Hi all,

I am a first timer to this forum. I must say, I am quite impressed! I didn't see any postings regarding types of food in Maui. I wonder if anyone can tell me if it is worth going to a Luau for vegetarians? From what I have read, they have a lot of pork and fish at these events.
Also, can one find a decent amount of veg. entrees at most restaurants?

Thanks in advance!
B~

Well, Boo Boo, I was invited to a private "authentic" Hawaiian luau a few years ago. I'm not known as a fussy eater (as my husband says: I'll eat ANYTHING!) and I like to try all different cuisines; however, I wouldn't have paid $5.00 for the food. Now, that's my personal opinion.
As for vetarian restaurants, use my favorite Search Engine: Google

www.google.com

type in Search words: Maui vegetarian restaurants

As for veggie entrees as other restaurants; there's always the old standby: salad and soup; perhaps they'll have a veggie medley as a hot entree; then, sometimes I'll order just from the appetizers with a baked potato. That usually does it for me.

The Hawaiian diet is pretty meat based. I live on Oahu (and I am vegetarian). It is certainly possible to find vegetarian dishes at most restaurants in Hawaii - even if totally vegetarian restaurants are relatively few and far between. The Hula Grill in Kaanapali on Maui has some good vegetarian choices. We live on Oahu and have visited Maui a few times and always manage without any trouble to find plenty to eat.

Luaus are pretty expensive (e.g. $55-$75) and tend to be pretty focused on the roasted pig. My in-laws were visiting and wanted to go to a luau - so we went. Frankly, if you are vegetarian it probably isn't worth the money - unless $70.00 for a salad and a few other choices sounds reasonable. Part of cost of course is to pay for the entertainment. You might be better off finding a hula show some place and skipping the luau part. If you sometimes eat fish your options at restaurants and luaus expand considerably.

I hope this helps. If you want some vegetarian restaurant recommendations for Oahu post back here and I will list some.

A couple of years ago we went to Maui in July and went to the Old Lahaina Luau. I'm vegetarian and didn't have any problems finding something to eat at the luau or the restaurants in Maui.
I think it is worth going to the luau, whichever one you decide on. What I remember most about the luau is the entertainment, not the food, anyways.

I'll offer a slightly different perspective from scigirl's, who also gives lots of great Hawaii advice here. The Hawaiian diet, if we are talking original Hawaiian, was mainly fish, taro, coconut, and sweet potato based. A lot of the problems with obesity that afflict modern-day Hawaiians are the result of their adapting to a high-fat refined products western diet. The pig is always the focal point of a traditional luau, yes, but luaus are parties, not every-day events. Modern (commercial) luaus serve all kinds of non-authentic foods, from fried chicken to macaroni salad, and some dishes such as kalua pig and insipid (two day old, mo bettah) poi. Poi is definitely an aquired taste, but you kind of have to get into the spirit of things, and these foods grow on you. Me, I love all luau foods, especially opihi (raw limpets), poke (raw fish), squid luau (in taro leaf with coconut milk), long rice (an adaptation fm several cultures), the wonderful imu sweet potatoes, lomi salmon (an adaptation from portuguese sailors) and my absolute favorite, haupia. But not for every day fare, with the exception of poke and a nice cold beer

But as far as vegetarian foods, you don't need to worry. Maui has lots of vegetarian options. Sansei, which specializes in sushi does great vegetarian rolls. The upper end restaurants will surely feature grilled vegetable sandwiches, portobello/polenta stacks, asian/thai inspired entrees, etc. I think there's still a wonderful vegetarian foods/juice bar in Paia. Just check the phone book when you arrive. Happy eating!

Thanks Kalena - You make a really good point. I should have clarified that it is the 'modern' Hawaiian diet rather than the traditional diet that is pretty high in meat content. Even vegetarians can find interesting foods to try (e.g. taro leaf) at the commercial luaus. It was the Old Lahaina Luau we went to and the entertainment was great and there was enough vegetarian choices to make a decent meal.