Hotel Manago

More years ago than I like to count, when I was a little keiki and my father was the county treasurer my parents would travel around the island of Hawaii.  We would stop at a wonderful hotel/restaurant owned and operated by the Manago Family that was located in Capt. Cook.  The food served at this family style hotel/restaurant was always delicious.  Today, the food, the service, and the friendliness of the Manago family and their staff remains much the same.

The Manago Hotel and Restaurant started almost 93 years ago.  Most everyone on the Big Island is well acquainted with the good food and home-style atmosphere found at Manago’s.  Their reputation for serving the most ono food at a reasonable price is known by locals and visitors from the mainland, Europe, and the Orient.  Europeans particularly enjoy the dormitory style accommodations at the hotel while mainlanders enjoy the private bedrooms.  Locals enjoy both styles of accommodations. 

Although Manago’s reputation has grown universally, their best advertisement has come from word of mouth recommendations as well as the internet.  In addition, this famous place has been written about in several mainland editions such as the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times, and Sunset Magazine to name a few.  Next month’s issue of the Gourmet Magazine will feature the Manago Hotel & Restaurant.

This family style restaurant serves fresh fish such as Ono, Mahi Mahi and Ahi daily.  One of their specialties is Opelu.  The local night fishermen regularly catch the Opelu for the Manago Hotel/Restaurant.  However, every month during the full moon the Opelu stops biting for about a week.  During this time each month the restaurant is unable to serve this tasty fish.  On occasion, the Restaurant offers Nabeta.  If this fish is ever offered I suggest ordering it because this fish is truly a tasty treat.  Akule is another fish that makes for a delicious dinner.

In addition to the many delectable fish, Manago’s is famous for their home fried pork chops.  They are the tastiest pork chops ever consumed.  Add a little shoyu and a dash of pepper to spice Manago’s delicious pork chops up to even greater taste delights.  I asked Dwight, the manager/owner and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Manago, what their secret recipe was in preparing their super, delicious pork chops.  According to Dwight, their secret is the cooking temperature, the frying pan, and tender, loving care.  He also added that they serve about 1500 pounds of pork chops per WEEK!

Along with the entrée whether fish or pork chops or whatever, the style of the restaurant is to serve a large bowl of rice, macaroni/potato salad, and an extra side dish.  That extra dish varies; sometimes it is beans or tofu; sometimes it is long rice or some other tasty vegetable dish.

For just plain good food and good fun this is the place to visit….

Manago Hotel/Restaurant is located in Capt. Cook, Hawaii.

Dinner reservations are recommended.

Phone (808) 323-2642   www.managohotel.com

Photos Sterling Kaya