The Refuge is the physical manifestation of 808 Urban, a non-profit arts collective founded by John…read more"Prime" Hina in 2006 with its mission to "keep at-risk youth off the streets and to revitalize Hawai'i's communities through large-scale mural art." (Source: http://www.oiwi.tv/community/communitynews/behind-the-wall-help-808urban-to-continue-its-work-with-hawaiis-youth/). Urban art aficionados may recognize Prime's acclaimed graffiti work found on a number of large wall murals around Honolulu.
While walking through the Honolulu Night Market last month all by my lonesome, I had the opportunity to browse and familiarize myself with a number of businesses, food vendors, and places like this that caught my eye (or ear, or mouth, or appetite). I saw some local kids working on a piece of art outside of the store, decided to walk in, and wala'au'd (talked) with one of the girls behind the counter. The store has been open since mid-2012 and provides a physical space for the teens in 808 Urban to sell their art (t-shirts, prints, postcards, greeting cards, etc.). It's a chill retail setting and, while I didn't buy anything, I'm definitely going back again just to see what's new.
Going home, I browsed through their website and learned that the space serves multiple purposes: as a location to hold educational workshops/events and as a a "collaborative workspace for the community" (Source: http://808urban.org/programs/the-refuge/). They have "junior boards" at schools such as Farrington High, Waipahu High, Wai'anae High, Kamehameha Schools, and more.
As a former at-risk youth and person who's engaged in multiple forms of art - drawing, small-scale metal sculpture, welding, jewelry-making, and woodwork - this store tugged at my creative, bleeding heart. Prime appears to have filled in a niche that was underserved for too long of a time.
Just a few months ago, they collaborated with artists from Pow Wow 2013 for a graffiti workshop. These kids have some mad talent and are putting their skills to use in way that helps to beautify the community and utilizes their creativity.
If you're around at the next Honolulu Night Market, go check 'em out!
REVIEW #230