Poke to perfection

Karen Hasegawa, left, teaches Cierra Bianchini weaving techniques at the Hawaii Island Festival Saturday at the Queens' MarketPlace. (Laura Ruminski/West Hawaii Today)
Royal Court member Kehaulani AhQuin samples an entry at the Hawaii Island Festival Poke Contest Saturday at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa. (Laura Ruminski/West Hawaii Today)
Trae Alcoran, right and Lawrence Castro plate a Waikoloa Marriott entry for the Hawaii Island Festival Poke Contest Saturday at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa. (Laura Ruminski/West Hawaii Today)
Poke creations line the tables at the Hawaii Island Festival Poke Contest Saturday at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa. (Laura Ruminski/West Hawaii Today)
A Poke Pizza is presented at the Hawaii Island Festival Poke Contest Saturday at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa. (Laura Ruminski/West Hawaii Today)
First time contestants Jaren Niimi and Darren Hakoda prepare their entry in the amateur category at the Hawaii Island Festival Poke Contest Saturday at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa. (Laura Ruminski/West Hawaii Today)
Poke creations line the tables at the Hawaii Island Festival Poke Contest Saturday at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa. (Laura Ruminski/West Hawaii Today)
Poke creations line the tables at the Hawaii Island Festival Poke Contest Saturday at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa. (Laura Ruminski/West Hawaii Today)
Prizes are given in different categories at the Hawaii Island Festival Poke Contest Saturday at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa. (Laura Ruminski/West Hawaii Today)
Anne Baker samples entries at the Hawaii Island Festival Poke Contest Saturday at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa. (Laura Ruminski/West Hawaii Today)
Guests sample and vote on their favorite creation at the Hawaii Island Festival Poke Contest Saturday at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa. (Laura Ruminski/West Hawaii Today)
Jennifer and Brian Sequeira of San Francisco sample entries at the Hawaii Island Festival Poke Contest Saturday at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa. (Laura Ruminski/West Hawaii Today)
Claire Nakamura holds baby Enshin while Kayleigh feeds her poi at the Hawaii Island Festival Poke Contest Saturday at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa. (Laura Ruminski/West Hawaii Today)
Randy Lee makes a white ginger lei at the Hawaii Island Festival Saturday at the Queens' MarketPlace. (Laura Ruminski/West Hawaii Today)
Karen Hasegawa, left, teaches Cierra Bianchini weaving techniques at the Hawaii Island Festival Saturday at the Queens' MarketPlace. (Laura Ruminski/West Hawaii Today)

WAIKOLOA BEACH — Amateur and professional chefs gathered at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa to showcase their special p0ke recipes Saturday at the Hawaii Island Festival Poke Contest.