i. Biography
Mark Pomaski is the chef and co-owner of Moon & Turtle in Hilo, after a path that runs through Roy’s Restaurant in Waikiki, where he trained and worked as a sushi chef. The movement is direct: Waikiki discipline first, then Hilo, where local seafood, seasonal Big Island ingredients, and a compact group of talked-about dishes define the work.
Coming Up
Mark Pomaski trained at Roy's Restaurant, Waikiki.
Where They Are Now
At Moon & Turtle in Hilo, Pomaski is chef and co-owner. The restaurant’s cooking centers on local seafood and seasonal Big Island ingredients, with dishes that move between comfort and sharp detail without losing sight of the island pantry. The smokey sashimi is the dish everyone talks about for a reason: local fish dressed in kiawe-smoked soy, Hawaiian chili pepper water, and extra-virgin olive oil. Seafood dumplings come wrapped in house-made fishcake wonton. Saigon scampi is built around sweet prawns and butter. Beef tataki sushi brings together dashi ponzu and daikon. Those dishes give the Hilo restaurant its clearest vocabulary: seafood handled with care, condiments used with intent, and familiar forms turned toward Big Island ingredients. Pomaski has also said, "I've been in a phase where I'm really into Chinese-style steamed dishes." In a career arc with few public detours, the destination is sharply drawn: the training in Waikiki, the sushi work there, and the present-tense authorship of a Hilo kitchen known through its seafood.
Signature
Mark's signature dishes include smokey sashimi.
In Their Words “Hi, I'm Mark Pomaski and I'm the other owner of Moon & Turtle, and my wife and I have operated it in Hilo for the past 12 years.” “I wanted to create something familiar and comforting, so I pulled from homestyle dishes that I make for my staff and family.”
Honors
In 2022, Pomaski was named a James Beard Award semifinalist for Moon & Turtle in Hilo. The honor placed national attention on the work he was doing at the restaurant, particularly the seafood-driven cooking tied to seasonal Big Island ingredients.
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of Mark
What is Mark Pomaski's current role?
As of 2026, Mark Pomaski is Chef and Co-owner.
Where did Mark Pomaski train or study?
Mark Pomaski trained at Roy's Restaurant, Waikiki.
What is Mark Pomaski known for?
Local seafood and seasonal Big Island ingredients.
