HONOLULU (KHON2) — Poke is a dish created by Native Hawaiians and perfected by local immigrants. But according to online reviews, the best poke in the country is not from Hawaii. And one world-renowned chef who’s credited with poke’s popularity calls it a “slap in the face.”

People are willing to stand in long lines every day for poke. So to say the best in the country is not in Hawaii – that’s fighting words for some.

“So for you to say that, yeah, I kinda like scrap kine,” said Branden Machado, poke connoisseur.

“Nah, I laugh, I laugh,” said Mike Sablay, poke connoisseur.

The restaurant in Big Bear, California, is called Tropicali and was recently reported to have America’s best poke, based on Yelp.

“When I heard that, I was very upset, because I well know, and as you well know, and our millions of listeners and watchers of our station, they well know that the best poke is in Hawaii,” said Sam Choy, world-renowned celebrity chef/restaurateur.

“When I read that, I felt a little slighted,” said Chris Kam, Alicia’s Market. “Understandable, people from the mainland don’t really know what Hawaiian poke is about.”

With a large shark’s head as the front entrance, the decor – just like the menu – is said to be based on Hawaiian culture, but not to emulate it. So poke there – and elsewhere on the continent – looks much different from the poke bowls we’re used to seeing in Hawaii.

“It came with cucumbers, it came with won ton strips, I ordered the spicy one, so it came with the spicy sauce, and then I ordered unagi sauce on the side, and it tasted so good,” said one anonymous local who tried Tropicali and liked it. “It tasted so fresh, I was so surprised it was crazy.”

“That’s not poke, that’s like a salad,” said Kam.

“Nah, nothing can beat back home,” said Sablay. “Everything over here is like the best. Everything’s all local, everything’s all fresh.”

“Like on Oahu, we have the freshest fish, we have the best recipes, like and it’s not only us,” said Justin Tanioka, Tanioka’s Seafood & Catering. “It’s other companies around the island that have mastered poke.”

Since this is a Yelp award, having great Yelp reviews does help. Tropicali currently has more than 4,000 reviews and maintains a 4.9 Star rating. However, locals say to declare themselves the best in the country for a food that’s not only born in Hawaii, but beloved in Hawaii, is extremely bold.

“It’s definitely a slap in the face for all the poke makers in Hawaii who work unbelievably hard to create their magical dishes,” said Choy. “Two things. One, we use fresh fish. And the other one is tender loving care, TLC is in there. We’re putting our heart and soul in that. We’re representing our history, we’re representing our aina, we’re representing all the people in the past that made poke.”

“It’s all preference, and you know where you are,” said Tanioka. “But to me, the best poke in the world, honestly, is in Oahu.”

“Cuz check that out, Big Bear ain’t got nothing on this, my cuz,” said Machado. “We get the best poke in the world. Bumbye, we teach you.”

KULA (HawaiiNewsNow) – A Maui man was sentenced to 40 months in prison for setting off a homemade explosive device near Kaamana Street in Kula, back in August 2024.

According to court records, Jess Kiesel Lee, 43, planted multiple homemade fireworks in the area, one of which had Lee’s finger prints on it.

The Maui Police Department worked with the FBI to determine that at least one of the devices contained a mixture of compounds consistent with explosive firework powder.

A month later, an FBI search of Lee’s residence in Kula uncovered methamphetamine, firearms, ammunition, and IEDs containing flash powder.

Lee admitted to knowingly possessing that explosive powder after as a convicted felon.

U.S. District Judge Jill Otake noted that fireworks pose a danger to both individuals and the general public.

Otake went on to say that Lee’s placing his homemade firework near a wooded area on Kaamana Street placed the surrounding community in danger considering Maui’s susceptibility to wildfires.

“The protection and safety of our community is our highest priority,” said U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson. “We have witnessed the serious harm and life-threatening danger presented by the possession and use of illegal explosives in our local communities, including illegal fireworks. We pledge to aggressively investigate, charge, and convict those who unlawfully construct, possess, or detonate explosives and explosive materials. We credit our steadfast partners at the FBI for their outstanding investigative efforts in this case.”

Federal law prohibits convicted felons from possessing any explosive shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce.

“Homemade explosive devices present a significant danger to our island communities,” said FBI Honolulu Special Agent in Charge David Porter. “The FBI—in coordination with our law enforcement partners—is committed to using every tool available to hold criminals accountable when they threaten public safety.”

