In a small corner of Saipan, a bold and flavorful vision is taking root. Niao’s Poke Deli, a passion project turned thriving local eatery, is reintroducing the community to fresh, healthy, wholesome eating through a beloved island dish: poke.

Founded by father-daughter duo Curtis J. Dancoe and Lady Vanessa P. Dancoe, Niao’s Poke Deli began with a memory. For Curtis, a local boy from Hawaii, poke was more than a snack. It was a taste of home and family. Over the years, as he perfected his recipes at family gatherings, encouragement from loved ones planted the seed for something bigger.

That seed has grown into one of Saipan’s newest go-to spots for nutritious, flavorful meals. Niao’s Poke Deli offers a vibrant lineup of poke dishes—from traditional recipes to Curtis’s personal favorite, the classic poke, and crowd-pleasing spicy ahi. Octopus, salmon, swordfish, hokkigai clam ceviche, and Hawaiian mac salad round out the menu, creating a spread that satisfies both the nostalgic and the curious palates.

What makes Niao’s truly stand out isn’t just their favolful bowls, but also what’s behind the counter. “The employees, who help me present Niao’s Poke Deli to the island community, have been my proudest accomplishment,” Curtis shares. “They take pride in their work, treat it like their own, and aim to deliver that wow moment to every customer.”

The deli is selling poke while promoting a healthy lifestyle. Each dish is rich in essential amino acids, omega-3s, and low in carbs and sugar. It’s wholesome food with purpose, packaged with island hospitality.

Like many entrepreneurs in the CNMI, Curtis faced doubts along the way. “Some said I was crazy to start a business in this economy,” he recalls. But with support from the CNMI Small Business Development Center (SBDC), those doubts turned into determination.

“SBDC gave me the edge. They helped me understand the nuts and bolts like financing, planning, marketing. All the things I needed to run the business right. They don’t just see things from the owner’s view, they see it from the customer’s, and that made all the difference.”

That well-rounded perspective helped Curtis build more than a poke deli. With patience, consistency, and a genuine desire to educate the community about healthy eating, he’s created a brand rooted in trust, flavor, and pride.

Looking ahead, Curtis’s vision is steady: “Be patient. Be consistent. Educate the community. And make sure people are happy when they eat at Niao’s Poke Deli.”

To those dreaming of starting their own business in the CNMI, Curtis offers timeless advice from his 40 years in sales and marketing: “Know your customer.”

With that wisdom and a bowl of poke in hand, Niao’s Poke Deli is proving that success comes to those who lead with flavor, heart, and a clear sense of purpose.