KAANAPALI – Chef Paris Nabavi of Sangrita Grill + Cantina is active in the community and takes a special interest in educating young people about healthy eating and sustainable agriculture. For the sixth year in a row, a portion of the proceeds of Friday’s Cinco de Mayo celebration will benefit the Lahainaluna High School Agricultural Program.

“Funds raised will take our students to the Hawaii State Future Farmers of America Conference, where students experience leadership training, state-level skills competitions and more,” said Keith Ideoka, the program manager of Lahainaluna Agriculture. “We will also purchase basic agriculture supplies for our students, such as seeds, fertilizer, potting soil, pots and garden tools that are essential to learning.”

Nabavi is the founder of the Nabavi Legacy Fund, which promotes a yearly dine-around program called Maui RSVP (Restaurants Supporting Vital Programs). The collaborative effort recruits restaurants into Maui’s healthy kids and local food movements, benefiting eight nonprofit organizations, including the American Heart Association’s Kids/Teens Cook with Heart, Maui Culinary Academy, Maui Food Innovation Center, Imua Family Services, Grow Some Good, Maui School Garden Network, Book Trust and Maui Academy of Performing Arts.

Chef Nabavi makes it a priority to give back to his community. Four times a year, he and his wife, Donna, open their home to a group of 20-plus guests and cook a traditional Persian menu. In lieu of payment, every guest donates to the Nabavi Legacy Fund. Visit mauirsvp.org or chefnabavi.org for more information.

Award-winning Sangrita Grill + Cantina is a Mexican restaurant and tequila bar in West Maui, located at the Fairway Shops in Kaanapali, 2580 Kekaa Drive. Call 662-6000 or visit SangritaGrill.com.