hawaii

wendycs · Joined: 16 Apr 2005 Posts: 48 Location: Ontario

Hello everyone! Long time no see!

I know this is a short while off, but I just found out that I am going to Hawaii for 3 weeks this coming spring. I'll be going to the big island. I was wondering if anyone knew of any gluten free retailers there? I could bring some of my own stuff, but I'll probably run out for one and two crossing the border with food is always a pain! It would be so much easier if I could just buy some stuff there.

If anyone knows of any places where I can pick up gluten free stuff on the big island that would be great!

Thanx
Wendy
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*Wendy*

The Edifying Conscience · Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 2339

Wendy,
When I went to Kauai we had a kitchen and I pretty much stuck to meats/veggies/fruit. A couple of times we went out for sushi--take some tamari or gf soy sauce with you and fresh fish. There was a Walmart on Kauai (and I'm sure there is one on the big island) that was convenient for picking up basic condiments, etc. My beliefs on Walmart have since changed but we were able to pick up a lot of souvenirs from there. They have a huge section of Hawaiian goods. Also, when you go get a picture of the isle of spam--literally.

It may be easiest to send a box with the non-perishables(cereal, pasta, cookies, etc.) ahead of time to the resort where you'll be staying and just carry frozen bread with you. Another thought do you have an extended layover in a major US city. You may have time to hit a Whole Foods between flights.

3 weeks in paradise...have fun.
TEC

barbara june · Joined: 28 Dec 2005 Posts: 36

Wendy - I was in Hawaii for 2 weeks a few years ago. There are health food stores on both the BIg Island and Maui. Look in the phone book for them. I bought some Pamela's cookies and a few Amy's entrees. We were staying in condos, so the rest of the family cooked dinner, I just heated up an Amy's.

I believe there are Outback's in Hawaii, and they have a g-f menu. Ask. There' are also some Roy's Restaurants. That may not be the correct name, but the name has Roy's in it. It was started by Roy Yamaguchi and you can get g-f food there.

I travel a lot and the only food I take with me is one snack bar (protein bar, or whatever you want to call it) for each leg of the flight, and one for each breakfast. Salad will do it for lunch, when the rest of the family wants fast food, I go along and get a salad. You can also get lettuce wraps at most fast food places.

Remember, Hawaii is the USA, you can get anything you can get at home.

Actually, I find it easier to eat on other continents than here. Other countries don't put so much stuff into their food, they are more simply prepared. Just remember to take a dine out card in the language of the country you are visiting. If you can't find one in the right language, the consulate of that country in the nearest big city to you can give you a list of approved translators. I recently paid a man $35 to translate my dine out card into Czech. And the food in the Czech Republic was the best I've ever had on a trip.

You will have a wonderful time in Hawaii, there is so much to see and do, and it's so beautiful. I enjoyed watching sunsets, walking on the beach with my 8 year old grand son, playing in the waves with the babies. It's not all about food!

Noatak · Joined: 13 Nov 2005 Posts: 486 Location: Massachusetts

Barbara June....you raised an interesting point that I had noticed while travelling abroad that I have never heard anyone else mention and that is I also find it much easier to find food in foreign countries because of the fact they don't adulterate their food supply with all sorts of crap, like we do here in America! They just don't eat as much processed foods and it shows. Nice to have someone else notice that also! Laughing

I stick with French restaurants in Europe as they do the best at providing a GF food source. Not good if you are dairy free but luckily, I don't have that added problem with Celiac's. I have a friend who is from Czech and she would like me to visit her country with her someday and now I feel better knowing you had no problem. Thanks!

aklap · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 8096 Location: WI, USA

Noatak · Joined: 13 Nov 2005 Posts: 486 Location: Massachusetts

I just meant that when dining in a French restaurant, it's easy to make GF choices as they are big on fresh veggies, potatoes and meat...and cook it pretty unadulterated. If a sauce comes with it, I just ask for none on the food and they oblige pretty well.

As far as packaged stuff, there was a Whole Foods market in London that I went to and although small in size, they had some GF bread and pastries that I bought and consumed without trouble. All ingredients were listed on the package so it was easy to see if they were GF or not.

I try to rent an apartment instead of staying in a hotel as you can just buy what you need and cook in for breakfast, if you want to have carbs, that is! I always drop a few pounds on vacation, opposed to everyone else, as you have to do an Atkins type menu and you can't help but lose weight! If I go to Czech, it will be easy for me...my friend still speaks fluent Czech so she can translate if there are any problems.

barbara june · Joined: 28 Dec 2005 Posts: 36

My advice is: GO. Never let CD keep you home. The Czech people are warm and friendly and helpful. The food was marvelous and inexpensive. The hotel where we stayed had a huge spread for breakfast. More than most European hotels. I did not have one problem while I was there. In fact, I've been to Europe many times, and have never had a problem. In Italy we actually found a place where we could have had pizza if we had called ahead. We did have gf pasta at that place twice. Go with your friend to the Czech Rep, and let us all know how you liked it and give us a report on the food.

BJ