Hawaiian poke
Poke · Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, USA
'Poke' simply means 'to cut' in Hawaiian: fishermen's offcuts mixed with salt and candlenut as a snack.
Know before you go
- Don't leave packaging on the beach
- don't touch sea turtles or monk seals (they are protected by law)
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
Poke is raw fish cut into cubes and dressed with seasonings, served as a starter or main dish; in Hawaiian 'poke' means 'to cut' or 'to slice crosswise'. It began as fishermen's snacks made from the offcuts of their catch. The traditional version mixes raw fish with sea salt and roasted, crushed candlenut (ʻinamona), served with seaweed (limu) and a big bowl of poi. In the 1920s and 1930s almost all the fishing boats in Hawaiian waters were owned by Japanese, and Japanese soy sauce and sesame oil gradually entered poke seasoning.
Local customs
- Supermarkets and corner delis sell it by weight
- choose your flavours, take a box and eat it by the sea
Etiquette
Etiquette & taboos
Rules that apply here
Driving in the US: what to do when police pull you over
- Signal right and pull over safely to the right
- Roll down your window after stopping, before the officer reaches you
- At night, turn on the interior light
- Keep both hands on the wheel and ask passengers to keep their hands visible too
- Getting out and walking towards the police car
- Suddenly reaching for the glovebox, a pocket or under the seat
Sudden movements may be read as a threat and become dangerous. The wording of the rules varies slightly between states.
Not yet verifiedSource: Texas Department of Public Safety driver handbook
Don’t DON'T
- Don't leave packaging on the beach
- don't touch sea turtles or monk seals (they are protected by law)
Locals appreciate DO
Hawaiians appreciate respect for the ocean and not wasting the catch.
Plan your visit
Practical info
Travel tips
- Local supermarket deli counters have fresh poke, cheaper than restaurants. Prices and opening hours are set by each shop
- popular old places often have queues, so go outside peak mealtimes.
Sources & verification notes
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