Island Manapua

One of the staples in the Manoa Marketplace is Island Manapua. This hole in the wall shop has the China Town feel and offers almost anything you can get at its counterparts in downtown Honolulu. Within the last few years Island Manapua has changed ownership, however many of the same workers continue to work there and the food seems to have the same taste and price. I guess you might be saying “well, why are you writing a blog about this place?” I thought you would never ask.

One afternoon while sitting in from of the TV I thought that bringing a box of manapua and pork hash to my father and uncles would really hit the spot considering it is finger food and I guess you could call it Chinese/Hawaiian comfort food. (If that even exists) They were working on fixing up my father’s apartment complex and looking back on the situation I am glad I wasn’t asked to help.

I walked in the door of Island Manapua to a pleasant sight. Only about 3 people deep in line and during lunchtime. As I waited in line and as always I looked at the fish tank and wonder how only the tinfoil barbs and clown loaches must be to get so huge. (That’s what she said.) When my turn came I put my order in for ten manapua and ten pork hash. The lady behind the counter tells me, “but dozen, cheaper. $10.20.” Taking her word on it I say alright. As my total is rung up in the register I thought about it and asked, “How is it cheaper to buy 12 manapua for $10.20 as opposed to 10 for $8.50? Both come out to $0.85.” The lady responds with a, “oh, it just is a better deal.” At risk of absolutely losing it and causing a big scene I say, “Whatever dude.” And just give her the money. Absolutely steaming I drive to meet my dad and my uncles to drop of the lunch.
It looks like she is learnig to count manapuas. You have to start somewhere.


Although buying a dozen might have been a better idea seeing that my family ate all the food, it doesn’t take away from the fact that the Island Manapua with stop at nothing to squeeze a few wore pennies from its customers, a very shameful thing especially in these tough economic times where customer service should count for something.

Needless to say Island Manapua is OnJordanslist because of their greed and/ or poor mathematic skills. Don’t for get to go to school kids.