I would recommend this place to anyone! I don't remember my artist name but he did an amazing sketch based off my two reference pictures. It also didn't take him long at all to do. Between touching up my existing rib tattoo and getting a new one it was less than an hour. His work is amazing and there were no flaws. It also only cost me $100 due to it being the shop minimum otherwise it's $180 an hour. Communication with the owners wife was also super quick and easy. Responds fast even when the shop is closed. The shop itself was clean and spacious. read more

Packing Ink Tattoos - rib tattoo touch up - Tattoo Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

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In April, Kahanu was my artist. I sent a few photos of what I wanted, but he was not really prepared. He was an hour late and I was already 30 minutes late because I got lost. My skin has lost some elasticity and required a gentle touch, I believe Kahanu is not experienced in tattooing older skin. The area is that he went over are the areas that bled into my skin. The most disappointing part was, he didn't even bother to call and apologize. I got the apology from the owner of Packing Ink Tattoos - Hawai'i. read more

Packing Ink Tattoos - Tattoo Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Kahanu is an amazing artist and made the whole experience easy and enjoyable. My wife and I both got tattoos from him, and he made us feel completely welcomed from the moment we walked in. He gave great advice without ever trying to push his own ideas -- he really listened to what we wanted and helped bring it to life perfectly. The conversations, atmosphere, and overall professionalism made the sessions fly by, and the results are incredible. We couldn't be happier and would highly, highly, highly recommend Kahanu to anyone looking for quality work and a great experience! read more

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Wow, can't say enough about our experience at Packing Ink Tattoos in Kailua Kona, Hi. From the moment we reached out to the staff, until we finished our tattoos...we were treated with typical Hawaiian hospitality! We inquired about availability via the website, the owner's wife then referred us to the person best for our needs/wants and our tattoo artist booked us based on reservation availability. This is an almost must! The shop has a constant flow of customers...walk-ins can happen, but I watched two turn-aways while we were there due to availability. Our artist was Kahanu and he was amazing.... did most, if not all free hand work! If you want speedy tattoos, go to someone else, but if you want quality, clean, safe and dedication to tattooing...then request Kahanu! Don't let his youthful presence put you off, you'll be amazed at his work! We'll definitely be back for more ink from Kahanu! Payment, I saw two artists take cash only...Zelle, Venmo, etc...No credit cards. Verify the payment method when booking. Prices are very reasonable. read more

Packing Ink Tattoos - Tattoo Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

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There were two of us who came in together for some pretty basic tattoos. All in all, my experience was great. They definitely put safety first and the artist did a great job on my tattoo. He was very careful, making sure it was exactly the way I wanted it before he got started. My friend had a different experience, but part of that had to do with the design she chose, I guess. Ultimately, she decided not to go through with it because the artist could not provide what she was looking for. Granted, she is someone who had something very specific in mind. However, I felt like the artist was not able to adequately explain exactly why he couldn't do what she was asking for. My concern wasn't so much that the design wasn't possible as it was the lack of a complete explanation. I kind of felt like I was the go-between for the two of them. That said, I would not hesitate to go back for another tattoo there. It's a great shop, they were great to schedule with, and I really love my beautiful tattoo! read more

My husband and I came to the Big Island for our first anniversary and decided we wanted tattoos. I came across this place on Yelp and saw it had so many 5 star ratings so we decided to make appointments here. I can see why everyone rates this place so high. First of all, they were so fast to respond to my request for an appointment and it was so easy to make an appointment during our vacation. My artist was Kahanu and he did an amazing job. It was a time consuming piece but I could tell he cared about every detail because he really took the time to make sure the tattoo turned out so nicely. He was kind and cool to talk to while he did his work. I am very happy with how this turned out. If I ever come back to visit the Big Island, I would definitely come back here for future tattoos. read more

Packing Ink Tattoos - Before shading - Tattoo Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

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So I decided to get a tattoo while I was on vacation visiting my family. Last minute thing so I was glad I could find a place to do it for me that recommended an artist that I liked for what I was getting done. Jen did my tattoo and it came out so pretty. She did just what I wanted. She was super friendly and very professional. Thanks Jen! I definitely recommend her. The shop was clean and had great vibes. I definitely recommend this place. It was easy for us to get to and the owner was very responsive! read more

Packing Ink Tattoos - Got a plumeria - Tattoo Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

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I had my first tattoo with Kainoa about 4 years ago and last week he added on to it. Not only was the experience at Packing Ink terrific as usual, the tattoo itself is AMAZING! Kainoa is such a talented artist. And his skill level is off the charts, the tattoos heal so quickly and without issue. I have gotten so many compliments on my tattoo. Thank you Kainoa!! read more

