While visiting Waikiki, I scheduled a last minute pedicure over the phone and was able to get in the next day to see Yuko. The building attendant was friendly and helpful when I first arrived. Even though I arrived early, Yuko greeted me warmly and had me look at colors while the previous person paid and she prepped for my pedi. Yuko has a lot of pride in her work, and this shows by how clear and methodical her menu of services are. She started by inspecting my feet and walking me through the menu of services, product type, and add-ons. I was not surprised with the price nor did it feel like I was being "up-sold" anything I didn't need or want. I added callus removal, and Yuko worked magic on my feet! As she was filing away, I could tell she found some satisfaction in the total transformation of my feet. Haha! As we approached the halfway point, Ben shared his menu of massage services that were available while Yuko completed the pedicure. I decided to go for an acupressure massage for my head, neck, and shoulders. I had never experienced this type of massage, and it was truly amazing. Ben helped turn my "maintenance pedicure" into a full recovery experience! Plus, he even had a couple of recommendations while I was visiting. If in the Waikiki area again, I would definitely see Yuko and Ben for a solo pedicure and acupressure massage. The hospitality was top notch. The pricing was clear and transparent. The results are fantastic. Whether in town for pleasure or business, Aqua Nails & Massage is a relaxed and cozy place to get a pedicure. read more

Yuko and Ben are both very friendly and professional! I went in without knowing what I wanted for my nails but they helped me pick out something that fit my needs perfectly. Cuticle care was modified to fit my personal needs (I have very sensitive cuticles). I also tried out Ben's shoulder and head massage which was done at the same tile the pedicure was being done and it was very relaxing! It helped me relieve a lot of tension in my neck and shoulders that I didn't know I had and also helped with my chronic pain. They also had a wide variety of pet toys. I can definitely see myself returning here in the future. read more

As much as the lady was very sweet she just didn't do a good job. I would go there for a message but that's it. I rather just have a simple pricing rather than it all explained to me. The prices are also kind of an out there. 250 for a partial fill and pedicure no polish or anything added. Other than the message but that was wonderful. I ripped my nails off 2 days later because she filled but also didn't just do a full clean up. Also it took 3 hours because there was no staff other than her which she was busy try sell pet stuff. read more

This is a unique, one-woman operation, which provides a comfortable, quiet experience--I loved the comfy chair and the portable foot bath was a fun first! The owner even accommodated a same-day appointment, which I appreciated. However, the experience quickly turned bizarre. I came for a mani-pedi with callus treatment, and despite agreeing with her limits on the removal, the owner spent nearly 25 minutes lecturing, drawing diagrams, and repeatedly suggesting I "go somewhere else." It was an exhausting, unnecessary argument for a point I had already conceded. I decided on a Japanese gel manicure with premade designs. Warning: the prices are wild. My total, including tip, was over $300 for a nearly 3-hour appointment (seriously, $38 for a single pancake nail charm!). For that price, I expected exceptional quality. Unfortunately, the execution was subpar--uneven edges and polish left on my skin. I get better work for a third of the cost elsewhere. Come here for the cozy, one-on-one vibe, but be prepared for a confusing lecture and a massive bill that simply doesn't match the final quality read more

Customer service was outstanding. Yuko was very attentive and careful when doing my pedicure. I purchased the basic , which was very basic, $49. Ben has a deal to get a head /neck massage while you get your manicure. read more

I got the gel pedicure/45 minute massage combo package. Not only was it affordable but both Yuki and Ben were absolutely amazing. I got a great pedicure by Yuki and Ben gave me such an amazing massage. He does almost more like a sports massage! Great experience! Be careful that the people on the different levels don't try to grab you as a client and confuse you. There are three salons in this building. Their salon is on the third floor down the hallway. read more

I had a pedicure with deep calluses treatment done - and it was amazing. Yuko is an expert who knows her craft and is highly efficient at what she does. I am beyond happy with my experience and how my feet turned out. I will definitely be coming back for another treatment and include a massage next time. read more

