 This is Think Tech Hawaii. Community matters here. Aloha y bienvenido to Hispanic Hawai'i and Richard Concepcion. The Hispanic Heritage Month is from September 15th to October 15th, in recognition of the different contributions that the Spanish Americans have given to the United States. Today's guest is Nancy Ortiz. She is the executive producer of the Alma Latina show and she is the owner and she's here to help us to see what is happening with the Hispanic Heritage Festival that is coming up on October 15th. Nancy Ortiz, welcome to the show. Oh, thank you and thank you for having me on your wonderful Hispanic Hawai'i show. Nice to be here. Thank you. No, it's always a pleasure to have you here. So let's start it, but tell me a little bit about yourself, the things that you do for the community, and what inspired you to become the leader in the community and develop the Hispanic Heritage Festival, which I know this year is the 27-year anniversary. Come on, talk about myself. I'm a local born Puerto Rican. Of course, I was born and raised here on Oahu, but I have roots in Puerto Rico, my grandparents. Migrated from there here. So, yes, local born Puerto Rican, but I'm still Puerto Rican. And as far as being a leader in a community, I guess I just took on that title being that I enjoy doing what I'm doing. As you know, I have a radio show. I have my own Alma Latina productions and I produce a lot of different Latin events around town and then how I got involved with the Hispanic Heritage Festival 27 years ago. It was through the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce when we did have it, and hopefully we can revive that again one day. But that's how I started. I started just doing the entertainment portion, and now for up 10 years, I've been doing the whole festival itself. But it's been enjoyable, and I certainly hope that the people out there continue to support it, because that's really important. Well, that is the key for the community. You put all together and we all come and support it and become part of the festival. You mentioned about your radio show, but you also is the executive producer and owner of the Miss Latina Hawaii Organization. Yes, I am. So you do a lot. Yes, I'm the co-director of the Miss Latina Hawaii Organization, which is a preliminary to the Miss Hawaii Miss America Organization. So tell me a little bit about the radio show. What's the program it's all about? Well, the program is designed to play the best in Musica Latina, and we try to cover all the different countries, but many times it's hard. As you know, you are the co-host of the Alma Latina show, and it's difficult to find all types of Latin music, but we try our best to do it. We play a little bit of classica. We play updated salsa, bachata merengue, you name it, we try. And then, of course, we have a segment that is called Hispanic Scoops, which I'm really proud of, because we try to focus on what is happening around town, the nightlife, and other special events happening in the Hispanic community, all here on Oahu and sometimes in neighbor islands as well. Not only that, sometimes you bring information that has happened with all the different promoters, and you help others. And that's what I like so much about the Alma Latina radio show that is not only about you sell, but it's for the community and everybody able to use it as long as they come in and give you the information. I'm glad you say that, because you're absolutely right. The Alma Latina show is very unique, as that a lot of the promoters out there that are promoting all types of Latin events, they get free advertising of the Alma Latina show. And so I really like doing that, and I never want to change that, but I want to make sure that the promoters out there know, and the different venues know as well, so that when we ask for support that they're there for us as well. And the Alma Latina show airs every Tuesday from 9 in the morning until 11 and 11 a.m. And again, we invite all of you to please listen to us. Richard is with me and he does a good job. Thank you so much. So let's talk about the Miss Latina Hawaii. So the competition is coming as soon as we are looking for the new Miss Latina Hawaii to represent the Latin community. That's right. And we also hope that we can give out a Miss Paradise Latina and a Miss Aloha Latina. We've added two more crowns if we get enough girls. And the Miss Latina Hawaii organization started six years ago. And as I said previously, it is a prelim to the Miss Hawaii, Miss America. And in 2017, well 2016, 2017, yeah, our Miss Hawaii, our Miss, yeah, our Miss Aloha Latina. Alison Chu became Miss Hawaii and she went on to Miss America. And we're really proud about that. She didn't win Miss America, but it still was a wonderful thing to see that our Latinas are growing up higher and higher. And the only reason why we did this organization as well is because this gives our Latina young woman to be able to enhance their education through scholarship. And we've given away quite a bit of scholarships. And so ladies out there, young