Hawaii
Beloved Hawaii Island teacher, wrestling coach retires after 44 years
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Charles Manning was not expecting a hallway filled with screaming students and staff at Pahoa High School last Friday.
“I was in total disbelief and shock and overwhelmed,” said Manning. “I figured, when I opened the door, I’d overlook a courtyard and there’d be a few students and a few teachers.”
It wasn’t just a few. A lot of people came out, some with signs and lei, all to hug the beloved social studies teacher one last time.
“And as it progressed, I can’t tell you how many times I cried, how many students I saw, and even ex-students showed up. It was, it was just overwhelming. I didn’t know what to say,” said Manning.
The 67-year-old is retiring after 44 years at the state Department of Education. He spent 42 of those years in Puna, teaching the proud Daggers and he’s leaving quite a legacy.
“One of my greatest highlights was when I started or helped start the girls wrestling team here at Pahoa High School and in the state of Hawaii,” said Manning.
As wrestling coach in the 1980s, Manning encouraged two girls to be the first in the islands to try the sport.
One of them is the daughter of fellow Pahoa High educator, Iwalani Woo O’Brien.
Sarah Visaya made Hawaii sports history by being the first girl to ever pin a boy on Hawaii Island; an accomplishment that Manning said made front-page news.
“They were powerful coaches who gave my daughter her self worth and self esteem back,” said O’Brien. She recalled Coach Manning and the assistant coach telling the girls, “You can go in there. I know it’s boys, but you can do this.”
Manning’s retirement wasn’t supposed to happen this soon, but a cancer diagnosis shifted his focus on his family. His son was there with him for his last day on campus.
“The school starts to sing the alma mater and that’s where me and my dad both kind of started to cry because we did not expect that,” said Jerricho Manning.
“People would ask me, ‘Well why do you stay at Pahoa?’ and I say because at Pahoa, I can make an impact, and I think I did,” said Charles Manning.
Copyright 2025 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
MANITOWOC (WLUK) — A 200-foot Manitowoc-built crane is on its way to a Navy Base in Hawaii.
Big Blue P-82 sailed out of the Manitowoc Harbor Friday morning to Navy Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on the island of Oahu.
Manitowoc Mayor Justin Nickels posted a bon voyage post to social media, reading in part:
Pearl Harbor is where America’s involvement in World War II began — a moment that changed the course of history. And it is altogether fitting that Big Blue now heads to that very place, because Manitowoc played a defining role in that same war effort. Right here on the same peninsula where Big Blue was built, the people of Manitowoc constructed 28 submarines that helped secure victory and defend freedom around the world. That legacy of ingenuity, patriotism, and hard work is still alive today. The men and women of this community continue to build big things — important things — that support our nation and strengthen our future. Their skill and dedication are part of a story that spans generations. We’re proud of Big Blue, proud of those who built it, and proud of Manitowoc’s enduring place in American history. Safe travels, Big Blue; from a city that helped win a war to the harbor where it began, we wish you fair winds and following seas
BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT
The crane will make the 7,600 to 7,800 nautical mile journey from the Manitowoc Harbor through the St. Lawrence Seaway, down the East Coast of the U.S. before going through the Panama Canal to the island of Oahu.
-
Now Playing
Hawaii authorities searching for suspect after 3 killings
02:08
-
UP NEXT
DOJ investigation into E. Jean Carroll’s Trump lawsuit
02:08
-
Former CIA officer accused of stashing 300 gold bars in his house
02:09
-
Judge declines to jail teenager accused of killing stepsister aboard cruise ship
02:56
-
Matthew Perry’s former assistant sentenced to 41 months in actor’s overdose death
04:12
-
‘Teen takeovers’ turn violent across the U.S.
01:50
-
Secret Service kills man who opened fire at White House security checkpoint
01:57
-
DOJ reveals criminal charges over $90 million in alleged Medicaid fraud in Minnesota
01:25
-
Judge dismisses criminal case against Newport News assistant principal Ebony Parker
03:55
-
Justice Department charges Raul Castro with murder
02:36
-
California burglary ring bust
01:29
-
Search for suspect in Harvard assault
01:26
-
TikTok star accused of murder-for-hire plot to kill father of her child
03:02
-
Jan. 6 officers sue over Justice Department’s $1.8 billion ‘anti-weaponization’ fund
03:57
-
Teacher shot by student takes stand in Virginia
01:45
-
Investigators looking into manifesto left by San Diego shooting suspects
03:22
-
Investigation underway after small explosion near Pennsylvania polling location
01:49
-
Deadly shooting at San Diego Islamic center
02:45
-
Texas banned hypnosis in criminal cases but a man on death row says it helped convict him
08:03
-
Ex-LAPD detective Mark Fuhrman dies at 74
01:24
Hallie Jackson NOW
-
Now Playing
Hawaii authorities searching for suspect after 3 killings
02:08
-
UP NEXT
DOJ investigation into E. Jean Carroll’s Trump lawsuit
02:08
-
Former CIA officer accused of stashing 300 gold bars in his house
02:09
-
Judge declines to jail teenager accused of killing stepsister aboard cruise ship
02:56
-
Matthew Perry’s former assistant sentenced to 41 months in actor’s overdose death
04:12
-
‘Teen takeovers’ turn violent across the U.S.
01:50
Stay Tuned NOW
Hallie Jackson NOW
Top Story
Play All
The East Hawaii community is invited to join state Rep. Chris Todd for a town hall focused on a recap of the 2026 legislative session and important updates impacting Hawaii Island residents.
Todd represents House District 3 (portion of Hilo, Keaukaha, Orchidland Estates, Ainaloa, Hawaiian Acres, Fern Acres, portions of Kurtistown and Keaau).
Community members will have the opportunity to ask questions, share concerns and engage in discussions about legislative priorities and local issues.
The town hall is from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 31, at the Keaukaha Elementary School Cafeteria, 240 Desha Ave. in Hilo
-
World9 minutes agoIsrael, Russia among new additions on UN sexual violence ‘blacklist’
-
News39 minutes agoWhich first lady feared her husband might be having a stroke? The quiz knows
-
Los Angeles, Ca2 hours agoRescued sea lion pups released in Manhattan Beach
-
Detroit, MI3 hours agoSunda New Asian brings bold flavors to Detroit
-
San Francisco, CA3 hours agoDriver Arrested After Pedestrian Killed, Three Injured In Mission District Crash
-
Dallas, TX3 hours agoMcAllen Welcomes Texas Hockey | Dallas Stars
-
Miami, FL3 hours agoPair arrested in connection with armed home invasion robbery in Miami, cops say
-
Boston, MA3 hours agoSaturday storm will bring bursts of rain, strong winds, and… snow?
