Vegan and vegetarian options are easy to find in Maui, Hawaii
Scoping out animal-friendly food options on the island
Writer’s note: This June 9, 2016 post was previously published on now-defunct Gurulife.
Vegetarians and vegans will feel a little out of place at a luau. Beautiful as they are, the first thing a vegan visitor will zoom in on is the Kalua pig rotating in a circle, buried in a pit or in the center of a table (face still attached) with an apple in its mouth. Hard pass.
The sight of pork can spoil the mood for animal-friendly travelers. However, there are other food options for vegetarians and vegans while traveling around Maui. Here are a few.
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Whole Foods Market
This grocery store can be a lifesaver for consumers traveling near the Kahului Airport. There are several hotels and motels, including Maui Seaside Hotel, near Maui Mall, where Whole Foods is located. It’s a great go-to for fruits, vegetables, dairy-free, gluten-free and organic options. Make sure your hotel has a refrigerator if you stock up on groceries though.
Recommended Read: “African-Americans could fare well with vegetarianism”
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So many items are sold fresh and may or may not be able to sit out at room temperature. If you don’t have a microwave, stick to foods that taste just as good cold as they do hot. Choosing grocery store items (or not skipping out on refrigerator leftovers) can also help with travel restaurant expenses and lower the cost of room service.
Asian food restaurants
Chinese, Japanese and Thai restaurants are the easiest compromise between omnivore travelers and vegan and vegetarian travelers. These restaurants are notorious for providing plant-friendly foods. One recommended location is Thailand Cuisine near Maui Mall.
Food courts in malls
You’re already in the mall to find souvenirs. Check out the food court area in Queen Ka’ahumanu Center. It has Asian food restaurants such as Ramen Ya. One of their Mexican restaurants, Maui Tacos, has an entire vegetarian section too.
Local Lahaina restaurants
For a $2 all-day bus ride, Maui travelers can hang out in the surplus of art, clothing and cultural shops in Lahaina. For travelers who want to go to a familiar restaurant, try the Hard Rock Cafe. The mashed potatoes are mouth-watering, and the Veggie Loaf burger is pretty good. Vegans may need to inquire about whether butter, cheese or milk are included in any items.
Fruit-filled
Don’t let the pig spoil the entire experience. Learning about how King Kamehameha II ended the separation of men and women eating apart in the 1800s is fascinating. Top it off with traditional Hawaiian music and a dance hula performance. According to Luaus.org, other meal items at luaus include poi (Polynesian food made from the core of the taro plant), haupia (Hawaiian dessert made of coconuts) and whole coconuts to snack on. Sweet potatoes are common luau foods. For women who stand firm in feminism, eating bananas (when they were previously banned by gender) will feel like an added treat!
Entertainment only
If you just want to see the entertainment, Queen Ka’ahumanu Center also has free hula shows every Monday without the food. But you’re already in a mall, so there’s bound to be places to eat before, during and after the show.
Aloha!
MAUI RECOMMENDED READS:
“Cheap travel: 10 things to do in Maui Hawaii for $5 or less”
“Embracing ‘island brain’ in Hawaii ~ How paddleboard yoga helped ease my mind from a family member’s death”
“Memories of Lahaina Hawaii and steam locomotives ~ The Sugar Cane Train was my intro to Lahaina in Maui”
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