ladies out there that are between the ages of 18 to 25, they've now increased the age, 18 to 25. And we'd like to represent the Hispanic community. Please get a hold of us, give us a call or get on our website or our Facebook page. And we'll give you all the details. There's so much and you're, you're sure it's only half an hour. I don't want to do it. Okay. But it's good to know, you know, that we have Miss Latina Hawaii that can come in and represent the Latin community. And they have you back and they have the Latin community back. And there's a lot of opportunities for them as well, scholarships. So you're so busy, you do so much. So let's go into the Hispanic Heritage Festival. Let's talk about that. Oh my God, it's exciting this year. It's going to be really, really exciting. We've just got so much. And also we want to let the audience know that Hispanic Heritage Festival, the theme for this year is shaping the bright future of America. Now that is awesome. That's wonderful. With all the things that are happening, this is an awesome theme. And we're going to have, of course, many food vendors there, a lot of Mexican food vendors, Puerto Rican vendors, lots of delicious foods, like we said, we'll have some crafters there. We have children's activities. We have Waipao High School that's involved with us to share that we're doing all of the games and things for our children. We have a community health tent. We just have so much. But we've got entertainment, Richard, that you would not. It's unbelievable. We've got groups like Los Caballanos, Eddie Ortiz and the Son Caribe Band, Aguaduce, Salsa Band, and of course, all the way from Sacramento, we have Don Gato Latin Band. And they play a little bit of Cuban influence, a little bit of classic salsa, just a little bit of everything. They do everything, even Cumbia. Yeah. And they even do some top 40 tunes. Top 40. And then, all the way from Arizona, from Phoenix, Arizona, we've got Valley Folklorico de Santa Maria. And there's like 20 dancers, and they're awesome. Just to perform for the festival. And this group, right here that you're seeing on the screen, and they fundraise. They fundraise for like two or three months just to come to Hawaii. They paid their own trip, hotel accommodations, everything. So that is, we really got to show them the Elojah Spirit. Yes, we had to. And then of course, this year, we're adding the Hawaii Latino Film Festival. Yes. So we don't want to forget about that. And we've got some awesome, awesome things that are going to be shown. I believe that we're showing three different films. And one is going to be seen from Theta. The other one is Submarino. And the other one is Deeper Than Skin. They all produce locally here. And what we love about the Hawaii Latino Film Festival is giving them the power, the opportunity to the future filmmakers and storytellers here in the local community. So there's going to be a lot that you're going to be able to see at this festival. And like I said, we got so much. But then, of course, we love to celebrate, right? And what we always do. So on Friday the 13th, we got a pre-party. You don't want to miss that, people. You don't want to miss that. A pre-party is going to be sensational. And it's going to be at Crossroads, Hawaiian Brines. And it starts at 8 until 8 p.m. to 2 o'clock in the morning. 2 o'clock in the morning. Oh, wow. And it's going to be featuring, again, Agua Ducey, Salsa Band. They're going to open up. Don Gato will be there, of course, playing. He's a main band. We're also going to have DJs. That has changed. But we are going to have a DJ. We're going to have DJs. And again, this happens at Crossroads at Hawaiian Brines, 1680 Kapilani Boulevard. There's advanced tickets that you can get. Advance is $20.25 at the door. But, and the monies will go back to these two groups that have fundraise to come here to our festival. So this is our way of giving back. And besides talking about giving back also at the festival, as you know, there was a devastating hurricane that it's just so hard to talk about in our homeland, of course, Puerto Rico. And so we will have a booth there taking donations, monetary donations that you can designate to a nonprofit that you wish and other things that are going to be done, too. And, you know, check out my Facebook and we'll let you know all about it. So you can bring any things, any items that you want to bring? Well, right now I don't, yeah, the gal that is chairing this, her name is Nancy as well. Yeah, from the Puerto Rican Heritage Society, she is going to be collecting things. But, you know, we got to be careful about that because then we got to figure out how we're going to get it to our people in Puerto Rico. Yeah. So right now, I think what they're doing is monetary donations, checks, whatever, and making it out to the nonprofit. There's a listing of non-profit. We're not only doing it for our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico, but we're also doing it for our brothers and sisters in Mexico. In Mexico. So it'll be a dual thing. So, you