Manapua is short for 'mea 'ono pua'a' — 'delicious pork thing' — and it says everything you need to know. Chinese bakeries brought char siu bao to the islands, and it got a local name, a lunch-wagon home, and a permanent spot in the pink bakery box next to the manju and the pork hash.
Steamed gives you the classic pillowy white bun; baked gives you a shinier, slightly chewier crust. Both are correct — pick based on whether you own a steamer basket.