Nail 5/5: I had my other nail chipped so I went to this nail salon to take off my acrylics. The owner was very sweet and did clear gel for my natural nails. She explained all the procedures in details and made me understood what she was doing. She also gave a lot of good recommendations for restaurants. Since we chatted so much, this took about 2 hours But all in all, reasonable price with keen to details. She will also let you know how much it would cost prior to the procedure so there won't be any surprises. She also lets her customers put pins on the map to show where all of her customers are from. Not to mention, huge cat lady! All the decorations and her nail products are all ‍ I recommend coming here if you want your nails to be read more

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My wife and I are on vacation and realized that our nails were looking like they needed a vacation. So, with all transparency, I have never had anyone touch my fingernails or toenails. My wife recommended that we go in for the full treatment, so we looked up local nails and found Aqua. We were really intrigued by the massage concept, so we walked from our hotel to go check it out. The walk isn't too far from the beach area of Waikiki, which is good because I was worried about the walk adding to the time in the foot bath, if you know what I'm saying. So, we found the commercial center--which on the outside doesn't stand out. It's an older building, with a security guard that requires sign ins and sign outs. Aqua is on the third floor--304. First lesson, call first. Ben, the self-named Massage Guy, nicely explained that the business has two employees--himself and Yuko the nail technician/magician/cat lover. The place also has cat Knick knacks--so if you are shopping for a cat oriented souvenirs and want an awesome nail and massage experience you can check all those boxes at once. So, we had to come back--totally our bad for not making the appointment. And it was worth it! We ended up doing the couple special with a few add ons. We received 25 minutes of massage each, pedicure (matte for me, my wife got a color that matched her blouse), and a manicure. My wife had dinosaur scaling on her feet, like we didn't have to do the Jurassic Park experience because she was living it through her feet. Yuko hooked my wife up. It seriously was like I was witnessing a carpenter working on my wife's callouses--the skin was like sawdust. Yuko was no joke and really customized my wife's pedicure. Meanwhile, Ben was working his magic on my shoulders. Seriously, this guy was breaking up knots left and right---like one of those massages that you can hear the good crackling noise. He swapped over to my wife during her foot wrap and I could hear her cracks from my chair. Yuko took great care of my feet--my nails were all trimmed and cleaned, and my feet and toes felt great! She finished me up, and Ben came back and worked on my feet. Normally, I don't have to get pressure adjusted for my massages--but damn I had to ask to dial the pressure back. Not Ben's fault, but my feet were getting the business. I didn't even realize that they were that tight, but I could feel the fibers separating in arches. Wrapped up with a manicure. Nice and clean--just a healthy finish for me. My wife got hand drawn art with Japanese gel. My wife said it was the best manicure ever, and she's the most honest person I know--so yeah, this review is like two internet stranger opinions in one. Quality does come with a price, but Aqua has a variety of different packages for every budget. We got the works and have no regrets. So, if you jumped on the plane and forgot to have 'your nail did", or need a massage, check out Aqua. Mahalo Yuko and Ben for a great experience! read more

Aqua Nails & Massage - My manicure--still has some shine! - Nail Salons Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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If I was a local, I would be a loyal frequent customer! The three customer service key words I would list are: kind, skilled, and pampering. The pedicure was done beautifully. She was gentle, focused, and overall kind. My gel pedicure looks well done and I'm in love with the color. The 70 minute massage was better than any massage I've had at a spa charging 3x as much! Ben was skilled and applied the perfect pressure. He listened to what areas I needed focus on. I left feeling like he healed me rather than just passed the time (like some other spas have done). For an impromptu massage and pedicure, I am 150% satisfied with the results. read more

Incredible attention to detail, real pride in her work. Communication throughout with questions to ensure I was satisfied with and result. For a French Japanese gel and deluxe pedi it took about 2 hours. read more

Aqua Nails & Massage - French Japanese gel manicure - Nail Salons Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

I was looking for a last minute spot for a pedicure. I tried another spot but they had no availability so I found this place nearby. I was taken in instantly. All staff were really nice. My usual pedicure I get in NYC is typically $30 and sometimes $25. This place charged $35. The lady I had definitely rushed. I feel like she became disappointed when I didn't pick the add ons or a higher price pedicure. I didn't need all that, I just needed a regular polish pedicure. She did a great job with painting my toes but there was minimal clean up. I am giving 4 stars because the staff were extremely sweet and one week later my toes look great! read more