know, the festival is absolutely free. And that's how I was going to ask you. It's free and open to the public. It's absolutely free, open to the public. You know, please be there. Our main sponsor this year is Sinaloa Tortillas along with Jarritos and Serge's Mexican restaurant. And we really thank them because without them, we would not be able to have this festival. And of course, all of the vendors and whatnot. This is great. This is a lot of things that was going on. Yes, a lot of things. And the community. Let me ask you, you had the Army, the Tuna Fe Infantry Division Army Band. Thank you for reminding me. Yes. Oh my God, we're so excited. Yes. Because in all the 27-year history, we've never had this. We've never had the—well, we've had, you know, the military participate in the color guard portion. But look, look at this bed. I'm just so excited. That's great. So we're going to have them come and join us. And they'll be entertaining as well. And in a couple of days, check out our website and you will get the program schedule as to what's going on. All right. Let's talk about just a little bit. All the different foot boots that is going to be available there so people can come in and support the community by buying food and stuff like that. Correct. Okay. Well, for the Mexican portion, we've got Mercado de la Raza and Mexican restaurant that was just opened up right with Alfredo. They're going to be there. We also have Surges, Mexican kitchen. We also have Guadalajara tacos. And we also have Fiesta Mexico from Evo Beach. And he was actually one of our first vendors when we did it 27 years ago. So he's returned. And I'm glad he's back. Yeah. And he's going to do it again. And then we're also going to have Jenny's Wepa Flavors with her delicious Puerto Rican foods. And we're also going to have another boot that's only going to be selling in Panadillas. And that's going to be for a very worthy cause, Richard. And just real quickly, I'm going to touch on that, but I think you know that my grandson, who's on the mainland, he's 30 years old, is going to be having a kidney transplant. And very dear to my heart, of course, to our family. So we decided as a family that we were just going to sell in Panadillas. We'll cook it right there on site, or you can purchase it frozen. And all of the funds, of course, goes to his fairly kidney fund as well. Wow, there's a lot of food there. So Nancy, let's take a quick break and we'll be returning and continue talking story of what's going to happen to the October 15th for the Hispanic Heritage Festival. This is Stink Tech, Hawaii, raising public awareness. This crazy thing going on today. I was just walking by and all these DJs and producers are set up all around the city. I just walked by and I said, what's happening, guys? They told me they were making music. All right, welcome back to the Hispanic Hawaii. I'm here with Nancy Ortiz. We're talking about the Hispanic Heritage Festival that's coming out on October 15th. All right, welcome back. Thank you. I'm just so excited about this whole thing. Oh my goodness, there's so much to talk about. One thing I want to ask you, where is the location that's going to be? That's a good idea to let you know. Okay, this is going to be at McCoy Pavilion and that's at the Alamona Beach Park. It's right across the street from the Alamona Shopping Center. Alamona Shopping Center, perfect. And there's lots of street parking, or you can park your car at the shopping center and walk across the street, or yeah, if you really want to go to someplace, you'll go. You got it. Yeah, you'll go. Let me ask you, do you know how many Latinos are here in Hawaii? I think the last census, there was 121,000 Latinos, which actually encompasses also the military. So it's not just Latinos that live here and go back and forth. So about 121,000. Before we went into, Brett, you would talk about the 28th Infantry Division Army. Yes, no, I'm so excited. So can you mention all the group that's coming in? That's coming, yeah. We have, of course, Wali Rita and Los Cauyanos from Kawa'i. And of course, they're a favorite of the local Puerto Ricans here. They play what we call kachikachi music. So can you tell me a little bit about the story, how the kachikachi music comes to be what it is? Well, this is what was told to me by my grandparents that how the name kachikachi came to our Puerto Rican band was that, I guess, in the plantation days and the different plantations, our local Puerto Ricans would get out there and play their music and would use laguido, the gore, the guido. And so it was always in a different camp, like the Asian camps, with the Japanese and the Chinese or whatever. And when they would hear the guido, you know, with the scratcher, they would say, oh, kachikachi music. And that's what was told to me. That's how we got the word. That's the name. That's it. And of course, what it is, is our own Puerto Rican música típica, our own typical traditional music. All right. Let's talk about Aguaduce and San Caribe band. Okay. Well, Aguaduce, of course, is