SALT LAKE CITY – This month, we’re spotlighting stories of culture, connection, and community. We begin with a look at Pacific Islander-owned businesses making an impact here in Utah.

One local restaurant, Pacific Seas, uses flavors of the islands to bring people together.

Maryann Tukuafu, who assists in the operations of Pacific Seas Restaurant , shared the family’s story.

Tukuafu’s parents, David and Neti Lavulo, opened Pacific Seas in 1991, right off Redwood Road in the Glendale neighborhood.

“David and Leti are from Nukualofa, Tonga,” Tukuafu said. “David went to BYU. He was an accounting major.”

Instead of working for a company, David decided to start his own and brought in the whole family to help.

“We’ve been working ever since we were young in elementary,” Jane Talivakaola,

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