Choy brings
his poke fest
to North Shore

Chef Sam Choy and the Hapuna Beach Prince resort parted ways this year, the result of which is that fall now brings two poke festivals.

Last month, the Prince sponsored a weekend-long celebration of Hawaii's native dish. As it has for many years, the event included a poke-making contest, a benefit golf tournament and other events. The difference was that the festival no longer bore Choy's name.

This weekend marks the first Turtle Bay Resort Sam Choy Poke Festival, with Choy moving his sponsorship from the Big Island to Oahu's North Shore.

Choy and the Prince resort have said they severed their relationship over differences in the direction of the festival.

The Turtle Bay event will follow the familiar structure of the 13-year-old Big Island festival, with a dinner-auction Friday, golf tournament Saturday and the showcase event, a poke contest for amateurs and professionals, at 12:30 p.m. Sunday.

Entrants will compete for more than $10,000 in cash prizes. Sunday's events will also include a celebrity "Ready, Set, Poke" competition featuring Choy and guest poke-makers. Victoria Ash of Gallo of Sonoma winery will offer samples of wines that complement various kinds of poke.

Admission to the poke contest is $15, which includes tasting of the entries. Children's price is $8.

The golf tournament is open to teams of three golfers who will bid for a fourth celebrity player and an accompanying package of items such as hotel stays and dinner certificates.

Events will benefit the Koolauloa Educational Alliance Corp., an agency the serves public schools on Windward Oahu and the North Shore.

Call 732-6699 or visit the Web site, turtlebayresort.com.