Suisan Celebrates 110 Years, Hosts Poke Takeover with Sheldon Simeon

Suisan Fish Market in Hilo is celebrating 110 years in business with a birthday event on Thursday, Sept. 7, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring Top Chef finalist, and Tin Roof executive chef, Sheldon Simeon.

Suisan Fish Market in Hilo is celebrating 110 years in business with a poke takeover with Sheldon Simeon on Thursday, Sept. 7. Photo Courtesy: Suisan

To celebrate the milestone, Simeon has five creative poke combinations that are available for one day only, including Singulaw, Ahi garnished with fried pork belly, coconut vinegar and coconut milk; Da Lox, salmon three ways mixed with cream cheese, onion, ikura and dill; and Bam Bam, chunks of tofu and watermelon seasoned with nuoc cham and a mixture of fresh herbs, peanuts and toasted sesame seeds.

The birthday event will also feature pop-ups by local chefs from Seaside Restaurant, Ponds Hilo and Cousins Seafood & Bento, which will prepare samples using an array of products Suisan distributes.

Throughout the month of September, Suisan will be giving away 110 poke bowls via social media contests.

“It is humbling and gratifying to be part of Suisan as it celebrates 110 years of service to Hawai‘i Island,” said Stephen Ueda, president and CEO of Suisan. “We would not be here without the support of our hardworking and dedicated employees and our loyal customers. We look forward to another century of innovation and growth, while always taking care of the customer.”

Founded on Sept. 7, 1907, Suisan has grown from a fish market cooperative to Hawai‘i Island’s premier broadline food distributor. Over the last 110 years, Suisan faced many challenges including two tsunamis and having its property seized in World War II and its principal, Kamezo Matsuno, sent to an internment camp. More recently, Suisan suffered a fire that claimed its main office and warehouse in 2014.

Today, Suisan employs 185 and has a fleet of 33 refrigerated trucks. It inventories more than 5,000 products and serves more than 1,000 wholesale customers including restaurants, schools, healthcare and government facilities, resorts and institutions islandwide.

Suisan is located at 93 Lihiwai St, Hilo, HI 96720.