Yelp searched for nails and massage after brunch in Waikiki with my bestie. We wanted a nail spot in the area and luckily they had availability to accommodate our schedule. Yuko (nail technician) is a sweet heart. I appreciated her reviewing in detail your services before starting. She made sure I was comfortable and reminded me to relax -- I was surprised at how my running mom to-do list was able to turn off in there. It was nice to just sit down, relax, and actually enjoy without thinking of all the things. Ben (massage therapist) offered a 15min shoulder massage. I said yes. Right after I said yes, I found myself being woken up, drooling with mouth wide. I did not even know I fell asleep. I said yes again to another 15min. My bestie got a shoulder massage too and we've been talking about it since. Together, Ben and Yuko are a dynamic duo. They really made us feel comfortable and relaxed. It's not a traditional nail salon and I really liked that it was private and cozy. I felt rejuvenated and rested when I left. read more

The most beautiful nails I've ever gotten! The salon is very cozy and you get Yuki's full attention. She spent a lot of time on every detail of my nails. Often when I get my nails done I have to clean up extra gel off my nails at home or fix the shaping, but here I left completely satisfied! Highly recommend! read more

Aqua Nails & Massage - Gel X and manicure - Nail Salons Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

If you're in Honolulu you need to go see Ben. His massage work is unreal -- intuitive, technical, and somehow both grounding and totally transporting. Just take the elevator three floors up to heaven, and that's where you'll find him working miracles. He finds tension you didn't know you had and melts it away with the perfect pressure every time. I've had a lot of massages, and Ben is easily one of the best. Stop thinking about booking and just book -- your body will thank you. read more

Absolutely loved it here! Yuko gave me a truly fantastic gel x manicure. She was incredibly detail oriented and precise-- my nails look amazing. She was also so sweet and polite. Ben gave my boyfriend a massage, and he said it was one of the best he had ever had. read more

Manicure and pedicure in Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii... A couple of Yelpers and I were discussing businesses with their names and joked that we were part owners. For example: Dan's Dive Shop Ward K. pointed out "Nadine Hawaii" and said he'd go with me. I'm glad he didn't because the name of the business changed to Aqua Nails about seven years ago. I had booked my hour and a half appointment the day before by phone. The first lady that I spoke with couldn't explain the parking situation - I think English was her second language. I left my phone number, and Ben called me back to explain where to park. After parking at Ross across the street (2 hours free with any purchase), I made my way up the elevator (on the side street: Lauula Street) to the third floor where the sign read: Aqua Nails. Inside, I asked if this was "Nadine Hawaii". Yuko, the owner, explained the name change. She saw my disappointment, and offered me an out, but I decided to stick with it since she probably wouldn't be able to find another customer to take my place. The pedicure and manicure were very basic. There's no massage chair, lotion, exfoliating scrub, leg/foot massage, pumice stone, hand soak, nail brush, arm/hand massage, etc. This is a "no frills" place. Only cuticle oil was applied to my fingers and toes. Instead of pushing back the cuticles, an electric file was used. The electric file was also to remove the gel polish from my previous Mani/Pedi. My nails are thin, so, I feel like the UV light went right through them and I could feel the heat on my finger tips. I sat in a plush chair for the pedicure. It was like a recliner that didn't recline. My feet were soaked in warm water in a plastic tub - the kind that you can buy at Walmart. Just plug it in, add soap and water, and it bubbles. The foot rest was like a wooden horse - the type that carpenters use - with a cushioned towel on the top. For the manicure, I sat on a cushioned bench with pillows for my back. I rested my wrists on elevated pillows and switched my hands under the portable UV light to dry my nails. (My feet alternated, too, under a larger portable UV light machine.) I appreciate Yuko's technique (and over twenty years of experience) in applying quality gel nail polish. She used two coats of color besides the base coat and top coat - it should last a month! She offered me the new tinted colors, repaired my cracked nail for free by adding extra gel polish, and she added a lighter color to the nail tips for an ombre look. This small business probably caters more to the tourists in Waikiki. There's a menu in Japanese on their website. I heard Ben and Yuko speaking Japanese to another customer, so, Japanese tourists would feel very comfortable here. Also, cat lovers will enjoy the cat decor! Honestly, I think I could get "the works" for half the price. I paid $49 for the manicure, $49 for the pedicure, and $10 for the gel polish removal. My total bill without tax and tip was $108. Yuko is a very nice person. She is experienced, careful, and has good advice. She encouraged me to get a lightly tinted pink gel instead of clear. I'm grateful for her patience and kindness! read more