Following his prison sentence, Otake sentenced Lee to three 3 years of supervised release.

Copyright 2025 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.

Nearly 40 percent of annual proposals happen between Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day. Simple Hawaii Wedding prepares for its busiest inquiry period as newly engaged couples seek intimate and affordable Hawaii destination weddings.

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii – December 9, 2025 – As the holiday season approaches, Simple Hawaii Wedding is gearing up for what the wedding industry calls “engagement season”: the magical period between Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day when nearly 40% of all marriage proposals take place.

Approximately 2.5 million couples get engaged annually in the U.S., with 19% of proposals happening in December alone, more than double any other month. Christmas Day ranks as the most popular proposal day, followed by Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

“Based on our experience, we typically see a significant uptick in wedding planning inquiries starting in January as newly engaged couples begin researching their dream wedding locations,” says Karma Hill, founder of Simple Hawaii Wedding.

Smart Couples Choose Intimate Celebrations

Wedding costs have reached record levels, with the average U.S. wedding now costing $36,000 in 2025, up from $29,000 in 2023.

In response, micro-weddings, intimate celebrations with 50 guests or fewer, now represent 18% of all U.S. weddings, up from just 10% in 2013. Industry experts estimate micro-weddings cost over 50% less than traditional celebrations, allowing couples to invest in what brings them joy, an unforgettable honeymoon, a down payment on a home, or peace of mind starting married life.

Hawaii Remains Top Choice

Hawaii ranks among the top three destination wedding locations in the U.S., with approximately 20,000 couples choosing the islands annually. The Hawaii destination wedding industry is projected to grow at 11.6% annually.

“The shift toward intimate weddings isn’t just about saving money, it’s about creating a more meaningful experience,” Hill explains. “The Big Island offers everything from pristine beaches to volcanic landscapes, and we make planning stress-free with all-inclusive packages.”

According to industry research, 30% of couples are reducing guest lists by an average of 25 people, prioritizing quality connections over large-scale productions.

The Simple Hawaii Wedding Difference

Simple Hawaii Wedding specializes in intimate Big Island ceremonies for 50 guests or fewer. With over 20 years of planning experience, the company partners exclusively with professional photographers, officiants, and vendors.

“We handle permits, photography, officiants, florals, and coordination,” says Hill. “Couples can have their dream wedding without the financial strain, emotional stress, or the logistics of a 150-person event.”

Planning Tips for Holiday-Engaged Couples

For couples who get engaged this holiday season and are considering a Hawaii destination wedding, Simple Hawaii Wedding recommends:

1. Book early – The most popular wedding dates (May, July, and October in Hawaii) fill up quickly

2. Consider the off-season – February, March, and January offer beautiful weather with fewer crowds

3. Start planning 9-12 months in advance – This is the average timeline for destination weddings

4. Research all-inclusive packages – They simplify planning and often provide better value

5. Trust local experts – Work with planners who know the locations, vendors, and permit requirements

“Our goal is to take the stress out of planning,” says Hill. “We create simply beautiful weddings that are authentically you, without breaking the bank.”

About Simple Hawaii Wedding

Simple Hawaii Wedding provides premium wedding planning services for intimate Big Island weddings, elopements, and vow renewals. Founded by Karma and Steve Hill, the company offers complete wedding packages featuring professional photography through Karma Hill Photography, experienced officiants, stunning floral arrangements, and seamless coordination. Simple Hawaii Wedding provides premium wedding planning services for intimate Big Island weddings, elopements, and vow renewals. Founded by Karma and Steve Hill, the company offers complete wedding packages with professional photography through Karma Hill Photography, experienced officiants, stunning floral arrangements, and seamless coordination.

The company serves the Kona and Kohala coast of the Big Island and also operates Simple Maui Wedding, Simple Oahu Wedding, and Karma Hill Photography, extending a superior standard of service across all island locations.

For more information, visit simplehawaiiwedding.com.

Media Contact
Company Name: Simple Hawaii Wedding
Contact Person: Steven Hill
Email: Send Email
City: Kailua-Kona
State: Hawaii 96740
Country: United States
Website: https://simplehawaiiwedding.com

Press Release Distributed by ABNewswire.com

To view the original version on ABNewswire visit: Holiday “Engagement Season” Set to Spark Wave of Hawaii Destination Wedding Bookings