HI Barbeque Expands Hawaii’s Barbecue Culture with Summer Contest

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – HI Barbeque is preparing for its third annual Curley Que Classic, set for July 31, 2027, at Pearl Harbor, which will bring together barbecue teams and enthusiasts. Last year, the event attracted 12 teams, and organizers anticipate a rise to around 20 teams this year, including both local and mainland competitors.

Lisa and Crash Dejournett from HI Barbeque demonstrated the process of preparing spareribs into a competition-style St. Louis cut. They use a mustard binder to adhere the rub before smoking the meat for four to six hours, relying on indicators like color and texture to determine readiness. HI Barbeque focuses on Kansas City-style barbecue, known for its sweeter, saucy flavor, and actively engages with local schools and community events, including the Kaiser High School Farmers Market.