Grace from p 30 business where they can work, be trained up, learn a skill but also have people that cared about them deeply,” Ryan says. “The goal is one day they could become a manager here or open up their own Hãnai.” Over the years, the Senters’ fondness for Hawaiian culture has influenced the direc- tion of their family and business ventures. The couple founded Ohana, a non-profit social services agency that works with foster youth and adults with special needs, in 2015. Hãnai is a continuation of the community they’ve built thus far. As parents of six children (four adopted and two biological), the Senters are aware of the struggles foster youth face and have learned mentorship techniques for supporting them. Through Ohana’s Work and Job Readiness Program, Hãnai hires foster youth ages 15 to 19 years old and teaches them the confidence and social skills required to be successful employees. Hãnai also provides a safe environment to learn independence and leadership skills. “There are incidents where kids would be typically fired from a job but our management is trauma trained and very grace-based when it comes to knowing situations individually which has been very helpful,” Sara says. Hãnai’s management staff are trained weekly on things like trauma and leader- ship — including how to allow young people to experience normalcy and failure in a healthy, empathetic setting. The Senters hope their coffee shop will benefit both its employees and customers. As Laveen residents, they felt that the area needed a welcoming environment and space to connect and hold gatherings, whether that be baby showers, paint nights, or church events. Hãnai uses both the shop and a reservable conference room Hanai’s Southwest Breakfast Crepe. Nikki Michelle Charnstrom for hosting events, including meetings and birthday parties. “For the community specifically, it’s a reminder of how we all deserve a nice place to go to,” Sara says, “So we’re afford- able but we’re pretty — and we deserve to be here. You don’t have to be in downtown or Scottsdale to have a pretty space.” Bright, airy, and inviting, Hãnai’s atmo- sphere is simplistic yet modern with a bohemian twist that wouldn’t be complete without deep blues to remind you of the ocean. The clean, coastal decor and open concept design is complemented by the Caribbean-influenced menu with a hint of Spanish flair, which is equally unique and colorful. Try the Toast Trio or the crowd-favorite Aloha Punch. Serving coffee, craft cocktails, beer, wine, and food, Hãnai is a one-stop shop for brunch and midday pick-me-ups. One of their most popular food items is the Southwest Breakfast Crepe, a savory morning crepe filled with chorizo, scram- bled eggs, cheddar cheese, crispy potatoes, and fresh avocado then drizzled with a creamy chipotle ranch sauce. Blending family-friendly options and kid’s menus with mimosa buckets and date-night-worthy bruschetta boards, Hãnai’s offerings were created with the experience in mind. Hãnai is all about bringing the “Aloha Spirit” to the Laveen community by extending warmth and hospitality, the Senters say. To them, Hãnai is “a place where you feel a sense of community — where you feel at home.” Hãnai Coffee + Beer + Wine 3648 West Southern Avenue, #148 hanaiaz.com Hours: Sundays 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturdays 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. 33 phoenixnewtimes.com | CONTENTS | FEEDBACK | OPINION | NEWS | FEATURE | NIGHT+DAY | CULTURE | FILM | CAFE | MUSIC | PHOENIX NEW TIMES AUG 18TH–AUG 24TH, 2022
