Gluten Free Products In Kona And Kauai?

[LauraMurphy]

Hi,

I will be travelling to Kona and Kauai over Thanksgiving. I was wondering if anyone knew stores that sell either kinnikinnick breads or redbridge beer in either location? Also, any recommendations on restaurants and health food stores? thanks Laura

[kenlove]

Hi Laura

I live in Kona and have never seen either here although I don't look for beer. There are a number of health food stores though.

Island Natural, Kona Natural Foods and Healthways. One is in the Shopping center near Safeway above Kailua town, One is in Keauhou Shopping Center and the other in Mango Court in Kainaliu town. On Saturdays we have a farmers market at the keauhou shopping center. Usually my wife makes gluten-free breads to sell there but she fell and broke her ankle in Chicago last week. I'm not sure when she is getting back and she may not be able to walk for a couple of months. You can stop by and say hello and get some fruit. One of the other vendors does make some gluten-free tarts. You do have to be careful though. Sometimes I have to scold some of the vendors who try to sell things as gluten-free when they use spelt. The few of us celiacs here have finally taught most of them that spelt is just as bad for us but now and then someone new thinks its ok.

Most of the breads here are Glutino brand. I was told yesterday that a restaurant here called Rapa Nui in Kailua now has a gluten-free menu. Manago's in Captain Cook will prepare things in a clean pan without breading as long as you tell them. All of the major hotel restaurants are celiac aware. I usually go to Keauhou Beach Hotel where Chef Trask has a lot of offerings that are gluten-free.

I work with the chefs here on menus so its just a matter of letting them know in advance. My son is the sous chef at Roys in Waikoloa. Chef Jim Babian at the Four Seasons, Chef Steve Roulle at the Fairmont all do a great job. Let me know where your staying in Kona and I'll make sure those guys do something good for you.

You do need to stay away from a lot of the local places as they put soy sauce in everything and seldom know the difference between flour and flower at all the Thai places. Not all rice noodles and wrappings are 100% rice.

Nov. 20, 21 & Dec 4 the culinary school has public lunches and they do a great gluten-free job-- they better since I lecture there.

On Kauai there is a Lotus Blossom Cafe that is supposed to be good but every time I'm there its closed.

Take care

Ken

Hi,

I will be travelling to Kona and Kauai over Thanksgiving. I was wondering if anyone knew stores that sell either kinnikinnick breads or redbridge beer in either location? Also, any recommendations on restaurants and health food stores? thanks Laura

[LauraMurphy]

Hi,

I will be travelling to Kona and Kauai over Thanksgiving. I was wondering if anyone knew stores that sell either kinnikinnick breads or redbridge beer in either location? Also, any recommendations on restaurants and health food stores? thanks Laura

Thanks for your info Ken! I am staying at the Waikoloa Marriott...any thoughts or recommendations on nearby restaurants? thanks again.

[kenlove]

Hi, The executive chef at the Marriott is Miles Tokikawa (miles.togikawa@marriotthotels.com). Once you check in, ask to talk with him about your needs. We took classes together years ago so you can tell him to call me if he has any questions. Across the street is Roys where my son Rob is the chef. Even with him I always call to let him know so that he makes sure there is something I like that is gluten free. The same with Merrimans Market Cafe and Merrimans in Waimea. They both prepare great gluten-free meals as long as they know in advance.

Hope you have a great trip, my number is 323-2417 if you have any problems.

Ken

Thanks for your info Ken! I am staying at the Waikoloa Marriott...any thoughts or recommendations on nearby restaurants? thanks again.

[GFLiisa]

Better late than never eh?

I recently went to Hawaii (Oahu and Kauai) and had FABULOUS gluten-free eating experiences at:

Oahu: Waikiki: La Cucaracha, Mexican, fresh, wonderful service and delicious. Duke's Canoe Club in Waikiki. Good serivce and when I stated gluten-free my server knew it right away and made menu suggestions for me. Excellent buffet for Breakfast AND Lunch. Down To Earth had lots of gluten-free food to buy and gluten-free pizza, smoothies and salad bar. I went to a LUAU at the Polynesian Cultural Center, again great service and yummy food. I reserved ahead and made sure they noted Gluten Free on my reservation. When I got to the Luau food area the head buffet person showed me through the line and showed me what was safe to eat and I did not get sick.