a new band that's come out. They're with nine pieces. And of course, Carlos Betancourt is from Puerto Rico. And he's retired from the military as well. And he wanted to do his own thing on trying to get live Puerto Rican music going. And so that's what he did. He's used a lot of different band members from different places. And he's come a long way. And he continues to play and really want to thank him for that. And of course, Eddie Ortiz and San Caribe band, well, we've been together for a long time. And in fact, they also was one of the first bands that played at the Hispanic Festival. They also played for the Miss Latina Hawaii Padgett. They've also played for many, many groups that I brought in, opening up for, you know, Tito Puente, Germano La Vera, Luisito Rosario, just so many. And then, of course, they're celebrating their anniversary as well. I believe it's their, was it their 13th? Yeah, I'm sorry. It was not, yeah, but they are celebrating the anniversary. And of course, they play every Wednesday at Rumors Nightclub. What about the new group, Viva Cubana? Okay, Viva Cubana, I don't know too much about, you know, Tom and his group, but I know that you've had the opportunity of seeing him play and whatnot. So maybe you can elaborate a little bit. Yeah, had the opportunity to do an interview and watch him perform right at the studio is the Biver Farnay. Something very difficult to play, bring some wonderful Cuban, yeah, it's just, it's just playing. And then the sound that has come is beautiful mix with, you know, with the drums and it's Afro-Cuban mix beat. It's really good music. I'm excited to hear that. Mine is going to be great. In fact, they're going to be starting off. Oh, they're the first one. Yes, they're the first group. So they're going to be starting off. Let's talk about the dancers we have, Linda Melodia Dance Company. Oh, my cushion. This group I can't talk enough about because Emily and Stefan Kahn are just awesome people. Every festival that we've had, since they've been here, they have been with us. They also are one of the premier groups for the Miss Latina Hawaii Padgett that they're every year. They even choreographed a couple of years ago. So they're all over and you don't want to miss them. People, they are really, really sensational. And this year, she is bringing three different groups. So you'll be able to see all the different. Because they created school, right? Yes. So now they're teaching. Yes. Yes. Yes. Wow. So look up, Linda Melodia, if you want to learn how to salsa. Oh, yeah. Let's talk about Teri Suki. Teri Suki was right here in the stadium. Teri Suki, she is, she is, I call her the energy bunny because she's so energetic. She's always, and she had an opportunity of going to the salsa congress and show her talents there. And she's always there whenever we have things going on. She always says, hey Nancy, I'm there, you know. And she's quite a young lady. And Honolulu Suki, what is that Suki all about? Suki is, you know, I'd like to say it's, and if I'm wrong, I'm sorry, but I'd like to call it, it's a combination. It's a, it's a sexual dance really. Okay. But it's, it's a combination of a bachata and a salva bolero. But in a, in a more, how do you call it, like a serene, relaxed kind of, you know, there you go. There you go. So we're going to be having that with Kimberly and the rest of the group. And they're, they're great. So you're also going to have Carolina, Carolina and Zumba. That's right. Everybody's going to be dancing Zumba. She is, she is so full of energy. She did something at our Cinco de Mayo, a festival that we had, and shit, everybody blocks just, just dancing, just exercising actually, but you know, in a form of a dance. Yes, yes. And she's, she's awesome. She's going to be there as well doing that. So we're only going to have some Hula Studios coming in, I think. Yes. K-K-Ulu Hula Studio. And every year, the Como Blaine Dutro does our opening ceremonies. And so he'll be chanting as we do in Hawaii, even though it's a Hispanic festival, we keep that tradition. To the tradition group. Right. So he'll be doing the blessing and, and chanting for the day to open up. And then his Hula will be doing a couple of numbers as well. And his studio just came from L.A. Company, you know, Las Vegas? They were in Las Vegas. Yes. And actually, he took his Connie Division, which is his men, and they took first place in everything. Do we have anything for the children, so they can play? Yes. Wipaho High School will be manning the booth for the children this year. And what they're going to be doing is make and take things. So they have things that the children will be able to make and take. And unfortunately, at McCoy Pavilion, we're not able to have bouncers and things of that. So that's what we're going to be doing. And hopefully they join in the summa as well. And they're also going to have face painting and just a lot of little just games and things just for the kids not to get bored. But the place is so big that they'll have, they'll be able to run around. Run around, burn