Manapua

Manapuais theHawaiianadaptation of the Chinese bun,baozi, derived specifically fromchar siu bao. However, in contemporary times, the term is generally applied to a largechar siu baoor other steamed, baked, or friedbaovariations of different fillings.
Thesebaowould later be known asmanapua, said to be aportmanteauof theHawaiianphrasemea ʻono puaʻa, roughly translated as "pork cake"-mea ʻonoreferring to any food item encompassing dessert, cake, pastry, cookieandpuaʻameaning "pork" or "pig".
The prospect of financial reward found in thesugar industrycaused muchChinese immigrationstarting in the mid 1800s. The Chinese would bring along with them their foods includingbaozi, acarbohydraterich food essential for sustenance against the intense physical labor demanded in sugar production.Some of these Chinese laborers, who would later be known as a "manapua man", would peddle theirchar siu baoin the plantation fields and to other plantation camps by foot and later by vehicle for additional income.
These traditionalchar siu baowould eventually grow in size into the modernmanapuaknown today. Bat Moi Kam Mau is credited with retailing the first largechar siu baoin the 1940s at hermanapuashop "Char Hung Sut".Honolulurestaurant Royal Kitchen claimed to have been one of the first retailers of baked manapua in 1974.
Whilemanapuadimensions are not formally regulated, once cooked, many are close to 4-5 inches (~13cm) in diameter and 3-4 inches (~8cm) in height. On the other hand,char siu baosold in many classicChinese restaurantsstill retain their original size and shape and are simply known by its original name rather thanmanapua.
Char siuremains a staple filling. However, its preparation is sometimes simplified to pork withchar siuflavoring rather than being prepared with actual roastedchar siu. Other fillings have been introduced, some reflecting the various ethnic groups inHawaii. Other common meat fillings include:lap cheongandhot dogwhich uses a full (uncut) sausage,chicken curry, andkaluapork. Vegetarian options include:black bean pastecommonly known as "black sugar",azukisimilar toanpan,Okinawan purple sweet potato(sometimes mislabeled asube).
A single bun can be consumed as a "meal in itself" or divided and shared as a snack along with other local styledim sumitems. 
Older standalonemanapuashops will also offer a handful of other dim sum items such asfun guoknown as "pepeiao",gok jaior "half moon" which are normally steamed,shumaior "pork hash". Like themanapua, these too, have become twice the size of their original counterparts.Manapuaand these otherdim sumitems are often bought in bulk asomiyagewhen traveling to the neighbor island or out-of-state, or shared in office meetings or breakrooms akin to donuts.
In the 1970s,manapuahawkerswould trade in theircarrying polefor a convertedfull-size van.These modern hawkers, affectionately known as a "manapua man," would drive their "manapua van" through neighborhoods very much like anice cream truckplaying music to attract customers or are found parked at certain locations like afood truck. They are a beloved sight for neighborhood children and passerby looking for a very affordable quick meal or snack.Some vans are more akin to aconvenience storeon wheels, sometimes not sellingmanapuaat all. Items sold range fromchow meinto candies, burgers tofountain drinks, and at one point, cigarettes and beer.