Kauai: Sweet Marie's, a gluten-free dedicated bakery from a gourmet baker! Decadent desserts that I haven't had in years, I had here! Reasonably priced and Marie is really a Sweet person! She'll even tell you where to eat and shop gluten-free locally. Roy's, Absolutely wonderful! The first thing the server asks is "Does anyone have any food allergies", superb, but pricey. LUAU: Smith's Tropical Paradise is where I received the best gluten-free dining experience in Hawaii. I emailed ahead to make sure they could accomodate a gluten-free eater. Sure enough they did and stated "While we have several of our food items on our buffet with gluten, you can still go through the buffet line for those items that you are able to eat (we'll walk you through the buffet before dinner starts to point out what isgluten free) and we'll also prepare an additional plate of food that is gluten free. For example, the mahimahi can be grilled and we'll have steamed white rice. If that is fine with you, I think that there would be enough for you to eat at the luau. We'll ask our kitchen to prepare an extra plate of gluten free food to supplement what you can get at the buffet. When you get to the dinner area, please ask for Ingrid and she will take you down the buffet line to show you what is

[kenlove]

Great to know the other islands are waking up to our needs!

Also had a good experience at the Royal Kona Resort last week.

Ken

Better late than never eh?

I recently went to Hawaii (Oahu and Kauai) and had FABULOUS gluten-free eating experiences at:

Oahu: Waikiki: La Cucaracha, Mexican, fresh, wonderful service and delicious. Duke's Canoe Club in Waikiki. Good serivce and when I stated gluten-free my server knew it right away and made menu suggestions for me. Excellent buffet for Breakfast AND Lunch. Down To Earth had lots of gluten-free food to buy and gluten-free pizza, smoothies and salad bar. I went to a LUAU at the Polynesian Cultural Center, again great service and yummy food. I reserved ahead and made sure they noted Gluten Free on my reservation. When I got to the Luau food area the head buffet person showed me through the line and showed me what was safe to eat and I did not get sick.

Kauai: Sweet Marie's, a gluten-free dedicated bakery from a gourmet baker! Decadent desserts that I haven't had in years, I had here! Reasonably priced and Marie is really a Sweet person! She'll even tell you where to eat and shop gluten-free locally. Roy's, Absolutely wonderful! The first thing the server asks is "Does anyone have any food allergies", superb, but pricey. LUAU: Smith's Tropical Paradise is where I received the best gluten-free dining experience in Hawaii. I emailed ahead to make sure they could accomodate a gluten-free eater. Sure enough they did and stated "While we have several of our food items on our buffet with gluten, you can still go through the buffet line for those items that you are able to eat (we'll walk you through the buffet before dinner starts to point out what isgluten free) and we'll also prepare an additional plate of food that is gluten free. For example, the mahimahi can be grilled and we'll have steamed white rice. If that is fine with you, I think that there would be enough for you to eat at the luau. We'll ask our kitchen to prepare an extra plate of gluten free food to supplement what you can get at the buffet. When you get to the dinner area, please ask for Ingrid and she will take you down the buffet line to show you what is

[SJKrup]

Last time we were in Hawaii, we went to Kauai and Big Island. We're going again to the same islands in a few days, so I appreciate getting the latest updates!

We usually stay in a timeshare with a full kitchen, so we only go out once or twice a week. In Kauai, we went to Roys to celebrate our anniversary. Expensive, but wonderful! I had a cheeseburger on rice at Bubba's (in Kapa'a) and of course the shave ice anywhere I can get it! I'm looking forward to Sweet Marie's!

We spent a few days in Hilo at the Old Hawaiian B&B, and the hostess prepared a wonderful gluten-free breakfast. I had contacted her ahead of time, and she was very accommodating. We ended up eating dinner at McDonald's, though, because we got back late from volcano park after several restaurants had closed. We are going there again, and my current research tells me that I can eat at Maui Taco, and I think there's one thing I can get at Jack-in-the-Box. Gourmet all the way! LOL! (Although I plan to have some mochi at Two Ladies Kitchen, too.)

In Kona, we may just go to Outback if we go out to eat. We are staying at the Kona Coast resort, so Waikoloa (sp?) and Merrimans are a bit out of the way. I will definitely check out the farmers market at the Keauhou shopping center. I think that's across the street from our resort?

Mahalo to all for sharing your info!

Susan

[elonwy]

We're staying at the Royal Kona resort for our honeymoon at the end of this month. We're also going to be up in Waimea for a couple days. When we're at my mom's house in Volcano I know we're good, but the other places are more unknown. SO awesome to have an advocate in Kona. Do you know what the lead time for Merrimans is?

