Hispanic Heritage Festival in Chinatown

Hawaii’s Hispanic Community celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with the 29th Annual Hispanic Heritage Festival & Health Fair on October 5. This street festival featured live entertainment, food booths, crafts, art and cultural displays, Latin dance workshops, fashion show, children’s activities and information from different community and health agencies.

Opening ceremonies were provided by Emcee Lady V from IHeart Radio; Color Guard was provided by Pacific Regional Medical Command (Sgt Houck, Sgt. Rodriguez, Sgt. Harrison, Sgt Lee, SPC Lee) under the direction of CSM Maldonado & CSM Neufville; Mahealani Sims-Tulba:National Anthem, Hawaii Pono E, God Bless America; Spanish Blessing: Pastor Josue Arroyo (Tabernaculo De Adoracion, Hawaii); Hawaiian Blessing: Kumu Ikaika Dutro; Hula Kahiko: Kekaiulu Hula Studio, Hawaii, Kumu Ikaika Dutro; Traditional Boricua Congo/Percussions with Bomba Dance; Welcome/Introductions: Nancy Ortiz, Festival Coordinator and Councilman Ikaika Anderson or Marsha Joyner; Appearance by Miss Latina Hawaii 2019 Noe Balalda, Miss Aloha Latina 2019 – Tani De La Torre (Singing “Adios Amor”), and appearance by the Miss Latina Hawaii Class of 2020; Ramba Kings Guitarists – Father/Son Duo (Music of the Gypsy Kings), Linda Melodia Dancers, Ballet Folklorico Mexicano de Carlos Moreno, Agua Dulce Salsa Band, Waipahu High School Spanish Club Ethnic Fashion Show, Ballet Folklorico Mexicano De San Miguel, Honolulu Zouk, Groupo Folklorio de Panama/Hawaii; Ballet Folklorico Mexicano de Carlos Moreno, Samba Reggae Hawaii, and Eddie Ortiz & Son Caribe Band .

In the Arts At Marks/Performance Area, there was a cultural display; Cooking with Tupperware Demo / Traci Fernandez; Mexican Dance Workshop by Ballet Folklorico Mexicano de Carlos Moreno; Basic Bachata/Salsa Workshop with Samir Teves; Down on Nuuanu Street there were Six Latin DJ’s ( DaLion of Judah, Fee, Nando, Ever, Rico, CocoMan) spinning the best in Bachata, Salsa, Merengue, Reggaton and more! LowRiders Pride Car Display and Gorilla’s Bike Display; Keiki Corner in the Hawaii Theater “Pantheon Contemporary Area” (Old Indigo’s), and Zumba Workshop with Carolina.