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We contacted through Yelp and got a reply right away. We got an appointment the next day. Luke did our tattoos, he understood what we wanted and gave us great suggestions. We were very happy with the results! Highly recommend!! read more

Packing Ink Tattoos - Added a turtle to an existing plumeria tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

I wanted to get a tattoo last minute and did some research, came across this shop after multiple lovely reviews. They responded so quickly, was able to take me the next day and accommodating the time I wanted. Kaizen did my two small tattoos and it was a great experience. He was kind and I loved his work! I 100% recommend, they have a location in Kona and Hilo! read more

Quick to respond. We were able to do walk in after texting with the artist. My husband got a simple three word tattoo , Moon lake the artist worked well with us to make sure it was exactly the way we want and also helped made some modifications for best results. Tattoo was done in less than 30min , super quick and turned out great. If you need to wait for someone getting tattoo there is a great poke place and bakery just down and across the street. read more

My husband and i, along with our friends Jen and Andy visited Packing Ink Tattoo on Thursday for tats during our anniversary trip to the big island. My sitting was with Kainoa (shop owner), the guys both worked with Kahanu, and Jen did Jens tat. The entire team listened to exactly what each of us wanted and completed our designs (marks was drawn on him by hand). The whole process (from remote scheduling, design, tat completion) was seamless. For my husband and friend Jen this was their first tats and could not have asked for a better experience for them. Team so friendly, shop laid back but extremely clean/hygienic. Highly recommend and will revisit if/when back in Kona read more

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Garry is an amazing artist. He listened to all my requests and implemented them perfectly. This was my first tattoo and a memorial to my little brother who passed away. read more

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Made my reservation with Kainoa before my trip to Hawaii through his wife. She has top notch customer service skills and is able to communicate effectively. She was able to set up my appointment easily with ease and give my idea to Kainoa. Kainoa has such a light hand, for the first two hours of my session i forgot i was even getting tattooed and even began dozing off!!! I was that comfortable. He is extremely friendly and made me feel welcomed. His work is exceptional, if you're looking to get tattooed here on the big island book with Kainoa! His wife and him are the best !!! read more

Packing Ink Tattoos - Tattoo Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

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I have been thinking about getting my first tattoo for ages but I was stuck in finding a good artist that was available on a reasonable timeframe in SF. I also did not want to stress about the design and instead trust the tattoo artist to come up with it. I always liked tribals because of their cultural origins so as I was visiting the big island with my girlfriend, I decided the best souvenir would be to carve a little bit of that culture on my skin. After Yelping a bit I found a bunch of tattoo shops that could do the job but packing ink caught my eye because of the tattoos being free hand draw, no stencils, and some of the photos showed incredibly crisp patterns. Still, I was a little bit on the edge. So while eating out we started asking locals for recommendations and just by chance we ended up at a nearby place that highly recommended packing ink (Umekes, some of the best food in Kona). There was no more reason to idle, we walked there and asked if they accepted walk-ins, set up an appointment for 2 days later and left. They were super accommodating with the timing and the limited flexibility we had between doing water activities and flying out only a couple days later; the tattoo artist also stayed well after closing time to finish the piece, without rushing the job. Well a picture is worth a thousand words but let me tell you the only guidance I gave was a couple of images of tattoos with a wave pattern the day I set the appointment (because I am a surfer, waves are especially cool to me). It is mind blowing to me what emerged from that simple initial sketch. The contrast, the patterns, shading, clean lines, no ink bleeding. And I must repeat, all free handed. The artist even designed the tattoo so that it could be extended in the future. This is, simply put, a master piece. Mahalo Note: if you open the location of the place from Yelp app it will send you to the wrong location to another tattoo shop in downtown Kona (lost coast tattoos); that is not correct, the location is close to the mentioned restaurant above (and kona brewery among other things) as correctly displayed by Apple Maps or Google maps. read more

Packing Ink Tattoos - Final result after the tattoo artist magic. Note that all the designs between the main black lines were free handed. Truly impressive - Tattoo Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

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Kainoa is a tremendous artist! I've sat for him twice now and couldn't be more happy with the result. Beautiful and unique artistry from a humble man. Lindsey is his wife and manager at the shop and she is so professional and sweet. Always looking out for the client. The shop (Packing Ink) is clean, easy to find and is home to some great artists. I am so glad I found Kainoa, Lindsey and Packing Ink tattoos! The best on the island in my opinion. If you need some awesome work done, this is the place! read more

