Kauai Poke Fest Earns Spot on USA Today 10Best Specialty Food Festivals List

Kōloa Landing Resort's annual poke competition has landed Hawaii's only spot on USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice list of Top Specialty Food Festivals, ranking No. 9 in the country for the second consecutive year ahead of the sixth annual Kauai Poke Fest on June 19-20 in Poipu.

"This recognition reflects how much Kauai Poke Fest has grown each year," said Aaron Bambling, general manager of Kōloa Landing Resort. "What started as a celebration of Hawaii's most iconic dish has quickly become a nationally-recognized culinary event. We are proud to see the festival gaining attention across the country while continuing to bring our community together to celebrate local chefs, culture and a meaningful cuisine."

The 2026 ranking marks the festival's third appearance on the 10Best list. It placed No. 4 in 2023, a year when attendance nearly doubled, first-time international competitors arrived from Canada, and the kitchen served over 700 pounds of fresh ahi. The festival held at No. 9 in both 2024 and now 2026. The list was assembled from 20 nominees selected by a panel of experts, with the final rankings determined by reader voting, putting Kauai's celebration of raw fish alongside nationally recognized festivals dedicated to beignets, chocolate, whoopie pies, and hot tamales.

James Beard Award-winning Chef Sam Choy, widely credited as the Godfather of Poke, returns as host alongside celebrity chefs Sheldon Simeon and Ronnie Rainwater. The festival opens Friday, June 19, with the Poke Masters' Table Dinner, an intimate multi-course experience hosted by Choy that sold out during the 2025 edition. The main competition follows Saturday, June 20, where roughly 20 professional and amateur chefs compete with their signature poke creations while guests move through tastings, live Hawaiian entertainment, and a poke-making demonstration by Choy. Winners walk away with $10,000 in prizes, a purple apron, and a crystal poke bowl.

This year's event will also benefit the Alzheimer's Association, Hawaii Chapter, raising awareness and support for the organization's work across the islands.

USA Today's 10Best describes the festival's draw in straightforward terms: "With easy access to fresh fish along its miles of unspoiled coastline, poke has deep roots across the Hawaiian Islands." The word poke itself means "cut into pieces," a reference to how the raw fish dish is prepared and served.

Chefs of all experience levels can still apply to compete. Full application details, event schedules, and ticketing information are available on the Kauai Poke Fest website.