SALT LAKE CITY — A Utah bakery with Hawaiian roots, already known for giving back to its local community, has reached back across the waves.
It all started with buttered rolls, homemade, in a garage in La'ie, North Shore, Hawaii.
Originally made by "Auntie Jo," those rolls inspired Jose Martinez, owner of Budda's Hawaiian Bakery and Grill, to open his bakery in Utah to capture some of the nostalgic memories and share the delicious flavor.
The restaurant, located along Pleasant Grove's State Street, has had a long-standing policy of giving back to its community.
Jason Astwood, Budda's chief financial officer, said the company's policy of "Mālama Our 'Ohana," or "Taking care of our family," has led customers to be generous with their orders.
"They usually donate a meal to somebody in need," Astwood said.
The spirit of generosity also inspired the bakery to consider its roots in Hawaii after a devastating flood ravaged the islands.
"A couple days ago, they were underwater," said Senga Nuga, founder and executive director of the Aloha in Utah Foundation. "In some places, they were all the way up to the light switch. It was bad. It was bad."
Martinez and Astwood reached out to Nuga, offering to help give back to the place that inspired their success.
"We're taking 10% of the proceeds, and we're donating it to the foundation," Astwood said.
Nuga said the funds will be used to directly help people living in Hawaii to recover from the floods, but it may take a long time to fully recover.
"Any efforts that are done now is great, but there will still be so much work to do moving forward in the next year," Nuga said.
The fundraiser to help Hawaii recover from the floods begins Saturday and will run for 30 days.
