers came in with unexpected touches of watercress, garlic and scallops.
The tents are folded up, the pans scrubbed out, and we hope you all went home from Poke Fest 2025 last Saturday with full, satisfied bellies. Thanks to all who came out for Frolic’s 8th annual celebration of Hawai‘i’s beloved poke, thank you to the volunteers and workers who made it a fun, friendly, chill event, and big mahalos to our sponsors, American Savings Bank, Ka Makana Ali‘i and Hawaiian Telcom.
The Poke Fest tradition continued, with all 12 poke vendors bringing their best special new poke creations just for the event. Also by tradition, you voted for your faves to crown the new King of Poke Fest. So without further ado, the winners are …
3rd Place: Local Poke Bowl
Photo: Courtesy of Local Poke Bowl
Torched Spicy Truffle Scallop with sweet onion, tobiko, fried garlic and pork rind crumble
2nd Place: Ali‘i Fish Market
Photo: Courtesy of Ali‘i Fish Market
Aʻu in the Watercress Patch: charred watercress nairagi poke with chile ʻōpae, limu, sea asparagus and sesame
1st Place: HanaPa‘a Market
Photos: Mahina Chong
Garlic Poke Toast with shoyu aioli, pickled and crispy garlic, parmesan buttered crostini
