Hi all!
After several years of vacations in St. John
USVI I've decided to try Hawaii. I've always wanted to go and Kauia would probably be my choice. The problem; My husband is DEATHLY allergic to macadamia nuts. No others just macs. Naturally he's concerned about their casual use there. Should I give up the Hawaiin idea or is it possible to avoid them if you don't want them. Thanks for any advice.
Joanne

I can't recall eating one macadamia nut during my 10 day vacation to Hawaii (do not like them at all). Certainly there are no nuts in fresh fruit, fresh fish, steaks etc. When dining out, just let each waiter know about the allergy, whether you see the ingredient listed or not. Please don't let an allergy stop you from going. If absolutely necessary, just follow a liquid diet of frozen daiquiris and Mai Tais.

I merely dislike macadamias, had not trouble avoiding them on my own 10 day trip to Hawaii. When they are present in a dish, they tend to be featured, so they're much easier to avoid than, say peanut products.

That's what I told my husband. He should be safe as long as we cook ourselves and are careful ordering out.
But I told him I would check it out to make him feel better. I'm sure I'll be able to persuade him. Thanks for the input!

Have a good time! You might want to bring along an antihistamine or syringe just to be on the safe side.

Jofus,
My boyfriend is allergic to all nuts (except peanuts) and all fish (except shellfish). It doesn't keep us from traveling around the world and eating all our meals at restaurants! I've learned to always carry some benadryl for him just in case. He can usually tell while he's chewing if he's allergic to something. We often ask if things have nuts or fish in them, but sometimes you wouldn't even know to ask (He thought he was allergic to london broil, but I recently found out that there's fish in Worcestershire sauce). Of course it's easier to ask in English-speaking countries. In Peru they never mentioned in their "English" menu that almonds are a main ingrediant in one of their most popular dishes, so we had some trouble there.

A BIG bowl 'o Macs, a bottle of Pastiche or a good Zin on the lanai while looking out over the ocean and we can call it a meal!

OH GOD! my parents went to Hawaii many years ago and I had macadamia nuts coming out of my ears for the next twelve months!!!!!

Jofus,

I am also allergic to macadamia nuts, but no other nuts (found out several years ago in what my family now calls "The Macadamia Nut Incident" thanks to a TGIF's macadamia dessert.)

I recently returned from Kauai, and let me tell you as a self-proclaimed chocolate addict, I was in dire straits because practically EVERY dessert option had nuts/macadamia nuts. I only ordered dessert once in a week, which is a rarity for me! In fact, my DH and I laughed when we got on the plane and the first thing Aloha airlines gave us was a chocolate macadmia nut treat! Definitely don't give up on the Hawaii idea, but just be prepared that every dessert-y item and several entrees featured Macadamia nuts, in my experience.

Definitely bring the epi-pen and some Benadryl and ask waiters constantly about the macadamia nuts!

jor,
Use MacQ Tips?

Shake your head over my empty bowl a few times, please.

Many foods have mac-this and mac-that, so it's also a good idea to listen/read the descriptions if a menu is posted outside; and to inform the waitstaff more than once.
We've recently had some great sushi and some great "breaded" fish entrees that had mac-encrusted fill-in-the-blank.
Have a great trip!

Do what my friend does and tell the waitstaff "I have a SEVERE allergy and if I eat a mac nut, I WILL DIE." It tends to get their attention better than "please be sure there are no mac nuts in my dinner."