PO‘IPU — The Herbig brothers, Nick and Nate, of the National Football Leaguer Pittsburgh Steelers, have been selected to celebrity judge status, Koloa Landing Resort said on Thursday.
Additionally, The Kaua‘i Poke Fest announced Hawai‘i Community Foundation – Maui Strong Fund as the event’s beneficiary. Proceeds from ticket sales to the event taking place on June 8 at Koloa Landing Resort will support the immediate and long-term needs of people displaced by the Maui wildfires in August.
“As part of the Hawai‘i community, we are continuously looking for ways we can support each other, and in this case, help Maui recover,” said Koloa Landing Resort General Manager Aaron Bambling.
“At this year’s Kaua‘i Poke Fest, we’re very excited to join Hawai‘i Community Foundation, and the Herbig brothers who have a passion for giving back and supporting our community in raising funds for families displaced by the Maui wildfires.”
Ticket sales for the event that feature live entertainment, and 20 professional and amateur poke chefs creating unique and delicious poke dishes for everyone can be ordered online at www.kauaipokefest.com. Early orders earn “Early Bird” pricing on admission that will be donated to the Maui Strong Fund.
The Kauaipokefest website also provides application forms for potential poke creators, both professional and amateur, room packages at Koloa Landing Resort, and more information about the fourth annual event that was voted Top-5 food festivals in America by USA Today.
The Hawaii Community Foundation (HCF) is working with state and county leaders, nonprofit organizations and community members to understand the evolving priorities and unmet needs of families impacted by the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfires.
As of Feb. 8, the Maui Strong Fund has raised $180,216,799.
“All of us at the Hawai‘i Community Foundation express our sincere mahalo to Koloa Landing Resort for donating the proceeds of the 2024 Kaua‘i Poke Fest to the Maui Strong Fund,” said Micah Kane, CEO and president of HCF.
“Everyone who takes part in the Kaua‘i Poke Fest will not only enjoy a great event, but will know that they are helping to support the people and places on Maui affected by the August fires.”
The Herbig brothers, who recently hosted nearly 700 keiki to an All Position Football Camp, are alumni of Saint Louis High School on O‘ahu.
Nick recently completed his rookie season as an outside linebacker, while Nate completed his fifth season in the NFL as an offensive guard.
Following the Maui fires, the brothers teamed up to show their support for their Hawai‘i community, partnering with Dick’s Sporting Goods Sports Matter program to present the Lahainaluna High School football program with a $25,000 grant to support the Lunas. The brothers also created HerbieGives, a program that provides education and opportunities for the youths of Hawai‘i.
“Poke has been one of our favorite foods since we were kids,” Nick Herbig said. “We are stoked to be a part of this event back on Kaua‘i this summer.”
The Kaua‘i Poke Fest was created by well-known chef Sam Choy, who will join the Herbig brothers as celebrity chef.
