Are you sure Oda said that. This is japan were talking about, perhaps one of the most perverted countries there is. I bet most 15+ year old in japan are mainly thinking about sex so romance would have to fit somewhere. I think oda has full intention of showing romance, but only after all the canon related developments are done. Oda made this pretty clear when he implied Ussops future relationship with Kaya. I think oda is just putting this romance stuff on the backburner which is perfectly fine considering this is a adventure series
You're probably right. I mean, there was so much going on in One Piece before the reunion of the characters. I mean, surely Luffy will realize he's in charge of 2 women on day.