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The passive aggressiveness towards my daughter & I made my experience very uncomfortable. Ben did not ask me but TOLD me, "Control your daughter. She can't stand up there." Then he continued to try and talk to me like nothing had happened. My service was rushed because of my daughter's behavior, which I apologized for and still tipped well. But kids will be kids. She was startled by his demeanor. I got my bill halfway through my service, which was annoying. For $49 you pay for HALF the services a pedicure should originally come with. No foot massage, no foot scrubs, no callus removal. All of that is an up charge! Also, the shape of all my toes do not match with one another. I'm so disappointed!!! read more

Aqua Nails & Massage - 5 days later... shitty ass polish. - Nail Salons Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

In and out with a mani and pedi. Didn't have to wait long and good service. Have been back here a few times while in the area.

Ben did a WONDERFUL job massage my shoulders!!! I'd come here again just for that! I personally love the vibe here. Very kind and accommodating!! My pedicure was great!! Ins definitely come back to this quaint, cute place. read more

Aqua Nails & Massage - I got to put a flag with my name on the map! That was fun! - Nail Salons Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Nails were great. Professional. Clean. Outstanding massage experience. Ben delivered an exceptional deep tissue session--professional, clean, and attentive. He took the time to understand my specific concerns and focused exactly where I needed relief. I left feeling significantly better. Pricing is fair and well worth it. If you're a fan of deep tissue, I highly recommend booking with Ben! read more

I had a lovely experience at Aqua Nails and Massage. Yuko was so kind, and I felt very comfortable. I also had the neck and shoulders massage from Ben, who was so wonderful. I definitely will come back again! read more

I honestly don't understand how this place has such high Yelp reviews. This was the worst nail experience I've ever had. The service was completely unprofessional, she skipped multiple steps, rushed through everything, and then decided for me how much tip I should leave. They even added a $20 tip! Of course I said NO! I didn't want to give any tip at all. Terrible experience, I'll never come back. read more

I used to live in Hawaii 5 years ago so I had a favorite nail salon I used to go to but it was "out of town." I was here on vacation this time around, but I didn't want to venture too far from Waikiki. I called this salon on a whim hoping they'd have availability since it was a 3 minute walk from my hotel. I was pleasantly surprised by the services offered! I got a mani/pedi and a neck/shoulder massage. Since the salon was small, I was the only one there. I felt truly relaxed without the hustle and bustle from a regular nail salon. Yuko was kind and gentle, and the massage from Ben was phenomenal. They make such a great team! My only regret was not booking a full body massage with Ben before I left the island. I will gladly return when I visit Oahu again :) read more

Ramie and Yuko are both super sweet and easy to work with! They both did an amazing job on my nails and my bridesmaids'. I was lucky enough to get a last minute appointment for my bridesmaid and me. The exterior building looked a little dated, but the salon is very cozy and clean. You could not smell the acetone or typical nail salon smells. Yuko worked with my bridesmaids(everyone adored her), while Ramie worked with me. Ramie was very precious, patient (I kept changing my mind about the 3D appliqué) and fun to chat with. I told her that I wanted something more subtle, and she delivered a lovely glitter ombré! It still looks just as nice as when I got it done. Afterwards, We got to meet chibi(cat that lives in the back of the salon) after getting our nails done! read more

