Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Gluten Free Oahu

divamomma

Recommended Posts

divamomma Enthusiast
divamomma
Posted

Hi, I am trying to find good gluten free restaurants in or around Honolulu/Waikiki. We are planning a trip to Hawaii sometime this year. I have found lots of old threads on here but I am looking for some up to date info. I am sure a lot has changed since 2005-2008 (when a lot of these threads were from). So any good places please share! My daughter is celiac so places that are semi kid friendly are best.

Also, any hotel recommendations? Good OR bad ones I should know about?

Any other tips for a first time family trip to hawaii would be appreciated :)

Thanks :)

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


burdee Enthusiast
burdee
Posted

Hi, I am trying to find good gluten free restaurants in or around Honolulu/Waikiki. We are planning a trip to Hawaii sometime this year. I have found lots of old threads on here but I am looking for some up to date info. I am sure a lot has changed since 2005-2008 (when a lot of these threads were from). So any good places please share! My daughter is celiac so places that are semi kid friendly are best.

Also, any hotel recommendations? Good OR bad ones I should know about?

Any other tips for a first time family trip to hawaii would be appreciated :)

Thanks :)

I don't know restaurants in the Honolulu/Waikiki area, because I haven't been there since I was diagnosed in 2004. However, I have been to Maui at least 4 times (2-3 week stays each time) since I began abstaining from gluten and my other 6 delayed reaction (IgG mediated) allergens. I've eaten in many different Maui restaurants and never had any accidental contamination. Nevertheless, I always talk to the manager and/or chef at any new (to me) restaurant about my 7 food restrictions and their menu. I always carry my (self-made and laminated) allergy alert card. So I give that to the manager and/or chef so that he/she can make a copy of my list of allergens. After I eat once at each restaurant, they usually have a record of me and my allergens (as well as my husband and his 9 allergens). Better restaurants in Maui are very familiar with allergy and other health restrictions and can very creatively make their entrees safe upon request. I don't know whether that's true in Honolulu, but I suspect you can talk to restaurant managers and/or chegs about gluten restriction and your options with their menu and do just fine.

I would not recommend any of the "Cheeseburger in Paradise" chain restaurants, because they don't offer gluten free buns. You just get a hamburger patty on lettuce. With my other 6 allergies, I have almost no choices there.

kenlove Rising Star
kenlove
Posted

Most chefs are a lot more aware now than they were a few years ago.

Down to Earth Health Food store has a greta buffet although not all gluten-free they do have a lot of gluten-free goods.

For restaurants, just call the chef first.

12th Ave Grill -- Chef Kevin Haney

Town - Chef Ed Kenny

are two places I go when there and they wil make sure things are done right.

I live in Kona and work with the Univ so its generally once a month.

Chef Mavro @Mavros is great but a bit expensive. La Mer in Halekulani is very good but also pricy. I forget he place name but a more touristy restaurant is the one that revolves -- maybe top of Waikiki or something like that on Kalakaua Ave. Have been there a few times too and never had a problem.

Ohter than visiting the Big island instead of honolulu I cant think of other places but probably will.

good luck and have fun!

Hi, I am trying to find good gluten free restaurants in or around Honolulu/Waikiki. We are planning a trip to Hawaii sometime this year. I have found lots of old threads on here but I am looking for some up to date info. I am sure a lot has changed since 2005-2008 (when a lot of these threads were from). So any good places please share! My daughter is celiac so places that are semi kid friendly are best.

Also, any hotel recommendations? Good OR bad ones I should know about?

Any other tips for a first time family trip to hawaii would be appreciated :)

Thanks :)

  • 3 weeks later...
granolagal Apprentice
granolagal
Posted

I'm going to Oahu soon too and am worried about what to eat. My husband and I have rented a condo with a kitchenette and plan to buy our own food and cook at "home". However I hope we'll be able to go out to eat more than a few times, so I'm interested to read replies to this post as well! :)

  • 2 weeks later...
CeliacAndCfsCrusader Apprentice
CeliacAndCfsCrusader
Posted

I've been gluten-free on Oahu many times. The number one thing is keep in mind that soy sauce is used everywhere and therefore c/c is a real concern.

Awareness is so-so at restaurants, but they're nice about trying to help.

Whole Foods is available in the Kahala area (just outside Waikiki, you'll need a car".

There's also a local chain "Down to Earth" that is a smaller health food chain and there's one close to Waikiki. Good selection of gluten-free stuff.

PF Chang's, Outback and a couple of other chains are available too (good luck with both).

Safeway has some Hormel and other gluten-free brands, but Whole Foods is the go-to place on Oahu.

Hotels are hit/miss as far as c/c and being knowledgeable. The new Disney property on the westside of Oahu WAS very accomodating at their brunch. First stress-free buffet I've had since being diagnosed (they made all of my requests separate and brought out to me).

Best of luck!

PS: Make sure you get to Kailua Beach for the day. Stunning.

granolagal Apprentice
granolagal
Posted

I've been gluten-free on Oahu many times. The number one thing is keep in mind that soy sauce is used everywhere and therefore c/c is a real concern.

