About me and HIGUA

HIGUA: A Fusion of Identity, Art, and the Ocean

HIGUA is more than a brand; it is a reflection of who I am. The name itself is a bridge between the two worlds that shaped me: HI (Hawai'i) and GUA (Guatemala).

Guatemala is my birthplace, my childhood home, and the anchor for my family. Hawai’i is where I came into my own, moving here at eighteen to study Marine Science at UH Hilo. It’s where my professional passion took root, and where I found the love of my life.

These two places hold an exceptionally special place in my heart, weaving together the fabric of my identity. Through HIGUA, I seek to honor and combine both cultures with a cause I hold most vital: marine conservation. It is my mission to blend the unique perspectives and strengths of both Hawai'i and Guatemala into a unified effort to protect the oceans we all depend on.

While science became my profession, art has always been my heartbeat. I chose not to pursue art as a career because I knew it would always be a part of me, no matter what. HIGUA was born at the intersection of these two passions. It is my way of merging the analytical world of conservation with the expressive world of creation.

In a world of fast fashion and mindless consumption, HIGUA stands for something different. Every piece I create tells a story and carries a purpose. I want you to feel that you aren't just buying an object, but joining a movement. Both Guatemalan and Hawaiian cultures are rooted in the spirit of familia—of inclusion and belonging. I believe that science, like art, should not be exclusive. It belongs to everyone. Through HIGUA, I invite you into this family, where we protect what we love through the beauty of what we create.

So I welcome you to my journey and my familia.

Con amor,

Melissa B.