The cherished Pearl City food truck known as 'Manapua Man,' operated by Joe Vu since after the Vietnam War, will shutter its windows for the last time this Thursday, signaling the end of its near half-century run of dishing out local favorites. Vu, affectionately nicknamed for his iconic snack, has become a fixture of the community, having fed local families, school kids, and an entire generation with his manapua and more, according to Hawaii News Now.
As news of the closure spread, devoted patrons flocked to the corner of Moanalua Road and Hoolaulea Street, many seeing their beloved spots on Tuesday where Vu had parked his food truck by the rainbow bridge, but customers realized with the truck's popularity and Vu's reputation items like his pork hash and noodles selling out within mere moments he has always been more than just a vendor—he's been a friend and a constant in a world of change as reported by KHON2.
The last opportunity to enjoy Vu's culinary offerings will be on October 24, with his daughter taking to social media to express gratitude to the legions of dedicated consumers and announcing the inevitability of early sell-outs due to their consistent preparation of a daily-limited quantity of food. This prediction came to pass on Tuesday when items vanished within minutes as revealed by Hawaii News Now.
Throughout his years in service, Vu has left an indelible mark on the hearts of locals with residents like Susan Mahiai recalling his generosity, “He would be like, ‘Ay, Annie! You never have enough money! Why, how much money you get now? So Annie tell em, ‘Oh, Joe I only get $0.50.’ ‘Here here, go take the noodles then,’" she reflected in an interview given to KHON2.
Now, as Vu turns his attention to retirement—planning to use his well-earned resources to spend time with family, work out, and travel—Pearl City bids farewell to a man who did more than just satiate hunger; he fostered community. Patrons who missed Tuesday's rush can still seek a final taste of Vu's signature fare on his very last day, which is today, Wednesday, and if history is any indicator, they should come early, as reported by KHON2.