Packing Ink Tattoos - Polynesian upper thigh wrap - Tattoo Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Great job from Kahanu! So easy and almost painless. Thanks for using the painless needles haha. Me and my fiancé got a matching tattoo and they are awesome!! We couldn't be happier. Thanks again! read more

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Well I could not stay away!! Told Jen what I wanted & she created this beautiful seahorses kissing. They form a heart! Love it & Thank You Jen!! I'll be back to get more!! read more

Packing Ink Tattoos - Turtle - Tattoo Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

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Jen did an amazing job with my small palm tree. I love it. Highly recommend her! Very friendly and nice. read more

Packing Ink Tattoos - Tattoo Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

I decided to get my first tattoo to commemorate a two month sojourn in Kona, the single greatest trip of my life. I was a little nervous walking in and had just a vague idea of the tattoo I wanted. I met the artist, Kahanu, and he instantly eased my mind with his unbridled confidence. I asked him to put his own spin on my design and I was blown away by the art he delivered. I am overjoyed at the result. I would recommend Kahanu to anyone and everyone, especially those getting their first art. Oh, and much less painful than I expected. Thank you Kahanu! read more

Packing Ink Tattoos - Thank you, Kahanu! - Tattoo Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Just had a tattoo done by Jen. She did an amazing job! It turned out better than I had envisioned it would. Great clean shop and a good vibe. Highly recommend if you're looking for a tattoo. read more

This past week I text Kahanu regarding a small tattoo. He text back right away and he was always very nice which was comforting because many tattoo artists can come across arrogant. Anyway I set up an appointment with him on my last day on the island. He guided me through the process and made me feel comfortable. While tattooing me he kept making sure I was feeling okay. He had a gentle hand and I am happy with the tattoo! Great line work and he listened to what I wanted. Thanks Kahanu!!! read more

Packing Ink Tattoos - Tattoo by Kahanu - Tattoo Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Kainoa did a fantastic job on my son's arm. He free-styled a Polynesian arm band and it came out better than expected, if I'm being honest. Love the work. read more

Packing Ink Tattoos - Tattoo Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

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I had the pleasure of meeting Justin while in Hawaii to do a full color sea turtle. I originally asked for it on my foot and he gave me his professional advice as to why he thought that was a bad idea. We moved the location to my ankle instead. Not only was the final product amazing but Justin had great energy. For me, positive energy transfer is a huge part of getting a tattoo. We had great conversation, he told me about hawaiian legends, and it was a great experience. Mahalo Justin!! read more

Packing Ink Tattoos - Before and after - Tattoo Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

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I recently got a tattoo from Kainoa and it is beautiful. He readily answered my questions and the entire process was hygienic. I recommend Packing Ink Tattoos. read more

Packing Ink Tattoos - Tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Best way to end our vacation in Kona. Check off to my bucket list of getting a tattoo in Hawaii. Sean delivered outstanding tattoos for my husband and I. He was definitely upfront too, especially when it came to a cover up I wanted. Instead of wanting to take all my money, he was honest and said I was better off getting it done back home since it would require an extra session or two. That honesty sold us. We'll definitely be back next time we visit Kona! read more

We recently got our first tattoos here, during our trip. Our artist Jen was the genius behind these pieces. We are so happy with the results! Jen is such a dope artist! Especially for our first time she made sure we were comfortable and did a great job discussing about the aftercare. Definitely recommend and encourage for anyone to book with Jen! read more

Packing Ink Tattoos - Hibiscus flower - Tattoo Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

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My siblings and I brought our mom for her first-ever Hawaii visit for a week. We've been hoping to get a tattoo together for a few years now. I reached out to make the appointment well in advance, was so simple and had great communication from even the initial inquiry. We had an amazing connection to manta rays and sea turtles while we were here and were hoping to incorporate that into our design so when decided on an idea a couple days into our trip we sent the picture via the text chain. When we arrived on Friday morning, Kainoa had a sketch ready for us. Then he freehanded the details within the sketch and we couldn't be more excited about the results! Kainoa was absolutely the right person to help us with this really special experience, it made the ending to our trip even better than we expected! I wish I lived here to get more work done by him, guess I'll be coming back for a visit again soon!! Mahalo Kainoa we appreciate you! read more

Packing Ink Tattoos - Tattoo Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Sean did a fantastic job on my back plumeria! He was ridiculously patient with me tweaking the design until it was perfect. I get lots of compliments! read more

Packing Ink Tattoos - Tattoo Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Kahanu did a cover up tattoo for me. I found them on Yelp and went in with out scheduling it. They were able to fit me in the next day. It's a great shop, clean and professional. Kahanu took my design and and tweeked it with his spin. He did a great job. I will be back next time in Kona. Thanks read more

