Our Story

Elmer Guzman was born and raised on the island of Maui. He grew up fishing from the reefs surrounding the islands and thus began his life long love of fish. His love of cooking started early too. While in high school he worked at the local Sizzler’s as a dishwasher and it was the actions of a bored line cook who let him take over the cooking duties one day that got him hooked.

A graduate of Kapi’olani Community College Culinary Arts Program, Chef Elmer Guzman trained in the early 1990s under renowned Chef Alan Wong, at the Mauna Lani Bay Resort & Bungalow on the Big Island of Hawaii. He then apprenticed at the prestigious Greenbriar Hotel & White Sulpher Springs in West Virginia, where he graduated with honors. He then served as a sous chef under television personality and award winning chef, Emeril Lagasse, in Emeril’s Restaurant in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Upon returning to Hawaii, Chef Elmer served as an Executive Chef of Sam Choy’s Diamond Head Restaurant, creating wonderful, innovative seafood dishes that grew from his love and knowledge of island fish.

In 2005, Chef Elmer along with his wife Samantha, opened up Poke Stop located in the Waipahu Town Center then followed up with a second location in Mililani Mauka in 2009.

While Chef has been doing catering since he opened his first Poke Stop, he launched “Chef Elmer Guzman’s Island Cuisine” in 2012. The catering division gives Chef the opportunity to utilize his diverse culinary background to branch out and create delectable and innovative cuisine for all events ranging from private dinners, corporate events, weddings and more.

In 2013, Chef Elmer developed the “Adopt a Farm” program with Mari’s Garden. As a small business owner, he strives to support local businesses by “buying local” whenever possible.

From 2014 until 2019, Poke Stop was one of the companies featured at Hawaii’s Favorite Kitchens in Kapahulu.

In 2018, Poke Stop opened its first franchise location in Okinawa.