2nd Annual Bake-Off at the Capitol

Rep. Tokioka, David R. Earles – Executive Director of the Hawaii Meth Project, Bake-Off contestants and judges (left to right) Chef Roy Yamaguchi of Roy's, Chef Alan Wong of Alan Wong's, Chef Hiroshi Fukui of Hiroshi Eurasian Tapas and Chef Kelvin Ro of Diamond Head Market & Grill

This year, Representative Tokioka's Office held its 2^nd Annual Hawaii State Capitol Bake-Off to support the efforts of the Hawaii Meth Project.  Approximately 20 contestants entered over 40 treats into one of the four categories (Cookies, Cupcakes, Pies and Miscellaneous).  Celebrity Judges included Chef Roy Yamaguchi of Roy's, Chef Alan Wong of Alan Wong's, Chef Hiroshi Fukui of Hiroshi Eurasian Tapas and Chef Kelvin Ro of Diamond Head Market & Grill.  After much consideration and lots of tasting, the judges voted and selected the following category winners:

Cookies:               "Fugly but Tasty"

                                Ms. Amy Luke (Governor's Office)

                                Prize: Dinner for Two at Alan Wong's Pineapple Room

Cupcakes:           "Lemon Lava Cupcakes"

                                Ms. Jasmine Manabat (Rep. Tokioka's Office)

                                Prize: DK Restaurants $100 Gift Card

Pies:                      "Deconstructed Banana Cream Pie"

                                Ms. Haunani Nagel (Rep. Aquino's Office)

                                Prize: Dinner for Two at Roy's

Misc.:                   "Beautiful Trifle"

                                Ms. Haunani Nagel (Rep. Aquino's Office)

                                Prize: Diamond Head Market & Grill Gift Card

The contestants were also asked to write a short message as to what the Meth Project meant to them.  Mr. David R. Earles, Executive Director of the Hawaii Meth Project, then read their messages and selected Ms. Haunani Nagel of Rep. Aquino's Office as the winner of the "What Meth Means to Me" category.  Ms. Nagel won a Gift Bag from the Hawaii Meth Project.

This year's overall winner (which was calculated by totaling the scores of all five categories) received two tickets to the Hawaii Food and Wine Festival and was awarded to Ms. Haunani Nagel of Rep. Aquino's Office. 

Last, but certainly not least, was the Buyer's Choice category.  Each patron was given an entry blank to select their favorite tasty treat.  Ms. Susan Iwata of the HMSO overwhelmingly won this category with her Apricot Bar with Salami & Gorgonzola. 

Team Tokioka, with the help of Ms. Denise Yamaguchi and many others were able to raise just over $1,300.00 to benefit the Hawaii Meth Project!