After 5 decades, beloved Pearl City staple ‘Manapua Man’ bids aloha

PEARL CITY (HawaiiNewsNow) - After almost 50 years in business, a community staple in Pearl City is closing for good.

Joe Vu, dubbed as the “Manapua Man,” will serve the last of his ono food, from his white van, this Thursday.

Customers lined up Tuesday near the rainbow bridge at the corner of Moanalua Road and Hoolaulea street.

With word of his retirement spreading fast, items like pork hash, noodles and other snacks sold out in less than an hour.

The owner’s daughter announced her parents’ retirement on social media and thanked the generations of loyal customers who supported the family’s business.

She also said they only make the usual amount of food they sell daily, so they’ll likely sell out quickly.

And she wasn’t wrong, the food sold out within minutes on Tuesday.

The last day to get food from the Manapua Man will be Oct. 24.