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keahi

@keahi

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Hawai’i tattoo artist
Chill island guy from @inkmaster S17
@hometowndesign.co
For booking, click link below

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Welp…that happened 😳
So stoked to finally announce that your boy is representing the 808 on this newest season of @inkmaster

Competing against some of the BEST ARTISTS from all over the world was definitely not on my Bingo card for 2025. Let’s see if this island boy has what it takes!

Who’s riding the wave with me? Tune in Wednesday 10/29 on @paramountplus for the premiere 🫣 taken in Honolulu, Hawaii by @keahi

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a year ago

Color iris for Jodi
Not something I do very often but If I’m going to do it, it’ll be for friends like Jodi. Also, sometimes you have to do things just to say you can. Happy to say I can still do a bit of color 👍 taken in Honolulu, Hawaii by @keahi

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18 days ago

Maui snares the sun

Atop the summit of Haleakala, Maui snares the sun in an attempt to slow down its journey across the sky.
Like most myths, this mo`olelo is used as a metaphor to teach us lessons that we keep with us even after the veil of mysticism is lifted.
For example, the first layer of this mo`olelo simply explains how the suns path is slower during the summer months and quicker in the winter. This concept of the suns path changing depending on the season was discovered through kilo long before any “scientific” explanation was available; thus, the legend is born.
On a deeper level, this mo`olelo, like many other of Māui’s legends speak of duty and responsibility. To use one’s gifts and talents to help those in need.
Traditionally in Hawai`i, while Māui was strong, he was never known to have a large imposing physique. Rather, he was cunning young man who used his wits and creativity more than raw power to achieve his goals.
In this instance, he is able to come to a compromise with the win that best benefit all parties involved.

Maui learns the secret of fire

Another famous mo`olelo told to us as kids with a slightly violent undertone 😅
When the fire in the hale kuke dies out, Māui is tasked with finding a solution. He first notices smoke off in the distance but when he investigates, he is met with nothing but extinguished embers. After a few more attempts, he discovers a group of `alae `ula with the ability to create fire. Māui ambushes the birds and “pressures” them until they ultimately give in and teaches Māui how to create fire.
Another example duty, creativity, this mo`olelo depicts our hero having to outsmart an opponent who is also quite clever. This also shows how kilo and mo`olelo go hand in hand, this legend gives an “explaination” as to why the mud hens have red faces. taken in Honolulu, Hawaii by @keahi

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20 days ago

Ornamental Japanese
Not my normal style but it seems to incorporate a little bit of the two different styles that I actually do(JapanesexPolynesian) taken in Honolulu, Hawaii by @keahi

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a month ago

𝐁𝐀𝐄 𝐈𝐑𝐋 • Still married, still doing some cool shit together 18 years later!🫶🏼😘✨
Can’t believe we looked at each other and thought “yah, let’s make this more permanent” Cheers to renewing our lifetime subscription💍

Happy 11th anniversary @keahi
Love you more than coffee👌🏼 by @keahi

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5 months ago

Oni and Tiger
Recently wrapped up this tiger and Oni sleeve that started out as my client’s first tattoo.

What began as just a half sleeve and chest panel quickly turned into a full sleeve. If you’re considering a full sleeve, I always recommend committing to it from the start. Although we made it work in the end, The overall layout will be a lot easier to workout if we start with the full sleeve in mind. taken in Honolulu, Hawaii by @keahi

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5 months ago

Tamatori Hime
A pretty iconic image with tons of symbolism! Beauty, strength, and sacrifice. This tattoo, accompanied by a dragon, or some sort of sea creatures, would make for the perfect back piece. Dynamic and powerful with waves and water adding the perfect flow throughout the piece. Hopefully these slides give you a little insight into the depth and intention that goes into Japanese tattooing.
If this sounds like you, let’s talk! by @keahi

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5 months ago

Bakunawa
The moon eating serpent of Filipino folk-lore. This sea serpent is believed to cause eclipses as well as other natural disasters. Because of this, it is sometimes used to represent the challenges and dark times one must overcome in order to prosper in life.

‼️Ps. How much ointment is too much ointment?
Immediately after your tattoo session, if your artist doesn’t use some sort of second skin, it’s not uncommon for them to later your tattoo in ointment and bandage it up for the road. It’s important to note that This amount of ointment is ONLY acceptable in this situation. For normal aftercare procedure, I recommend using only enough to cover the tattoo while still allowing it to breathe. If your tattoo looks this glossy, you should probably wipe off the excess. taken in Honolulu, Hawaii by @keahi

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5 months ago

Ramen bowl and Hannya mask
Lots of fun with this little one shot tattoo. I don’t always get the chance to do these little tattoos so when I do, it’s a nice change of pace. by @keahi

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5 months ago

Shattered katana
Can’t take too much credit for the concept of this one. Did my take on a pretty popular design that the client brought me. Went a little crazy with the background to give a pretty simple design a bit more action. I also had to tie this in to some previous tattoos I did for him. taken in Honolulu, Hawaii by @keahi

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6 months ago

Ka pueo kani kaua
In progress pueo that I’m really excited about. Idk if I’ve mentioned this yet but I REALLY want to do more of this style of Japanese mo’olelo #hapa tattoos taken in Honolulu, Hawaii by @keahi

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6 months ago

Art imitates life
`amakihi and `apapane dancing in the canopy of the `ohi`a forest.
Recently had the pleasure of putting this tattoo together for an awesome client. Nā manu, any manu will always hold a special place in my heart. Birds make such great tattoo designs and the fact that I can depict any of our native species is that much better!

🎥 @hawaiiwildlifephoto @scatteredoptics taken in Honolulu, Hawaii by @keahi

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6 months ago