The Manago Hotel was first the personal home of Kinzo and Osame Manago, where they lived and made
udon noodles for purchase. Kinzo Manago immigrated to Hawaii while he was traveling to Canada to study English, when his traveling partner lost his money gambling he searched for work. The Wallace family in Captain Cook hired him as a cook, where he saved his money for a
picture bride, his future wife Osame. After taking a $100 loan from the Wallace's, they purchased their home where they sold udon, jam, coffee, and other foods. Once their second child was born, they added another room to the building, and soon taxi drivers and salesmen traveling between Hilo and Kona asked if they could stay the night. They started charging between 50 cents and $1 for a bed or a futon on the floor. In 1929 they expanded to a second floor of rooms and started serving full meals and sake. During
World War II, Kinzo and Osame were contacted by the military to feed soldiers who were occupying the
Konawaena High School. In January 2024 the County of Hawaii Affordable Housing Production Program awarded the nonprofit Mental Health Kokua $5.5 million in funds to purchase the hotel to convert it into
affordable housing. == Cuisine ==