Meet Your Business: Chef Blaise Aki opens Pacific Rim & Bento in Mesa

Although Chef Blaise Aki recently opened a brick-and-mortar Pacific Rim & Bento in Mesa, he has had a Pacific Rim and Sushi food truck for three years prior.

The restaurant at 1720 W. Southern Ave. offers authentic Hawaiian cuisine with an atmosphere that is filled with the Aloha spirit, he said.

Name: Blaise Aki

Occupation: Chef

Hometown: Kapaa, Hawaii (Kauai)

Family: Kanani and I have five children — three boys and two girls — and with them we have 15 grandchildren.

When did you first decide to open Pacific Rim & Bento and why? I wanted to open pacific rim and bento about four years ago, but we started with a food truck Pacific Rim and Sushi for the past three years then had an opportunity to open a brick-and-mortar so Bento was born.

What does Pacific Rim & Bento offer? Authentic Hawaiian cuisine. Atmosphere that is filled with the Aloha spirit. Everyone is Ohana here.

Where is Pacific Rim & Bento? What are your hours? What is your website? Our address is 1720 W. Southern Ave., Mesa AZ 85202 C-3. We are open 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday and closed on Mondays.

Website: pacificrimandsushi.com

What is something many people don’t know about you? I was a U.S. Marine before becoming a chef. I am half Hawaiian/Hapa.

What’s one thing you want people to know about you? I am a hard worker, but I will always make time for people.

How are you involved in the local community? I have always volunteered in coaching sports and helping local fundraisers get to their goals.

What is your most quirky talent? I am a very good sushi chef and I am very strong. Someday I would like to do a strongman competition.