Comunidad is the Heart of Latinx Culture and Hispanic Heritage Month

September 15th kicked off Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month!

Created to honor the bravery and determination of Latinos in the 1960s, Hispanic Heritage week was established in 1968, officially becoming Hispanic Heritage month in 1988– a reminder of the perseverance, drive, and the strong cultural roots of the Latino community and their home countries. 

Over the course of these four weeks, eight Latin American countries celebrate their Independence days: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, Chile, and Belize.  

In the 1960s, America saw major cultural shifts led by the Civil Rights Movement and the Chicano Movement, or “El Movimiento”, with leaders like Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta, pushing for labor rights, desegregation of schools, and political equality.

In a time of political, social, and racial unease in America under the current administration, celebrating Hispanic Heritage month is an act of resistance. Especially because many of the rights that Chavez, Huerta, and other leaders fought for are being threatened. 

Inspired to uplift fellow Latinx entrepreneurs in the spirit of Hispanic Heritage month, Cualli Co. hosted the Aloha Meets Hola Pop Up Market in mid-September, showcasing Latina business owners. Held in Hawaii Kai’s SAVON event space, the Aloha Meets Hola market offered free margaritas, snacks, and Spanish music to curate an energetic, welcoming atmosphere. Each vendor had a personal story behind their brand, with the intimate setting providing opportunities for customers to connect and learn more about each company.  The pop-up featured Brown Pina’s jewelry creations, Earthy Palate’s vegan and gluten free baked goods, Rice Love’s handmade bags, and more (see below for a full list of vendors). 

This pop-up event highlighted the creative companies founded by driven Latinas, support for the community, and uplifting each other on the road to success. A charity raffle took place of donated goods from each vendor, where 100% of the profits went to Roots Reborn Non-Profit, a justice and disaster response organization in Maui helping migrant workers displaced by the recent fires. The Latinx population in Hawai’i is the fastest growing demographic in the state, with many migrant workers coming to the islands in the 1900s for cattle ranching and sugar plantation farm work. The attendance of this event reflected that even thousands of miles from their home countries, the Latinx community is here and ready to uplift one another. 

Comunidad is the heart of Latinx culture and Hispanic Heritage month reminds us that we may go faster alone but further together. 

A huge gracias to the amazing mujeres from Brown Pina, Perlita's Hawai'i, La Isla Cocina, Rice Love, Captain Ruby's Creations, and Earthly Palate Bakery! 

Check them out and Support Small Businesses <3

K. Armintrout