Today I got my first ever tattoo with Jen. I wanted to get a tattoo to memorialize my cat who passed away about 2 years ago. I sent Jen pictures of my cat as well as inspiration of what I wanted. She gave me so many beautiful options to choose from and was very helpful with placement and size. I ultimately decided on a simple line work tattoo. Jen had a vey light hand and it was a quick and simple process. She made me feel comfortable and was easy to talk to! I felt welcomed and relaxed throughout the entire process. Thank you so much Jen for the amazing tattoo! read more

Packing Ink Tattoos - Tattoo Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

My husband and I spent a week in Hawaii and knew we wanted to both get ray tattoos. Sean was able to get us in and design my husband's tattoo within the week. When we got there, we were very confident everything had been cleaned thoroughly. The tables and chairs were wrapped in plastic and changed between ever customer. Sean never touched anything other than his tattoo gun once his gloves were on and everyone was masked and sanitizing the equipment. Sean was very friendly and easy to work with. He did an amazing job on both of our tattoos and charged us an extremely reasonable amount for all of the work he put in. We are both so happy with our tattoos and already planning on seeing him again next time we are on the Big Island read more

Packing Ink Tattoos - Tattoo by Sean! - Tattoo Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

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What a great artist!! Jenn was unbelievably helpful in helping me come up with the Hawaiian tribal Manta! She took so much time coming up with the perfect tattoo! I can't say enough about her.. she even helped design a quick tattoo for my wife! If you are going to spend anytime on the Big Island, she's the artist for you! See you next year, Jenn! Mahalo!!! read more

Packing Ink Tattoos - Jenn Artwork! - Tattoo Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

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Kainoa thank you brother for the amazing tatto. It's everything I wanted and its perfect, I love it! You are an incredible artist and even better person. Such a soft touch it was like a massage with kitten paws. Thank you so much!! read more

Packing Ink Tattoos - Amazing tattoo by Kainoa. - Tattoo Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

What amazing place to get a tattoo while in Kona!!!! Lindsey and Kainoa run an upscale establishment. Kainoa's talent in listening to his clients wants/desires and bringing those to life is AMAZING!! Would highly recommend them to anyone!!! read more

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Was visiting the island with family and they were able to get us last minute for a tattoo. The intern there did a great job and was helpful with communicating when we were trying to find the location. Google maps does take you to a different location 5 mins away but other than that it was a great experience! read more

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I have ALWAYS wanted a tattoo from the time I was a little girl. HOWEVER, I am also a TOTALLY high strung and anxious person, so not only did I worry about the pain of the tattoo itself, I worried about everything and anything in between from the DESIGN to the ARTIST to the SHOP... I thought I would NEVER find the right "time or place" to do my first tattoo. I had a few friends who I had seen their tattoos done by Kainoa, so out of the blue I reached out to them to talk about my first tattoo. From the VERY first contact, I felt at ease and safe and HEARD by Kainoa and Lindsey. They went out of their way to ease my fears and worked with me on the design. Of course, it still took over a year for me to get that first one. And I was in LOVE... Kainoa has a very gentle air around him that put me at ease and made me feel like this is no big thing, nothing to be afraid of. I did a simple design for my first one, but he didn't "judge" it, he made it feel like it was the most amazing design and he couldn't wait to work on it. I liked that. I also love that the shop is clean and Kainoa is very careful to keep things clean and safe. I recently went in for my second piece, a much bigger and more detailed half back piece and the two hours I sat for the first session went by in the blink of an eye. He worked with piecing together a few different ideas I had into one piece and I am SOOOOOO excited! Not only am I looking to finish my back piece, I have ideas for at least two more that I am going to have Kainoa do. I joke with Lindsey that I need to find a second job to pay for my new tattoo addiction. Give them a call and just talk story, they are AMAZING people living life and I am glad that they are in mine! read more

Packing Ink Tattoos - Tattoo done by Kainoa - Tattoo Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Kainoa did a great job on my shoulder work. He connected 2 other pieces I have and prepared it to continue my sleeve. Awesome work and a great guy. read more

Packing Ink Tattoos - Tattoo Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

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Chill artists, great talent, cozy atmosphere, quality conversations. I ask for a freestyle tribal tattoo and boy did I get one! I'm in love with this thing and it fits my body and style so much I couldn't be happier. The price is very typical but on the cheaper side of professional art. Your defiantly getting quality walking in here!! Ps my mom loves her tattoo as well! Thanks again! read more

What a fantastic experience. Sean was wonderful. Loved my design and the quality of work. Totally looking forward to getting another when I return read more

Packing Ink Tattoos - My Ohana (Family) - Tattoo Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii