Hawaiian Luau!
Aloha!
We had a fun and successful Gluten Free Luau experience! We’ve been successful before, but each time we go I learn a bit more about how to be more successful with less anxiety. It helps that we go back to the same place each time, The Mauna Kea Beach Resort. Their Luau menu is the same, every time, but they do make some changes to the performance year to year; which provides predictability with the food and excitement for the show. Luckily they always have an amazing fire dance, it’s one of my favorite parts of the show.
For us, the Gluten Free options are in-line with the types of food that we like to eat; which makes it easier for us to have a filling meal: traditional Hawaiian Kālua pig, slow roasted turkey, seafood options, fruit and salad. The menu is fairly meat heavy, but there are some great meat free options. There is a Gluten Free mashed potato dish that is a combination of taro root and potatoes.
Mauna Kea has their food laid out in a buffet, which generally makes me very nervous and concerned about cross-contact. They do have clear allergen labels next to the dishes, but once enough people have gone through the line all bets are off if any dish can still claim to be gluten or dairy free.
So, what is my strategy to ensure my daughter’s plate of food is safe, despite the buffet? I’m the first person to arrive in the food area and go straight to the food that she wants and load up her plate so that she doesn’t need to go back for more. The chef and cooks are on hand and are ready to answer any questions that someone might have and are great with accommodating special needs. They know exactly how crazy the food line can be and how serving utensils can travel between dishes; which leads to cross-contact and unsafe food.
In addition to making sure I’m the first one near the food, I also skip the traditional wooden plates that are used. Who knows how much gluten is stuck in the groves of those very well used plates. I head straight for the stack of sparkly clean white plates on the fruit and dessert table, taking the second or third plate down. That may sounds crazy, to not take the top plate, but you never know, crumbs are no longer insignificant things when dealing with being gluten free because of having celiac disease. I’ve learned to be ok with making choices that may seem a bit over the top when it comes to keeping my daughter healthy; and really, who cares?
I bring our NIMA Partners Sensor and Capsules so that I can test samples of her food if there are new items that she’d like to try or if we’re feeling nervous. So far we’ve been successful and have eaten dinner at the Luau without issues.
While the food is an interesting part of the evening, it’s fun to have the chance to eat some traditional Hawaiian dishes, the main reason why we go is for the amazing performances. I would recommend going to a Luau, even if the food isn’t gluten free or you don’t feel comfortable with the gluten free options. Bring your own food or eat before and enjoy the show. The fire dancer is one of the definite highlights.
Below are a few photos of the Kālua pig being dug out of its slow roasting pit and my daughter’s plate. Her favorite things to eat are the strawberries and the Kālua pig. Unearthing the slow cooking pit is a fun process to watch, and the results taste amazing. Unfortunately I don’t have photos from the performance as I did follow the rule of not taking pictures, but we loved it. If you have the chance to see a great Luau, definitely don’t let the food stop you. Go.
If you would like additional support navigating living gluten free…
Disclaimer:
While we have nearly ten years’ experience of navigating the world as the parent of a child with Celiac Disease, we are not physicians, nutritionists, or other licensed medical professionals. The material and content contained in the Services is for informational purposes only and are not intended to serve as a substitute for consultation, diagnosis or medical treatment by a licensed medical professional. Please consult your doctor for any medical or health-related questions. The information contained in the Services should NOT be used to disregard medical or health-related advice from a physician or licensed medical professional.