[kenlove]

Used to be at Merrimans or Roys I would call the day before or first thing in the AM unless my son was working. Since I know most of the chefs they usually come up with something when I just show up. They are prepared better than they were. The Four-Seasons and Hilton have gluten-free areas and pantry now. My son is now at the Mauna Kea Hotel Manta Ray restaurant although tomorrow he is cooking for the Emperor of Japan (proud pop).

Daniel THeibolt's in Waimea is great too. I would give him an extra day to prepare something.

At Royal Kona chefs Mike Lamb and Zach Reid and Neil Sugai know what to do but Neil has less experience.

My number's in the book! what days will you be here?

Ken

We're staying at the Royal Kona resort for our honeymoon at the end of this month. We're also going to be up in Waimea for a couple days. When we're at my mom's house in Volcano I know we're good, but the other places are more unknown. SO awesome to have an advocate in Kona. Do you know what the lead time for Merrimans is?

[elonwy]

We are on the Big Island the 24th-4th but in Kona the 1st-4th. My cousin lives in Kona too, she is the manager at the pizza hut, which I doubt you ever go to My grandparents live in Ocean View. When we are in Waimea my (soon to be husband- 2days!!!) is going to be working and we're going to be staying at the Keck Visiting Scientist Quarters, but I really want to check out Merrimans. Their menu looks ono. I made an email reservation with them, and they seem very confident with dealing with Gluten free. Thanks for the info on the Royal Kona, that's totally awesome. I'll ring you up when we're in Kona, maybe we can have lunch

Random question- Do you know the Jeyte's? They own the Kilauea Lodge in Volcano.

[jerseyangel]

Butting in here for a second....

Elonwy, congratulations and Happy Wedding! I hope you both have a wonderful time in Hawaii.

Ken--how cool it it that your son is cooking for the Emperor!!!

[kenlove]

Thanks, It is pretty cool -- In cooking school in Japan we had to duplicate a meal served the Emperor in 1923 --

He's lucky they dont have to do that now!

Butting in here for a second....

Elonwy, congratulations and Happy Wedding! I hope you both have a wonderful time in Hawaii.

Ken--how cool it it that your son is cooking for the Emperor!!!

[elonwy]

Woo! We leave tomorrow morning. I have a reservation for Merrimans tomorrow night, and we're both very excited about hanging out on the Big Island. Its going to be so nice to be home. Talk to you soon Ken!

[kenlove]

Great, Hope you can make it to the farmers market on Saturday--

@ keauhou shopping center from 8 to noon

Have fun!!!

Woo! We leave tomorrow morning. I have a reservation for Merrimans tomorrow night, and we're both very excited about hanging out on the Big Island. Its going to be so nice to be home. Talk to you soon Ken!

[GFmeta]

Ken and Laura,

Intersting to see ur conversations, on this date 12/30/2011.\

I'm hoping all worked out well for u in Hawaii and gluten-free.

I've been diagnosed Celiac 25 rs ago - and- hardly ever go to a restaurant "due to cross-contamination".

Would be nice to hear that the restaurants that Ken spoke off in 2008, are they still offering strictly gluten-free foods?

I will be visiting the Big Island, Jan,1-24, 2012 and am eager to visit cafe's & restaurants whom will be able to serve "strictly gluten0free" neals,

Happy New Year in 2012 to U.

Margareta (my email is natmeta@hotmail.com:)

[kenlove]

I wouldnt say any of them serve strictly gluten free meals but they care careful when I ask. Hotel restaurants like the Four Seasons and Fairmont are extremely careful. i feel safer there than at the health food store where some of the kids think spelt is gluten free.-- yeah I have to yell at folks sometimes but they are getting it -- sloooowly! A lot of places I go i just get steamed veggies and rice and still carry my own sauces or dressings although since I live here some places keep them for me like teshimas. Let me know where your staying and i should be able to tell you something about the chef and whats good. -- or if your at a place with a kitchen..

ken

Ken and Laura,

Intersting to see ur conversations, on this date 12/30/2011.\

I'm hoping all worked out well for u in Hawaii and gluten-free.

I've been diagnosed Celiac 25 rs ago - and- hardly ever go to a restaurant "due to cross-contamination".

Would be nice to hear that the restaurants that Ken spoke off in 2008, are they still offering strictly gluten-free foods?

I will be visiting the Big Island, Jan,1-24, 2012 and am eager to visit cafe's & restaurants whom will be able to serve "strictly gluten0free" neals,

Happy New Year in 2012 to U.

Margareta (my email is natmeta@hotmail.com:)