From shrimp to oysters, lobster to crawfish, Maine to Alaska and Florida to California, we Americans love our seafood, which is quite evident in the number of festivals celebrating the stuff throughout the country each year.

The 7th Annual I Love Poke Fest in San Diego went swimmingly this week. Not only was it a giant exhibition of the magical food that originated from Hawaii, it was also a celebration of the Hawaiian culture and its values.

The 7th annual I Love Poke festival took place at Bali Hai restaurant this week, and instead of forever smacking my forehead as I’ve done after missing each of the previous years, I finally made it to Shelter Island to gorge on raw fish salad.

The annual I Love Poke Festival in San Diego, California, is a culinary celebration of the native Hawaiian seafood appetizer, poke happening tonight.

When Nino “Neens” Camilo started his I Love Poke Festival in San Diego seven years ago, it was to satisfy the cravings of diners who couldn’t find the popular Hawaiian dish anywhere on local menus.

“It’s the fourth annual I Love Poke Festival, an outdoor tasting event honoring Hawaii and its popular seafood dish­­-the one that approaches Japanese sashimi and turns “poke” into a two­syllable word.”

“This year, Umekes from Kona, Hawaii is flying all the way to San Diego to try and take the poke title.”

“The whole scene was just right. But enough of that. Fifteen restaurants competed for the title of best poke in town.”

“I recently chatted with Camilo about why he started the I Love Poke Festival in San Diego, and here’s what he had to say.”

“Poke, Spam Musubi, and Anuhea. What more could a Hawaii lover want?”