How did you first hear of Imua Family Services?
It was an option for my daughter growing up. She just missed the age cutoff and we couldn’t benefit from the services.
Sangrita Grill seems to be a passion project of yours. What was the seed that began all of this?
I felt Maui needed an upscale Mexican food and bar featuring some of the best Tequila and Mezcal available in US. I was closing Cilantro due to bad location after 10 years.
Maui is a tight knit community. Why do you think it’s important to be involved?
Because it is a small community you can witness the benefit of giving and a lot of time I have a personal affiliation with the people who are benefiting and it makes me feel good. My father taught me at a very young age to give with one hand and take with the other. Meaning that the more you give the more you get back in return and the world will be a better place!
Can you think of a time when you were considered ‘different?” If so, how did you work through that?
All my life, I have felt different. I left my home country at the very young age of 15 and was sent to England to school. It was a new language, new culture with no family support and I was defiantly an outsider and on my own. I have always been considered a foreigner and have struggled hard for every success of my life. Being a foreigner from Iran is much different than any other country…I worked hard and didn’t let peoples’ opinions of me bother me. I stayed committed to the simple principles of education, family, hard work, tolerance, honor, humility and compassion.
Aside from the restaurant business, what do you enjoy doing?
Time with my family, cooking, gardening and travel.
How does Sangrita Grill give back to its community?
We support programs involving education and nutrition of children in Maui County.
Lahainaluna High School Agriculture Program
Maui Prep Academy scholarship program and related fundraising efforts
Cooking Classes to benefit Grow Some Good
Maui School Garden organic seed purchase for the county of Maui schools
Now Imua Family Services!
Can you tell us the two must have dishes to try on the Sangrita menu?
Avocado Fries- Addictive
The whole Opakapaka Veracruz- very delicious and great presentation.
Chipotle Steam Mussels
Any recommendations for the keiki?
Kids Taco Plate
Quesadillas
Burrito
Join Us Saturday, Nov. 1 for an IFS benefit event at Sangrita Grill! Details below:
