"I'm wearing short sleeves, I don't want to expose my tattoos."…read more-Jerry Seinfeld Well now I DO wanna wear short sleeves to let my new honu peek out a bit! Been wanting to get a honu ink'd to remind me of where I came from... where home really is. Everytime I go back, I run out of time or just didn't want to give up the beach day. This time the whole fam was IN... when I explained my design concept, both my wife and daughter wanted their own version, still honu themed. da Scene: Determined to get this done done during the 16 day visit back home on Oahu, I did my research early and narrowed it down to 3 spots initially. After some dm's, email exchanges and finally some voice calls, it was Lai @ Tattoo Hawaii who I connected with most, so we scheduled an in-person consult and then our sessions, with 2 days left on our trip - only lost 1 beach day (it was a perfect one too). da Service: Every contact before our session was courteous and replied to promptly. I did have to be insistent on Lai doing our work, even if it meant spanning multiple days. His work on social media and Yelp! most connected with me. At our consult he explained how he would approach my design concept and adapt it to my wife and daughter. Lai was confident he could get us all done in one afternoon/evening session. The shop is tucked away on the 2nd floor of a little building on the corner of Kapiolani and Piikoi... parking is a challenge, so arrive early to wait out a spot. The shop is comfortable and can accommodate 3-4 artists working, with friends looking on in support. da Work: Kai was up 1st as hers would be the least complicated. She went with 3 petroglyph style honu, each about 3.5" diameter, ink'd fairly heavy - vertically on her upper arm, pretty classic design. She has several tattoos already and was surprised that Lai didn't work with a stencil... he simply free-handed the design with several pens, directly on your body. He's a very cool, confident cat, laid back and within minutes has you chatting it up like you went to high school together. I went next as my wife wanted to see how mine's worked out to help solidify her concept. Lai drew a honu/dragon/shark tooth design on my upper arm and I said "go for it". 2.5 hours later I was stunned at the fine details he added to the shark's teeth encircling the honu shell, as well as tribal accents in the honu, while incorporating the dragon profile. It really was satisfying to see my concept executed closely, while adding style and depth, bringing it to life. Carla was last up and really wanted to stick close to what I had done... just smaller and wanted the dragon to "pop" more. As you can see, Lai nailed it... however subtle, the dragon does appear more prominent on her piece. da Wrap: Really happy all-around, already thinking about how to add to it, maybe add color, grow it further down my arm, how to add to the story. It's a very personal thing and I really suggest you take your time to research and find the right artist. I'm confident that you'll find the right one at Tattoo Hawaii. We were there most of the day and saw several folks and artists' work, there was actually one guy there the whole time getting a large whole body piece worked on with a manual tattoo tool, that's an investment! HUGE shout out to Lai for making our sessions so enjoyable and comfortable... When he found out it was my and my wife's 1st work, he said he was honored to be 1st... such a humble guy, great disposition. We'll see you soon brother!

This guy sucks, over charges. Shitty quality tattoo. Had to get my tattoo redone by another artist…read morebecause the quality didn't come out well. The vibe that the tattoo artist gives off is a very gay vibe. I believe his name was Lai. I wouldn't want him in my friend group.

Levi James Purdy is my tattoo artist and he works out of this shop. Very professional and the shop…read moreitself is super cute and in the heart of Chinatown. Cash only-- but they have an atm machine inside if you forget. Surcharge is $5. Follow my artist on ig to see his amazing work: levijamespurdy He's the best!

The tattoo shop and most of the artist here is great. There is just one problem. KALLEY. She will…read moretake a $100+ deposit from you, schedule you an appt and not show up, then re-schedule you another appt and then cancel it and once you have had enough of that you ask for your deposit back and she denies you. Avoid this woman at all cost.

I was a walk in and was accommodated right away. I was able to pick my font size and the…read morereceptionist was very helpful. KuJo took no time drawing up the name I wanted behind my ear. He was quick and proficient. I'm very happy with my tattoo.

Five stars, and I mean it, even with a slightly unusual healing journey thrown in…read more My rook piercing fell out after ten years, which sent me scrambling, and I ended up here on the recommendation that they really know their stuff. That reputation is completely earned. The piercers are genuinely knowledgeable and handled the whole situation with a lot of care and responsibility. Getting the piercing back in took a bit of work, which was no fault of theirs at all given the circumstances, but I will say my ear throbbed on and off for a solid two months afterward. A decade old piercing apparently has thoughts and feelings about being reinserted, who knew. Despite that odd post piercing experience, I would come back without hesitation. When you find people who actually understand what they are doing and approach it with real professionalism, that matters a lot. This is that kind of place.