Awareness is so-so at restaurants, but they're nice about trying to help.

Whole Foods is available in the Kahala area (just outside Waikiki, you'll need a car".

There's also a local chain "Down to Earth" that is a smaller health food chain and there's one close to Waikiki. Good selection of gluten-free stuff.

PF Chang's, Outback and a couple of other chains are available too (good luck with both).

Safeway has some Hormel and other gluten-free brands, but Whole Foods is the go-to place on Oahu.

Hotels are hit/miss as far as c/c and being knowledgeable. The new Disney property on the westside of Oahu WAS very accomodating at their brunch. First stress-free buffet I've had since being diagnosed (they made all of my requests separate and brought out to me).

Best of luck!

PS: Make sure you get to Kailua Beach for the day. Stunning.

This is awesome!! Thank you!

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. cristiana
      - cristiana replied to KathyR37's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      4

      New here

      Hi @KathyR37 and a very warm welcome here. I am so very sorry that you are going through all of this. I just wanted to check, have you ever been tested for any other gastrointestinal conditions? Cristiana
    2. trents
      - trents replied to KathyR37's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      4

      New here

      @KathyR37, I would suspect that in addition to gluten intolerance, you have other food intolerances/sensitivities. This is very common in the celiac community. The most common offenders are oats, dairy, soy, corn and eggs with dairy and oats being the big two. Have you considered this? Have you tried keeping a food diary to detect patterns?
    3. Theresa2407
      - Theresa2407 replied to Theresa2407's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      2

      Probiotics

      thank you for your advice. I have always taken them and I use Stonehedge because they are in a glass bottle, but don't have to be refrigerated. I also like they are 3rd party tested and state gluten free. But you never know if something better has come alone over the years.
    4. KathyR37
      - KathyR37 replied to KathyR37's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      4

      New here

      Thank you for your response. I have already learned about the info you sent but i appreciate your effort. I am the only one in my family cursed by this disease. I have to cook for them too. I make sure that my utensils are free of gluten and clean after using them for other food. I use non-porous pots and pans and gloves when cooking for them. One huge problem...
    5. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to KathyR37's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      4

      New here

      What you've described—the severe weight loss, the cycle of medications making things worse, and the profound fear of eating before leaving the house—is a heavy burden to carry for 15 years. It is absolutely not your fault. While everyone's journey with celiac is different, the struggles with the learning curve, social isolation, and dietary grief are fee...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,814
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    ColbyBowlin
    Newest Member
    ColbyBowlin
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Who's Online (See full list)

    • There are no registered users currently online
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • cristiana
      New here

      By cristiana · Posted

      Hi @KathyR37 and a very warm welcome here.  I am so very sorry that you are going through all of this. I just wanted to check, have you ever been tested for any other gastrointestinal conditions? Cristiana  
    • trents
      New here

      By trents · Posted

      @KathyR37, I would suspect that in addition to gluten intolerance, you have other food intolerances/sensitivities. This is very common in the celiac community. The most common offenders are oats, dairy, soy, corn and eggs with dairy and oats being the big two. Have you considered this? Have you tried keeping a food diary to detect patterns?
    • Theresa2407
      Probiotics

      By Theresa2407 · Posted

      thank you for your advice.   I have always taken them and I use Stonehedge because they are in a glass bottle, but don't have to be refrigerated.  I also like they are 3rd party tested and state gluten free. But you never know if something better has come alone over the years.
    • KathyR37
      New here

      By KathyR37 · Posted

      Thank you for your response. I have already learned about the info you sent but i appreciate your effort. I am the only one in my family cursed by this disease. I have to cook for them too. I make sure that my utensils are free of gluten and clean after using them for other food. I use non-porous pots and pans and  gloves when cooking for them. One huge problem I have is a gag reflex out of this world and if something doesn't taste good it is not going down. Most commercially made breads and such taste like old cardboard.Pastas are about the same. I did find one flour that I like and use it regularly, but it is so expensive! All gluten free food is way more expensive. I only eat twice a day because I cannot afford to buy all that. We live on a very low income so my food purchases are quite limited.
    • Scott Adams
      New here

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      What you've described—the severe weight loss, the cycle of medications making things worse, and the profound fear of eating before leaving the house—is a heavy burden to carry for 15 years. It is absolutely not your fault. While everyone's journey with celiac is different, the struggles with the learning curve, social isolation, and dietary grief are feelings many in the community know all too well. Your question about whether you should just eat what you want and manage the symptoms is a heartbreaking one, born from years of frustration. It's crucial to know that the diarrhea is a sign of ongoing damage to your small intestine from gluten, and simply managing the symptom with Imodium doesn't stop that internal harm or the risk of other complications. The fact that you are still getting sick within an hour of eating, even while trying to be gluten-free, is a huge red flag that something isn't right. This could be due to cross-contamination in your kitchen (e.g., using a shared toaster, colander, or condiment jars), hidden gluten in foods, or the possibility of another concurrent condition like refractory celiac disease. Don't give up!  This article has some detailed information on how to be 100% gluten-free, so it may be helpful (be sure to also read the comments section.):    
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.