Ink your story. Let’s create your own, one-of-a-kind piece at the legendary Skin Design Tattoos Honolulu tattoo shops; text ‘ROBERT’ (702)-297-6079 or shoot me an email at robert@robertpho.com
Hawaii is known for so many things. We’ve got so much natural beauty on our islands—volcanoes, white sand beaches, rainforests, waterfalls, rich, exotic wildlife. And our culture? We’re known for having some of the most laid back, kind, and welcoming people in the world.
As a Cambodian refugee, I can speak to that firsthand. I’m so blessed that Hawaii has welcomed me and my family with open arms. It’s such an inspiring, warm, and inclusive community.
To this day, I still can’t believe I get to call this place home.
As I’ve gotten to know the people and the traditions here, I know that the culture runs a lot deeper than people on the mainland know. There’s more to it than luaus and ukuleles. Hawaii is also home to some mind blowing art.
I feel so honored to be a part of that through Skin Design’s Honolulu tattoo shops. I get to show up, day after day, in a place so beautiful it almost doesn’t feel real, and leave my legacy through ink. It’s surreal.
Honolulu Tattoo Shops: Where Traditions Meet Innovation
Hawaiians have been creating body art for centuries. It’s not something new. Tattoos, or “kakau,” were once used to mark social status, spiritual beliefs, and personal journeys.
Traditional Hawaiian tattoos, called “uhi,” were almost forgotten. They’re made using ancient techniques. Artists would tap intricate designs into the skin with a sharp albatross bone tool, “mōlī,” and use ink made from candlenut soot, or “kukui.”
Today, most Honolulu tattoo shops use more modern methods of tattooing—but that’s not to say there aren’t lasting impacts of this technique on their culture.
In 2022 alone, Hawaii had over 83 tattoo shops, with Honolulu tattoo shops just a small portion of that number.
Honolulu tattoo shops, like Skin Design Tattoos, are a hub for both traditional and contemporary tattoos. The tattoo scene blends so many cultures and style elements—from Polynesian designs, black and grey realism, to bold, modern styles.
One of the things I love the most about the Hawaiian tattoo community is the way we merge old-school, traditional techniques with the more innovative, modern methods and trends.
Back in July, I flew out the winner of our free tattoo contest to our Honolulu studio. I ended up using bigger mags and bringing out the coil machine—a method of tattooing that’s considered “outdated” by a lot of newer artists.
But that mentality isn’t as popular in Honolulu tattoo shops. Here, your clientele is mixed—there’s tourists, people who fly to Hawaii for you, your story, and your art, and then there’s the locals. There is no “standard” for art, and that’s what I love about it. It’s all personalized.
At our Honolulu tattoo shops, we’ve got artists with all different backgrounds.
The Talented Artists at Our Honolulu Tattoo Shops
There’s me. If you search, “Robert Pho,” you’ll see a lot about my story, my background, the challenges I faced that lead me to where I am. You’ll see how that’s reflected in my art. I specialize in realism, black and grey, and portraits—and you can trace that history back over three decades.
For me, tattooing isn’t just a job. It’s my passion. It’s a way to express myself, build a life for myself and my family that I never could have imagined, and it’s been my second chance at life. It’s one of my biggest blessings.
View my digital portfolio of black and grey realism here & shoot me an email at robert@robertpho.com for your next tattoo
But there’s also younger, emerging artists like McKenna, Christina, and Jasmynn, apprentices who take my style and technique and make it their own. There’s artists like Zues, who take black and grey tattoos and add a little color, finding ways to put depth into timeless traditions.
Me & McKenna at the 2024 Golden State Tattoo Expo
There’s artists like Cat Castro, who have taken their love for ink and made waves across social media and the tattoo scene—who are making an impact in the world of body art by doing something she’s loved since she was just 12 years old.
There’s artists who specialize in vibrant colors, in fine lines, and in just about everything else. At SDT, we’re here to serve our clients and create memories on skin—whatever that looks like for you.
There’s so many ways Honolulu tattoo shops like ours are helping to shape the future of tattooing. We’re preserving the past while leaving our own mark on the future. I’m so humbled to be a part of it.
Finding Honolulu Tattoo Shops For Your Needs and Style
If you’re looking into Honolulu tattoo shops, there are a lot of different factors to consider.
What’s your style? What type of vibe do you want from your artist? What’s your price point?
You also want to think about:
Hygiene and Safety
Prioritize cleanliness and sterilization. A reputable shop will follow (and even exceed) strict health and safety regulations to minimize the risk of infection.
Experience and Reputation
Check the shop’s reviews and testimonials. What are people saying about them? Check social media, look at their tagged photos, and see if you can find reviews where it shows not only the tattoo fresh out of the studio, but fully healed. You want something you can wear with pride for the rest of your life.
Consultation and Communication
The right Honolulu tattoo shops have artists that will take the time to understand your ideas, collaborate with you, and create something one-of-a-kind.
You never want to feel like your art is copy-and-paste from someone else’s design—that’s not fair to you as a client or the original artist.
Skin Design Tattoos: The Best Honolulu Tattoo Shops
At Skin Design, our Honolulu tattoo shops are all of this and more. We redefine the standard for art and connection—because to us, it’s not a job. It’s a lifestyle. It’s a way for us to create a legacy—for ourselves, our loved ones, and our heritage. It’s a community.
We’re a family, and every single one of our clients is a part of that.
If you’re looking for Honolulu tattoo shops on your next trip or in your area, send let’s talk. Send me an email at robert@robertpho.com or fill out the no-obligation form here: https://www.robertpho.com/contact — I’ll be prioritizing on-island bookings all 2025.
Let’s goooo!