As you should know already .. I love ink. A lot…read more I have two of my favorite artists that I go to because they both have different styles, Michelle at Hawaiian Tattoo Company and Jay at Diamond Head Tattoo. Now some of you are thinking ... didn't she do a review for him already? Pffftt ... no. That was for the shop he USED TO work at. He now owns Diamond Head Tattoos in Kapahulu on Campbell Ave. Kinda hidden, but really not a bad location. Lots of parking everywhere! Plus Zippys is right down the road if you got the munchies after you get inked :D I have known Jay ... foreveeerrrrr. His work has improved greatly through the years. And his digital art is amazing, he also does pinstriping if anyone wants anything done. So you know he has patience, doing all those lines would make me cross-eyed! Now for the past couple of years, he has been doing my tattoos. I've come to him for a few complicated ones that have definitely challenged him. There's an artist that I just love, his name is Christopher Lovell (Look him up!) His work is just ... beautiful. And if I had room on my body, I'd have Jay tattoo every single one of his art pieces on me! BUT, Lovells work is very detailed and intricate. It's what makes him unique. It also takes many many many many sessions to complete -_- He has a very light hand and the healing time for me has been very short. He is one of the best that I have come across. His black and grey work is outstanding and his attention to detail makes the pain worth it ;) I love all of my tattoos, but my very favorite that was done .. was my grandmas aumakua when she passed away. Let me tell you, that piece came out so beautiful! And the colors are still vibrant! I love it! I would recommend seeing Jay to get work done. He's the best at what he does. He puts his heart and soul into every tattoo he creates. Seriously. Visit the shop, they do walk ins if an artist is available. Check out his work as well as the other guys at the shop on the IG page: @diamondheadtattoos Also, if anyone is going to the Jingle to Mingle toy drive this Thursday at DnB, he is giving away a $100 gift certificate as one of the raffles! Boom .. get itttt!! 17/100 Challenge 2018

My wife and I were visiting for a few days and wanted to get a tattoo to remember our vacation. We…read morechecked out a few shops on Waikiki and we not impressed. Then we showed up here to diamond head tattoo. The vibe is amazing, the 2 owners/artists made us feel at home, very friendly guys and very talented artists. We could not have picked a better spot to get tattooed, from the atmoshpere, to the quality of work, this place cannot be beat. We will be coming back here every time we are here visiting. Thank you guys for being totally badass!!

I wish I could rate this business a zero. I never actually write reviews but I depend on them a lot…read morewhen I'm trying to decide between multiple businesses so I hope you find this review helpful. I am super unhappy with my experience working with scheduling my appointment with Raquel, who is the manager of the business. I had two tattoos scheduled with the artist Leo. I had booked my appointment 3 months in advance, I explained how I would be moving off island so I wanted to book ahead of time. Two weeks prior to my appointment Raquel texted me and said she had to move my appointment and she requested a specific date and time she needed to move me to. No biggy, I was able to move my work schedule to accommodate her requested date but asked her if she could do a little later time that day she requested. She said she needed to ask Leo if the time would work for him on that day. A few days passed and I had a date scheduled but no time so I reach to her and she responding back trying to change the date again! I explained to her I had already moved my work schedule around the date she had already requested me to move my appointment to and we had already agreed on a new date but we just needed to clarify on the time. Finally she said she understood and scheduled me for the new date and time. The night before my appointment I realized she hadn't sent me the address so I reached out to her and asked for it and I also confirmed I would be seeing her tomorrow for my appointment. She responded by sending my the address. The next day/date of my appointment, just 4 hours prior to my tattoo time, she texted me telling me she needed to reschedule my appointment.... requesting to move me to the ORIGINAL date I was scheduled for! After already moving my work schedule and accommodating to move my appointment multiple times, I told her how I couldn't move it a 4th time so she canceled my appointment with no further discussion. I've been following Leo's Instagram account and his art work for months now so I was looking forward to it but Raquel raised way too many red flags. Also, super unprofessional she posted an Instagram story going out to get drinks at the time of my appointment. I can't make this up. Anyway, I would suggest Leo should find a more reliable person rather then his significant other to schedule his clients because she is not doing a very good job as being a manager for their business. I don't doubt I would had been happy with my tattoo results from Leo but save yourself time and find a more reliable business!

Celebrated my 29th in Hawaii and knew that I wanted to get a tattoo, I looked them up on Instagram…read moreand saw that their work was absolutely stunning. I booked a appointment (which was quick and easy) and was easily quoted with the information they needed. The shop itself is super clean and smells amazing! Raquel and Leo were very sweet and accommodating; my sister and I loved our experience, and I hope to get my next tattoo done by Leo again in the future (his work is amazing!)

I had a family trip and I have always wanted to do my belly piercing. I walked in at Aloha tattoo…read moreand Reid was amazing! Definitely will come back again and maybe next time will get my tat done.

Just did my navel piercing at Aloha Tattoo by the Hilton Hotel. Reid was great! He answered all my…read morequestions and made me feel super comfortable and took his time and gave me all the info i needed to know beforehand!

Marko is super cool! And his shop is dope too! He got lots of cool things in jars and lots of…read morestuff look at while you're getting inked. LOCATION: Right across the Humane Society near cakeworks. In that little block SERVICE: Marko is super chill.. cool. Super nice. ATMOSPHERE: His shop is clean and comfortable PARKING: So... there's small spots right next to his shop. I highly recommend carpooling if you and your girlfriends are gonna get matching tattoos. Appointments are highly recommended. I can't post a pic of my tattoo because only Marko, my girlfriend that was there while I get inked and my secret lover saw my tattoo. :) I totally love it tho!

Marko & staff were very friendly, clean area and so much beautiful artwork throughout the shop. You…read morecan tell Marko, the owner of the shop, is passionate about his work! I will definitely be returning, and referring friends and family

I got my 5th tattoo by Shanti at Suite Dreamz tattoo shop in Waikīkī. He did a Manta Ray and…read moretouched up an old tattoo.I have been going there for approximately 7 years off and on when I visit Oahu . He did amazing work at a very affordable price. Better than most shops here in So Cal. Thanks again and see you soon. Phil

Second tattoo here and Neil is a bad ass. Shop is clean, a little hidden but definitely worth…read morefinding. He sketched out the idea and was open to any input I had but I had full trust in him. He does great work and definitely was affordable for being in Waikīkī and cheaper than a lot of Vegas places where I live. I recommend and will Definitely be back