Hawaiian Tattoos

Hawaiian tattoos have been displayed for nearly two thousand years.  Some men would have one half of their body from head to toe tattooed.  This display was commonly worn by warriors.  Some specific hawaiian tattoos such as the lizard, were worn by certain peoples and was a sign of upper society.

In past years Hawaiian Tattoos were worn to honor loved ones, show grief, or names and datesto show respect of a certain event or person.  As today both Hawaiian menand women were tattooed.  Some had their tongue tattooed and faces were a very common area to have tattooed.

Traditional Hawaiian tattoo art was known as kakau.  Hula dancers were known to have displayed numerous tattoos.  Needles were made using birds, animals and fish tails or fish bones. Years ago tattoos depicted squares, triangles, crescents and personal Gods.  Today some popular designs include, tribal Hawaiian leg or armbands, flowers, turtles and dolphins.