Manuela’s Malasadas

Portuguese donut in Honolulu, Hawaii...Manuela's Malasadas is a blue food truck on the Palama Street side of the Hele Gas Station on Vineyard Boulevard. I really wanted to like this small business. The gal working in the truck was really good - efficient and polite.I just didn't like the malasadas. I give this business credit because the competition is tough. There are about four other malasada places that I would rather recommend.First off - the malasadas come in sets of: three for $8 (including tax),Six for $13, andTwelve for $22You can choose to have them plain (no sugar), or rolled in plain sugar, cinnamon sugar, powdered sugar, or Li Hing sugar.For a dollar more, you may have your malasada filled with a flavored cream of your choice (caramel, chocolate, Nutella, haupia, lemon, raspberry, mango, etc.)I chose a set of three with plain sugar, cinnamon sugar, and Li Hing sugar. They came out hot and fresh. I waited about ten minutes for the gal to fry them, toss them in sugar, and place them in a box.The first bite of the Li Hing malasada was challenging because it was temperature hot. It was very crunchy and oily on the outside. The inside was bland and dense - almost like it's not cooked long enough because of the dampness. I tried another bite and focused on the Li Hing sugar to help give the dough some flavor. Awww... I'm disappointed.I'm not even going to try the other two malasadas. Sorry.

Located on the corner of North Vineyard & Palama street in the Hele Gas parking lot.They have a mobile stand that sells Malasadas and ice coffee on the Pālama street side of the parking lot.The employee was very nice and friendly, she said they started from the Big Island and branched out to the Mainland and here, they also have one in the Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie.I ordered the regular sugar and a cinnamon malasada they make it right when you order, so you will have to wait about 8 mins, I was the only one there so I guess if there are more people the wait can be much longer.They also have different flavors if you want a filled malasada, which will be $1.00 more each.The Malasadas are pretty good size and more heavier then Leonard's Malasadas too me it was a cross between a Malasadas & Okinawa Andaji.

I took a chance and stopped by this Malasada truck in Palama & I'm so glad I did! I ordered a dozen and had them split it into two boxes to share with my neighbor. They offered a variety of flavored fillings and coating but I'm a traditional sugar only type of girl. I was told my order would be out in about 7 mins and as was waiting, I was able to meet the owner. Such a sweet humble lady that really cares about her business and her workers. Sure enough, my order was ready less than 7 minutes! As soon as I got home the whole family was excited to try! We each ate a bite of one doughnut....UGH delicious!!!! Crunchy outside, perfectly sugared on the outside & airy on the inside Definitely give these guys a shot & remember, SUPPORT LOCAL!

The best Malasadas in Hawai'i hands down, it doesn't even come close! It makes me want to believe the world is flat!

Tried to call to see what the hours are. Never got an answer which I knew wasn't a good sign. Took the bus over there anyway and sure enough it wasn't open. They REALLY need to post their hours.

Manuela's Malasasdas are unmatched. We go out of our way to get them. Perfection! They are a little scatterbrained; but, so worth it. It's just part of the delight.

They are not at this location anymore. Don't go here, trust google maps lol. We came here and there was nothing here, just a gas station.

My husband and I are here on our honeymoon for a week and we have been here 3 times! We love their musubi and their malasadas! They are so delicious and just the perfect sweet treat we were looking for before and after the beach. The food truck was adorable and the service was also wonderful...they are so kind and friendly making it seem like you are their only customer! We would recommend them to everyone...we will definitely be coming back! Thanks for the best sweet treats!

Employees put a sign up that they would be back in 15 minutes. It's 1:30 pm. I waited nearly 50 minutes for someone to come back. The amount of customers that came and left because they kept waiting more than the advertised sign time was a bit shocking. They lost so much service in less than an hour. I wish I could say the malasadas were good but waiting 50 minutes and I asked one employee when the rest of staff would come back cuz he was just sitting to the side, he said management problems he don't know. How unfortunate.