Greer's OC

Poke and Hawaiian lifestyle enthusiasts are in for a major thrill when the 4th annual I Love Poke Festival tasting event and competition returns on Sunday, June 28 from 6 to 9 p.m. at The Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort. The foodie festival celebrates the Hawaiian delicacy, lifestyle and culture as chefs compete for the enviable “Best Poke” title.

Nearly a dozen Orange County chefs will be competing with their versions of the popular fish dish. Distinguished chefs participating include James Harris of 370 Common in Laguna Beach, Shawn Gole of North Short Poke Co. in Huntington Beach, Ben LeFleche of Shades Restaurant & Bar in Huntington Beach, and Julio Hawkins of Fly-n-Fish Oyster Bar in Newport Beach.

Festival attendees can sample poke as judges evaluate each dish based on presentation, quality of ingredients and flavor, to crown the winner. Returning champions from past I Love Poke Festivals will be competing for the title.

The unlimited tastings don’t stop at just poke, there will be Hawaiian and Asian-inspired dishes from 10-12 additional food concepts to taste, too! Some of the offerings include traditional Hawaiian plates lunches, Hula Girls Shave Ice in Huntington Beach and Dough Dough's malasadas in Huntington Beach.

The family-friendly event will also feature live music from Orange County local Loa Greyson, cocktails, and a scenic waterfront setting. 

Tickets are available now for $65 at onoyum.com.

The Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort at 21100 Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach.

Photo courtesy of Ohana Photographers.

Experience The Sand Mandala

In celebration of the Global Compassion Summit July 5 - 7th, honoring the 80th birthday of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, two monks from the Namgyal Monastery in Dharamsala, India are creating a Sand Mandala starting today on the UCI campus through July 3, and you’re invited!

You can experience the creation of this Tibetan art form—a symbol of impermanence—which is expected to take 10 full days to complete.

The mandala being created depicts the celestial house of Avalokiteshvara, the manifestation of compassion in honor of the Dalai Lama who Tibetans regard as the living embodiment of Avalokiteshvara.

You can stop by the Banning House on the University of California, Irvine campus between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

The Banning House is on the UCI Campus adjacent to the University Extension.