 The
Manago Hotel was founded in March 1917 by Kinzo and Osame Manago. It
was then turned over to Harold and Nancy Manago, the 2nd generation,
who managed the business for 42 years. Today, the hotel continues to
operate under the management of Dwight and Cheryl Manago. The
inn has a low-key style that makes it a favorite with Island
folks. They come because the rooms are simple but spotless; prices
rock-bottom at $38 for a single room. Old-timers will recall stopping
by the small original place. Dusting off coffee-farm dirt, they'd wash
their hands at the porcelain basin outside, before going in to eat. During
the World War II year, soldiers used to hang around the hotel. After
the war, Kinzo's son, Harold, bought land and really built up the
place - but kept prices low for the pork chop and akule plates, served
with macaroni salad and daikon/limu tsukemono. Over
the last 30 years, more and more tourists from the mainland and
foreign countries have discovered Manago. "At the same time,
we're lucky the same local working people keep coming. It's a good
mix, where we don't just cater to one or the other," Dwight says. Kinzo
Manago never dreamed that the original hotel with two cots plus futons
would turn into 64 full rooms, and a new three-story wing overlooking
Kealakekua Bay and the City of Refuge. |
