When I first tried to schedule an interview with Elmer Guzman, chef/owner of the popular Poke Stop (@pokestop) for a story in a local travel magazine, his public relations person told me he would be available — in two weeks.

“He’s really busy.”

Apparently.

And after meeting him, I can see why.

This Baldwin High grad manages two locations — one in Waipahu, another in Mililani Mauka. He spends his weekends catering events — once he catered six weddings on a single Saturday — and is working on franchising his casual-eats concept that focuses on innovative poke, quality seafood and hefty plate lunches.

He carved out some time between a photo shoot to answer a few quick questions for my blog:

1. What’s your favorite poke?

Creamy ‘ahi. I came up with the recipe myself.

2. Why not open a Poke Stop in town or on a different island?

Eventually, the leeward side will be pumping. And the communities out there already have their (poke) places. I want to grow old with this community.

3. I hear you’re into beer now. What’s your favorite brew?

Right now, Blue Moon. I like the citrus tones in there. Because I deal with seafood, I’m always drawn to citrus to cleanse my palette.

4. If you weren’t a chef, what would you be doing?

I wanted to be a sportscaster. But this just fell into my lap.

5. OK, so what are your favorite teams?

For football, it’s Dallas; basketball, the Lakers; and baseball, Dodgers. But I’ve liked them for a long time.

Meaning, he’s no frontrunner. But we’d never think that anyway.

Poke Stop

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Guzman opened his first Poke Stop in 2005 in Waipahu. It was so popular, he opened a second location a few years later in Mililani Mauka.

Poke Stop Mililani Mauka, 95-1840 Meheula Parkway. Hours: 8 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday. Phone: (808) 626-3400. Also, there’s a location in Waipahu.