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After a few long walks shopping around wakiki my husband and I decided it was time to get a little pampering done to our feet. We found a cute spot across from Ross inside a shopping center on the third floor. We called first and made an appointment which I recommend that you do. I got a foot massage which was TOP NOTCH and my husband got his 3rd ever pedicure. The woman there (I think the owner) took very good care of us. She went over exactly what to expect and we really left feeling invigorated and relaxed. If you're thinking about checking this place out so not hesitate. read more

Aqua Nails & Massage - Nail Salons Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Decided to try Gel X extensions for the first time while visiting Oahu and after one of the nails on my dip manicure had started lifting. I found Aqua Nails via Yelp and messaged through Yelp asking about an appointment. I spoke with Ben, the masseuse, who was able to slot me in for an appointment the very next morning which I very much appreciated. I had no trouble finding the nail salon and even though the place is small, it is clean and cute with lots of cat decor and items for sale (I think they work with a cat sanctuary?). They were clear about the pricing for each step which I also thought was great, however the prices for removing gel polish ($10) and dip manicure ($20) are a bit steep (I am from San Francisco, CA and my salon at home doesn't charge for removal). I did appreciate the thorough price breakdown from Yuko however. I got a white gel pedicure and gel polish removal from Raimi, and removal of dip manicure, Gel X extensions, and gel nail art from Yuko. The pedicure was $49 for simple cutting, shaping, and cuticle removal but I was not very happy with the way the polish was applied on my left foot or right big toenail; there were bubbles and smudges all around the base and it was sloppily applied. Raimi also hurt my big left toenail when she was using a wooden stick to cleanup the edges, and I did have to ask her a couple times to clean up the smudges and bubbles which were never completely fixed. The Gel X extensions ($85) themselves went on very smoothly with Yuko, and I also appreciate very much how they were able to work with my budget for nail art ($56). Yuko said that the design I originally wanted would be $80 (at $8 per nail, 10 nails) so I asked if we could do a French tip instead. Yuko was very gracious and suggested that she could simplify the design to be around $50 for nail art, so I agreed instead of doing French tip. Unfortunately, I am not very pleased with the way the nail art was executed. I was also given the impression that if I spoke up about any changes I wanted to the design, it was a bother or a hassle to do, and I also felt like Yuko was at times speaking about me in not very flattering ways in Japanese to Ben. All in all, I spent around $255 ($85 for gel x, $56 for nail art, $20 for dip removal, $49 for gel pedicure, $10 for gel polish removal, and tip) and unfortunately was not very pleased with the results for what I spent. Yuko, Raimi, and Ben are gracious and I really appreciate their working with my budget, but could not execute the design I wanted. I suggested going with a simpler French tip in order to stay within my budget, but Yuko suggested to simplify the design instead to bring the price down. I also felt a bit uncomfortable and like there was resentment for asking that the white stripes in the design be smoother or less streaky. The salon itself is very cute, but I'm not sure that I would go back for nail art. I also unfortunately wasn't able to utilize Ben's massage services but he was very polite. Edit: Original review was 3/5, removed another star since the gel on both thumbs ended up chipping within a week and the left thumb extension is already lifting despite me not doing any heavy work with my hands. Bad application with the Gel X extensions. read more

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I had no time to get a pedicure before Hawaii. So enter Aqua Nails. I love the place with their cats! No not real cats, but their cat toys for sale and the decor. It's so cute! Also another detail I liked, the plane stickers on the window with the ANA A380s with special livery. Yuko did my pedicure. She made sure my nails were nice and short and was careful with the shaping. She was very detailed with the polish. I didn't get art though, but I seen their work. Also she made sure all the sand was gone. Massages aren't part of the pedicure, so that's where Ben comes in. Extra charge, but WORTH. EVERY. PENNY/YEN. While I got 35 minutes of a head, shoulders and legs, I would get a full body if I weren't on vacation since I would be drinking. (I don't drink when I have massages. He had to tell me just wait a few hours). I tipped him 50% because it was that good. Price wise, it is definitely really worth it. Pedicures at home are $55 gel with maybe a massage/basically putting lotion on your feet. FYI- they won't soak off your acrylics (it's on their site), so I'll have to soak off in the mainland before my visit when my nails are healthy enough for a gel overlay. Their nail art is great. It's a Japanese nail salon so they will specialize more in gel. They do Gel-X/soft gel extensions for those who need length. read more

