(Hawaii 24/7 photo by Karin Stanton)

Special to Hawaii 24/7

More than 40 professional, amateur and high school contestants vied Sunday in the third annual Sam Choy’s Keauhou Poke Contest at the Sheraton Keauhou Convention Center.

Proceeds benefit the $150,000 Equip the Kitchens Campaign for the future Hawaii Community College-Palamanui campus and the Kealii Pauahi Foundation.

New to this year’s contest was a category for using Hamakua Mushrooms and a fun Poke Throw Down. The Throw Down pitted winner Nakoa Pabre of Umeke’s preparing a quick poke in competition with Bryan Fujikawa of Sun Dried Specialties.

Florist Barbara Meheula won the Celebrity Poke Contest, besting pro football player Max Unger, Mayor Billy Kenoi, West Hawaii Today Publisher Tracey Fosso, Miss Kona Coffee 2014 Jeanne Kapela and Facebook Chef Billy Desmond.

Sam Choy’s Keauhou Poke Contest is part of Kamehameha School’s annual Kamehameha III celebration that commemorates the Keauhou-born king, Lani Kauikeaouli. The contest is sponsored by presenting sponsor Kamehameha Schools, plus Aloha Shoyu Company, Suisan Company Ltd., Hawaiian Springs, Hamakua Mushrooms, West Hawaii Today, the Sheraton Kona Resort and Spa at Keauhou Bay, Fresh Island Fish, Coca Cola, BMW of Hawaii, Tanioka’s Seafood & Catering, Sam Choy’s Kai Lanai, Roberts Hawaii, Bacardi, Sun Dried Specialties, Kapa Radio and Young’s Market Co.

Full Results

Professional Division

Category: Traditional Poke

1. Nakoa Pabre of Umeke’s

2. Wade Tamura of Facebook

3. Robin Ganir of Broke Da Mouth

Category: Cooked

1. Peter Kaluna of UH Dining Services

2. George Gomes of King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel

Category: Poke with Aloha Shoyu

1. Robin Ganir of Broke Da Mouth

2. Nakoa Pabre of Umeke’s

Category: Non-Seafood

1. Paul Muranaka of King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel

New Category: Poke with Hamakua Mushrooms

1. George Gomes of King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel

2. Nakoa Pabre of Umeke’s

3. Robin Ganir of Broke Da Mouth

Non-Professional Division

Category: Traditional Poke

1. Ryan Koyanagi

2. Chuck Okazaki

3. Pono Bintliff

Category: Poke with Aloha Shoyu

1. Keauhou Canoe Club Boys #1

2. Shane Lee

3. Cal Haena

Category: Non-Seafood

1. Punana Leo Team #2

New Category: Poke with Hamakua Mushrooms

1. Tori Koyanagi

High School Division

Category: Traditional

1. Konawaena

Category: Cooked

1. Kealakehe

Category: Poke with Aloha Shoyu

1. Kealakehe

2. Konawaena

3. Konawaena

Poke Throw Down

Nakoa Pabre of Umeke’s

Celebrity Poke Contest

Winner: Barbara Meheula, florist

Contestants: Seattle Seahawk Max Unger, Mayor Billy Kenoi, West Hawaii Today Publisher Tracy Fosso, Miss Kona Coffee 2014 Jeanne Kapela and Facebook Chef Billy Desmond

(Hawaii 24/7 photo by Karin Stanton)