Our Story

“UMEKE” is the Hawaiian word for “bowl.” At any Umeke’s eating establishment, a majority of menu items are designed to be served in bowls. Owner and Head Chef Nakoa Pabre is a seasoned professional who takes pride in giving customers the freshest, most exciting and varied menus that the Big Island has to offer. Guests typically design their own custom meal by selecting from a wide variety of Hawaiian inspired entree items accompanied by their choice of sides.

Our Vision

To promote our brand and values globally.

Our Mission

To share with the world our unique traditional Hawaiian cuisine using the finest local ingredients. Umekes aspires to preserve the Aloha spirit in the communities we serve, encouraging stakeholders to be stewards of the land and sea.

MEET NAKOA PABRE

Chef Nakoa Pabre pleases his guests by offering a variety of popular traditional Hawaiian food creations with a modern twist. Pabre has twice been awarded “Winner Overall” of the prestigious Sam Choy’s Poke contest and his restaurants were voted “Best Poke in Hawaii” in both 2016 and 2017. In addition to winning many other awards, Pabre and his specialty dishes have been featured on Food Network’s popular television shows, “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives,” and also “G. Garvin Road Trip.”