Aqua Nails provided me with a great pedicure and foot massage on short notice. I did t realize how close they were in the heart of Waikiki and very easy to access. Will definitely go back again. read more

My wedding is tomorrow and I was desperate in finding a nail place to help with my hands. In comes Yuko and Ben! Someone cancelled and I was able to get in. Yuko and Ben are amazing at customer service. Yuko explained everything to me in detail and talks about the price before she starts which I really appreciated. She explains each step she's doing, she took her time and mixes her own colors!!! A true artist! The place is decorated nicely with cats and items from her store. Ben does massage which I didn't get this visit but he was very helpful and accommodating. Thank you Yuko and Ben for the kindness you showed me today. Whenever I'm in Honolulu again I must visit you! The place is in the third floor, there's a wvurity guard downstairs that checks you in. There is mall parking right across their entrance which is convenient (3$ per half hour). They have a restroom in their suite. read more

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Randomly found this place when I was in need of a pedicure while on vacation. So glad I did. What a gem! I've never had a pedicure in such a place as this. She is so kind and patient. Such a lovely person. Different than your normal salons. Decided to get a mini massage during my pedi and oh my Ben gives the best massages!!!! I need to find time to come back before my vacation is over. This is a must if you're in need of a mani/pedi or massage. read more

Hands down the best back and shoulder massage I've ever had. Clean facilities, professional staff

Great nail salon that is conveniently located in downtown Waikiki with an amazing staff. Desperately needed a pedi and was having no luck with getting an appointment at each place I called. This was 2 blocks from our hotel at the Royal Hawaiian so decided to just walk over and check it out. Score! I was able to get serviced right away. Ramie helped me with my pedi who did a wonderful job. She really took the time to scrub my feet down when that part usually gets mild attention. Pedi came out great and I was ready for dinner. Price is $43 before tax. They have the cutest cat in the shop and the ladies showed me her room, wardrobe and Christmas tree. I even got to feed her a treat - it was too precious! All in all, quality salon with exceptional service along with a kitty companion whom you can interact with. What's not to love? read more

Aqua Nails & Massage - Chibi! - Nail Salons Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Aqua Nails....amazing! This is considered a hidden gem. I had a pedicure and massage and both were excellent. I will definitely return. Very professional. Can't wait to return read more

If your body is hurting and you need a massage, stop right now and reach out to Ben. I have never in my life had a better deep tissue massage. Ben is extraordinary and he has a depth of knowledge and magic hands that will help you to heal. I believe 100% that Ben is the best on the island. read more

Raimi and Ben were very nice and hospitable. I enjoyed talking to them and learning about Oahu. I wasn't happy with my nails sadly. A few weren't fit properly so I had to ask for them to be redone and the work wasn't what I'd call impressive for the price. I wouldn't go back however I'd try the massage they offer. read more

Aqua Nails & Massage - Getting gels - Nail Salons Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Would give it more stars if I could! I was given queen treatment for a manicure, pedicure and a neck massage from Ben during my pedicure. Cozy atmosphere and very clean. Highly recommend! read more

Lovely staff, relaxing environment. My husband and I both got nice pedicures. Don't let the unassuming facade scare you away, Aqua is the real deal. read more

Tiny place on the 3rd floor. Two warm and welcoming people, one does nails and one does massages. I went in for a pedicure and for help with major lower back pain (persisting after I've had two dr appts, where they've told me I'm "fine"), and both Yuko and Ben were very attentive, listened intently and delivered great service. Ben is truly an expert, blending a physical therapy type approach with as much intensive or relaxing massage as you'd like. This place is not your traditional nail salon or massage spa but the people made it very special. Thank you both! read more

I went to Aqua Nails and they were great. Great service, great conversation, great nails. I got a pedicure and manicure and they both turned out fabulous. The staff is fantastic and the salon was quiet with soothing music. I will be back in a month! read more

Aqua Nails & Massage - Beautiful toes!!! - Nail Salons Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii