A local manapua chain has expanded into a full sit-down restaurant, a small win for Waimalu diners and a sign of life in a shopping center that lost its anchor.

• Aloha Manapua opened its first full-service eatery at Waimalu Shopping Center, in the space that once held the island's first Zippy's.
• The menu goes well beyond manapua: 38 kinds of Hong Kong-style dim sum, plate lunches, and steamed and baked manapua.
• Ginger fried chicken is the top seller, and a mahi mahi plate and roast pork with gravy are new to this location.
• The company also took over Honolulu Kitchen in Waipahu, giving it three locations under one brand.

Outlook: Expect the chain to lean on its plate lunch and dim sum menu to build repeat business in a spot Hawaii diners already know well.