their energy. Yeah, you got it. Let's go back to the Miss Latina, Hawaii, because Isabella Garcia is going to be there. That's right. She is, unfortunately, our Miss Paradise Latina, Noi, who plays a piano, she'll be at Carnegie Hall. And so we're so proud of her during that time of the festival. So Miss Latina, Hawaii, which is Bella Garcia, will be there. But this young lady has a voice that you would not believe she sings mariachi style. So she's going to be building some tunes there. It's going to be nice for everyone. So don't miss that. And we're also going to introduce the contestants that we have right now for the Miss Latina, Hawaii pageant. And what is the qualification in order for them to participate in the Miss Latina, Hawaii? Okay, well, let's see. I don't have it here in front of me, but let me see if I can remember. Yeah. Okay. But they have to be 18 to 25. They obviously have to be single, good moral character. They have to have a little bit of or some type of Hispanic, right. And this year, we have included the Portuguese, Portuguese and Brazil to be a part of this too. So if you are from Portugal or from Brazil, we want to include you in this as well. So they can do that. They have to either be graduating from high school or they have to be working wanting to continue their education because this is a scholarship program. And let's see what else. What are the other qualifications? They have to be a six-month resident of Hawaii. Yes, at least six months resident of Hawaii. Correct. What is a different stage? I know you had an interview on stage. We have the talent. So they have to have some type of talent. And a lot of the girls kind of say, well, we don't want to enter. We don't have talent. People, talent can be anything. Anything. I mean, we have people just doing a storytelling or, you know, some people do, you know, they're an athlete. So they try to do some, you know, fitness or what. Yeah. Because you remember now, you remember, one of the Miss America's won by just doing the Cups, remember? Wow. I'm going to go to the U.S. Yeah. And so, yeah. And so you never know. You never know. But that is one of the things, you know, several of the things that we do. But again, their category as far as scoring is your interview, your lifetime of fitness, which is a swim where they're talent. And they're not gone. They're evening out. Yes. Yes. They're evening out as well. Those are some of the qualifications. And again, people, if you're out there listening and you would like to be a part or you would like to represent the Miss Latina Hawaii Padgett, please get a hold of us or give us a call at 285-0072. And we'll put you in touch. And going back to the Hispanic heritage. You like that, don't you? Yes. Let's talk about the Latin dance workshop. It's going to be a workshop to teach people how to dance. Yeah. I think Teri Suki is going to be involved with that and some of the other dancers. And, you know, they're going to do freelancing, basic steps in salsa, basic steps in bachata. Yes. Wow. And anyone can participate. And it's free. And also Latin connection is going to be there doing interviews. Oh, yes. He's going to be doing all kinds of interviews over there. So that should really, really be good. You're going to be busy, right? Yes. Yes. And again, I really want to stress our sponsor, Sinilua Tortillas and Hadito Drinks. They're going to be actually giving away some tortillas. And we're going to have the hula halal going to their booth and sell the Haditos, the drinks. The drinks, yes. And those are delicious, all the different Spanish drinks. So you don't want to miss that. And they've got a lot of other surprises. There's going to be t-shirts giving away as well. And like I said, there's so much stuff. You just need to come, people. Don't forget the Hispanic Heritage Festival, the 27th annual come McCoy Pavilion. It's in the Alamona Beach Park. It's on October the 15th. It's on a Sunday this year. I know everybody's so used to it having it on a Saturday, but it's on a Sunday. And it is from 11 o'clock in the morning until 8 o'clock at night. Wow. And it's free. It is open to the public. Come and have breakfast, dinner, lunch, dinner there, because it's going to be a lot of food vendors. So you want to be there. I'm ready. You're ready? Yes. Okay. Well, let's go. I want to say thank you so much for coming. Before I say that real quick, I just want to remind everybody about the pre-party. Please don't forget the pre-party. The pre-party is Friday the 13th. And we want you there too. We want you there as well. Okay. All right. We want to say thank you so much for coming and telling us everything that we need to know about the Hispanic Heritage Festival. Oh, thank you for having me. This has been fun. Thank you so much. All right. It's time for us to say goodbye. And don't forget the Hispanic Heritage Festival on October 15th. McCoy Pavilion on the Alamona Beach Park. It started at 11 a.m. and ran all the way to 8 p.m. Hopefully we see you there. It's open and free to the public. Aloha y gracias.