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Kayla Wakayama (she/her)

@tropikaylaa

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• Hawai’i nō ka ‘oi
• Nails: @opalstudioseattle
• Death Care & Grief Worker
• Kānaka ʻŌiwi | Native Hawaiian, Japanese, Filipina
📍Duwamish Territory

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This post is overdue, but check me out in the November/December issue of “Polished Look” for @nailpromagazine — I created a few looks last Fall inspired by London-based designer, Erdem Moralioglu. It was so much fun to come up with nail designs inspired by these wonderfully crafted and romantic pieces @erdem
Even though I created these designs in the Fall, I think some of the florals are also fun for Spring. 💐

A big MAHALO PIHA to @fearnobeauty for giving me the opportunity to be featured in @nailpromagazine’s ‘Polished Look’ and @kellyohstein thinking of me and connecting us 💕

#nailsofinstagram #erdem #seattlenails #nailpromagazine #polishedlook taken in Seattle, Washington by @tropikaylaa

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5 years ago

Two long years have passed since I last cradled one of the gentlest ‘good boys’ to grace this earth. The summer he died, amidst lots of tears, I painted this set in remembrance—a tender homage to my dear Curry. Who was obsessed with watermelon, sought out all the best sunspots, a total Velcro dog and forever my loyal Mama’s boy.
To anyone who shares this ache, know: your sorrow and grief for a deceased pet is valid. It’s real and deeply honored. 🍉 ☀️ 💕

#memorialnails #griefmanicure #seattlenails #seattledeathdoula taken in West Seattle by @tropikaylaa

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2 years ago

It’s Aloha Friday, so here’s another minimalist set on some shorties inspired by another tradition from home, Kapa Kuiki. Below is a little history about the inspiration behind this original nail design. Ho’omaika’i ke lā, everybody! 🤙🏼

— Kapa Kuiki or Hawaiian Quilting history has deep cultural roots. Hawaiian quilts were originally made of Kapa, a fabric pounded from the bark of the Wauke (paperbark) Tree that was then dyed and decorated with geometric block prints and used for Kapa Moe (bedding) or festive clothing.
Around 1820, patchwork quilt making was introduced to Hawaii’s people as a byproduct of colonization. However, Hawaiians thought it less efficient to cut up tiny pieces of fabric only to be sewn back together again. To limit fabric waste they created a folding method where the appliqué is made from a single cut on folded fabric.

*You can swipe ⬅️ to see an example of the stitching and appliqué used with this quilting technique.

Like almost anything Hawaiian, we look to our gardens, elements from nature and our land for inspiration in design. The appliqué in Kapa Kuiki is often a stylized botanical design in bold colors on a white background. Motifs were often created with a special person in mind, and patterns were guarded as a secret family recipe might be. Kapa Kuiki always showcased perfect balance and symmetry. It can take up to a year to complete a quilt the traditional way.
The craft lives on today and every quilt you might see has a story — this tradition is more than just a form of crafting, it is a special part of Hawaiian culture and should always be held sacred.

With big fashion brands like RED Valentino and Sea NY appropriating Kapa Kuiki motifs in their Spring Collection last year, I thought it would beneficial to leave a tiny bit of education on the background of these motifs and this art form. I should also mention that recreating a design like this for profit, especially if you aren’t Hawaiian, is definitely not going to be chill and will also border that appropriation line.

All nails hand-painted with @prestogel and @kokoistusa Gel Polishes by me.

#seattle #alohafriday #seattlenails #handpaintednailart #hawaiidaswhy taken in Seattle, Washington by @tropikaylaa

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5 years ago

Another palette 🎨 inspired by the way synesthesia changes the way I see the word ‘September’

#dohashtagsmatteranymore #seattlenails #september #septembernails #celestial taken in Raccolto by @tropikaylaa

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a month ago

🌸 🔷 ☁️ 🟡 🔻

Sweet little Nailfie by @tanyetest

#seattlenails #hawaiiannailtech #hawaiinailsalon #summernailinspo taken in West Seattle by @tropikaylaa

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2 months ago

A true zero-proof spritz 🍊

#seattlenails #apérolspritz #cocktailnails #zeroproof #summernailart taken in West Seattle by @tropikaylaa

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4 months ago

When your lifelong bestie is getting married, of course you’ve got to get a tiny portrait of her iconic ‘ick’ face for her wedding! 👯‍♀️

Ho’omaika’i to my beautiful cousin, Dr. Wakayama! Had a blast painting this with Kisa to surprise you!
Cheers to a dreamy wedding, this exciting new chapter for you and Andrew, and lifelong friendships keeping things goofy as hell 💍

#seattlenails #weddingnails #bestfriendsgoals #hawaiiweddings #portraitnailart taken in Kamuela by @tropikaylaa

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4 months ago

🍓 🍊 🥭 🍋 🥝 🥑 🫐 🍇

#seattlepride #pridemonth #rainbownails #fruitnails #pridenails taken in West Seattle Farmers Market by @tropikaylaa

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4 months ago

One year without my baby 🧡 #momoboogiemoonbeam by @tropikaylaa

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6 months ago

Weekend v i b e 👁️

#seattlenails #seattlesalon #mondaymotivation #seattleart #mondaynails

Inspo: @nailsbloodynails taken in Raccolto by @tropikaylaa

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7 months ago

💋💃🏻🥀❣️

#rednails #seattlenails #lunarnewyear2026 #seattlesalon #february taken in West Seattle by @tropikaylaa

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8 months ago

💕 #girlythings by @tropikaylaa

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8 months ago