Maui’s Aja Eyre named winner of the ‘Anything but Iʻa Poke Recipe Contest’

The Maui Visitors Bureau announced the winner of its sustainable poke contest during an “Earth Night” celebration at the Maui Ocean Center on Saturday, April 26.

Maui resident Aja Eyre wowed the judging panel with her “creative and scrumptious” dish, Roasted Harvest Potatoke Poke. Judges awarded her the grand prize.

The “Anything but I‘a (fish) Poke Recipe Contest,” organized by the Maui Visitors Bureau, challenged home chefs across Maui Nui to create poke-style dishes without seafood.

Entries included a range of locally sourced ingredients such as tofu, avocado, chicken and watermelon. The event was part of a broader effort to promote sustainable food practices and support Maui agriculture.

Eyre’s winning recipe highlighted Okinawan sweet potato (‘uala) and beets as the stars — a twist on a classic local favorite.

“We were thrilled with the creativity and quality of entries,” said Leanne Pletcher, director of PR and marketing at the Maui Visitors Bureau. “Each dish showcased the abundance of Maui-grown ingredients and the deep culinary passion in our community.”

Eyre’s prize includes round-trip airfare for two to Las Vegas via Southwest Airlines, a four-night stay at a Boyd Gaming property with meal vouchers and a Hanapaʻa Seafood lunch for four at Seascape Restaurant. Her winning recipe will be featured at Seascape Restaurant at the Maui Ocean Center throughout May.

Other poke contest finalists included Liana Abreu, Marc Ke Ali’i Toro, Tami Yamamura and Tyler Conarroe. The recipes can be accessed online at mauitourism.org.

All five finalists received an annual family pass to the Maui Ocean Center.

The event was supported by the County of Maui Office of Economic Development, Maui Grown 808, KHON2, Pacific Media Group, Vacations Hawaiʻi, Southwest Airlines and Seascape Restaurant.