I love making my own version of Luau stew also.  I now substitute using a pressure cooker to reduce the cooking time of the leaves and stems (peeled) down to 30 minutes at 80 psi.  Also, I grew up being taught by my Kupuna that you had to pinch the tips off the leaves or going be itchy; truth that is a just a cultural you no what.  You can continue to do so, but really it doesn't matter.  Thanks great story and ono recipe!