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TheBuzz
Erika Engle
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New tattoo shop aims at upscale customers
AN upscale tattoo shop has quietly opened in Waikiki, at 2301 Kuhio Ave. Oxymoronic? Much like jumbo shrimp, benevolent dictator, or Congressional wisdom? Tattoos and the parlors in which they are created are not generally associated with anything remotely considered upscale.
The 2,000-square-foot shop is the second in a planned chain of Hart & Huntington Tattoo Co. shops around the country.
Hart & Huntington established itself in the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas with an interior almost befitting a white tablecloth restaurant.
It then gained fame across North America in the A&E cable network show "Inked," which was not just about the shop, but about co-founder and motocross star Carey Hart, his employees and the human dynamics between them. The show's second season, which included locally shot video of the search for a Hawaii location, recently wrapped up.
Co-founder John Huntington, a promoter, was bought out and no longer has interests in the company.
Another H&H is soon to open in Cabo San Lucas. The next one may be in Orlando, according to local operations manager Erin Kobayashi.
For some people, a tat would never be part of their life's equation.
"It's really interesting though, because now it's much more mainstream," to get a tattoo, she said. "It's incredible how it's grown."
The shop has "an older crowd," which she estimated at 30-plus. When she left for lunch yesterday, a man and woman in their 40s were getting inked. No biker couple they -- just regular, U.S. domestic tourists, Kobayashi said.
While the blog Hart writes on the company Web site is largely about his travels and hard partying with the crew, he also describes learning experiences and some of his branding philosophy.
Staging H&H's first fashion show to introduce its clothing and accessories was a challenge -- but along the way he insisted that it "represent what the line was all about. Tattoo, rock and roll, badass girls, and art. Not cheesy art but cool dark art."
In Waikiki, the art is applied between burgundy walls at one of four stations or in one of two private rooms by one of six artists, including three who specialize in Polynesian and Asian designs.
"We've got a girl from Japan who does amazing big pieces," Kobayashi said.
Designs start at about $125, but some customers' designs have cost more than $1,000.
One must have cash or a credit card, a parent, if under-age -- and sobriety in order to get tattooed by H&H, according to business manager Jared Kawashima.
An adult who shows up with a minor must be able to prove parenthood or guardianship, Kawashima said.
One pair had to return with documentation, while another woman brought two minor daughters and encouraged each to get tats with her. They were on vacation and a recent, apparently bitter divorce was the catalyst in that scenario, Kawashima said.
The Waikiki Hart & Huntington Tattoo Co. is preparing for a grand opening Jan. 18, which founder Hart plans to attend.
A third season of "Inked" is up in the air, so no shooting schedule or location has been set. However, New York-based Carey representative Scott Novak said, "Carey has every intention of making this Hawaii location as visible as his Las Vegas property."
Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Bulletin. Call 529-4747, fax 529-4750 or write to Erika Engle, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210, Honolulu, HI 96813. She can also be reached at:
eengle@starbulletin.com