On October 15, five distinctive low-riding cars were parked near Andrews Amphitheatre and Legacy Path on the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa campus as part of 2026 UH Homecoming and Hispanic Heritage Month festivities. Also drawing a crowd was West Valley College Dean John Ulloa, a premier lowrider scholar. He gave an informational talk on lowriding, which represents a significant intersection of Latinx visual art, community history and mechanical engineering.
It was all a part of “Hawaiʻi Side Stories: Lowriders, Culture and Community,” an event organized and sponsored by the College of Social Sciences and two Registered Independent Organizations (RIOs) – Latinos Unidos and the Black Student Association. Other sponsors were SEED, the Department of Ethnic Studies, Native Hawaiian Student Services, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Cualli Co.
This was the first UH Mānoa event to bring lowriders onto campus.
“As one of the smallest groups in the student body but one of the fastest growing ethnic populations in Hawaiʻi, it is important that we get to know one another to celebrate our cultures,” said Kiara Chavez, president of Latinos Unidos and a Communications major.
Ariel “D.J. Joules” Hall, Black Student Association president, KTUH DJ and Ethnic Studies/Political Science double major, kept the celebration moving with musical selections bridging Oldies, Soul, Electro and Hip Hop.
Local car club members showcased their custom builds and shared insights on lowriding and community building in Hawaiʻi: Charley of Lowriders Pride Car Club with a 1987 Chevrolet Monte Carlo LS; Cordula of Outsiderʻs Car Club with a 1965 Chevrolet Impala named “Next Episode”; Desmond of Goodtimes Car Club with a 1994 Cadillac Fleetwood; Fabian of Goodtimes with a 1962 Chevrolet Impala named “Family Jules”; and Jeff of Old Image with a 1984 Chevrolet Monte Carlo.
After viewing the cars on display, attendees selected the two Chevrolet Impalas as “Best in Show” based on craft, body, engine, undercarriage and interior suspension.
“A goal of the event was to create welcoming spaces open to all students, partnering with organizations on- and off-campus, and even collaborating with folks from California, to celebrate all aspects of our island communities,” said Ruben Campos from the CSS Office of Civic and Community Engagement.
Visit the CSS ACCESS Lounge at Dean Hall 6 to learn more about upcoming campus events, internships and scholarship opportunities.
