Need Help with Hawaiian Islands Tattoo!

Been planning this for sometime now and finally I have decided on getting the Hawaiian Islands on my leg. Wanted to get a tattoo with meaning so being Hawaiian I figure this is a good idea. I need to decide if I want it on the right or left leg. Since the Islands start with the Big Island on the right when looking at a map, should I do the right leg,( Big Island towards the ankle, with the other islands going up the legl.) or Left leg with the Big Island towards the bottom of my knee, upper calf, going down to my ankle? I've seen the islands tattoo before, on the back and stomach, but all were different in some way. ....Any other Ideas would be great...Thanks..

Aloha! my husband just got that exact tattoo that you're looking for, done on his right calf! He has it where the big island of Hawaii is towards the bottom, and the smaller islands point upwards. He also had his birthdate put underneath. I think it looks good, and he loves it. For his next tattoo, I know that he's looking to get the "Hawaiian Island Creations" logo tattooed onto his back--he LOVES the look of that logo, and is himself a hawaiian island creation, so it's very appropriate. You could either do the same as him, and have your birthdate put under your tat, or put "made in hawaii"...these are just 2 suggestions for you. Take care. Aloha

Hi: If you want an authentic Hawai'ian kakau, you might want to change your idea about getting a map put on. Traditional Hawai'ian designs are pretty strictly geometrical, and if you do it right, you are GIVEN your uhi (i.e., you don't get to choose, except to walk away) based on who you are. The symbols and patterns all superficially mean one thing, but there are several layers of deeper and hidden meaning (called kaona) that you want to make sure fit. If you don't, you'll be sorry; e.g, some men lately are getting a particular Marquesan kakau behind the ear, but it's really a female fertility tattoo! Likewise the "Peace Corps" armband--you learn later it's both unheard of in Hawai'ian culture, and was invented in 1974! Then there's the question of traditional tools versus electric needles. I encourage you to do more research, find a kahuna kakau, and plan it out. It is a mantra in real-deal circles that: "You don't just put something on." There are two good kahuna kakau in Hawai'i. One, who I have not used, is Tricia Allen. The other, who I know, is Keone Nunes. Tricia uses electric tools. Keone does it the old way. If you Google their names, you can learn more about them. Many who start with others eventually go to Keone. If you do your homework and want his number, write me back. Left side is female, right is male. True Hawai'ian tattoos (called uhi) are done asymmetrically. Again, do your research; they'll call you names if you do your right leg. Good Luck--Make it Mean Something--It Defines You (If it's not too late)

So i see you're having a little dilema. I had the same problem. Before I got deployed to Iraq I wanted to have the islands tatted. I couldn't decide where. But i finally decided to put them on the inner part of my bicep, big island at the top of my shoulder and the rest of the islands trailing down to my elbow. the reason I chose this was because im from Maui and I wanted Maui to be close to my heart. When I show people my tat they tell me the islands are upside down. to them they are, but for me they are jus where i wanted them. You should also think about whether you want them to be shaded or if you want a design inside the islands. A friend of mine has the hawaiian flag inside of the islands. well hope i this info can be of some help. good luck with your tat

Wow I was impress with the way you explain the Hawaii tradition and I always do my home work because in the tattoo industry if you want to keep on top of your game you must learn more than one tradition more than one custom and I for one love the way you explain that can you please e-mail me somoe of that information so I can use it as reference in my shop for me and for my co-workers My hats off to you. Wow.

Go see Linda - Pirate by the Sea Tattoo - big island of Hawaii. She did islands on me so I love them. try start - big island on my left lower calf with the smaller islands go up. She make hawaiian style art in each island. Call her 808-328-4450 Kimo

i feel the same about the whole getting a tattoo with meaning, so after many months of thinking about it, i decided to get the islands tattoo'd across my chest. with the natural curve of the islands, i decided to start the big island on my right peck, and curve up into my shoulder. then i had to decide how i wanted it, first i thought of just doing it solid, then just outlined, i decided to have it outlined, with the geographical regions shaded in. i just got it done on Tuesday, at Bonzai Tattoo on Kamehameha Hwy in Pearl City. Here is a picture... and if that doesnt work..not knowing if this board post's images heres a link to it http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v13/japawaiian/06/1.jpg

i need to know where i can get the islands tatted on me for cheap on oahu. im getting mine down my ribs with the big island 4 inches down my under arm and ni'ihau ending by my right abs. let me know please.

I have a boyfriend who was born in Oahu and wants to have the chain of Islands incorporated into a tribal on his arm. Could I possibly get a picture from you or some other pictures of your husbands particular tattoo? I would really appreciate this. I have been having a difficult time in finding anything to do with this! If you could please please please help out! His birthday is coming up and I am having someone drawn it for him. Thanks so much for your time. Echo

Echo, any good tattoo artist can do this simple job for you , just find a good tattoo artist, its that simple Hon!

time and time again i have seen many island chain tattoos that give no justice to the detail of the valleys of the island chains. make sure you see the artist portfolio and an example of what you want.. said fro a guy that has tattooed hundreds of them. check out my website for real hawaiian tattoos. aloha and good luck sauel shaw web.mac.com/humanritestattoo

how are you given your uhi or how do you find out what yours is