Traditional Tattoo Festival

Kohala Institute
53-580 Iole Rd, Kapaau, Hawaii 96755
United States

Traditional Tattoo Festival (TTF) is a 4 day event produced by and held at Kohala Institute, The Kohala Village Inn and the Blue Dragon Tavern in Hawaii. TTF features ritualistic and ceremonial practices of traditional tattooing from Pacific and Arctic cultures including Hawaiian, Inuit, Taiwanese, Filipino, etc. Traditional Tattoo Festival is the first convening of it’s kind in Hawai’i featuring master practitioners Keone Nunes, Lane Wicken, Holly Nordlum, Cudjuy Patridjes, Sarah Whalen Lunn, Dion Kaszas, Julia Mage’au Gray and other internationally recognized master artists including renowned tattoo anthropologist Lars Krutak.

The inspiration for the festival goes beyond the current commercial tattoo trends to illuminate the deep cultural origins of this practice as well as the perpetuation and innovation of the original traditions and its ties to other visual culture makers.

They’ll kick off the weekend on Friday night at the Blue Dragon Restaurant by meeting the artists and celebrating with live music, local farm-to-flavor food, dj, dance and libations. Saturday will be an all ages Arts And Culture fair at Kohala Village HUB featuring live music, tattoo demonstrations, art workshops, food trucks and a film festival. Saturday and Sunday is 2- day Symposium at Kohala Institute at ‘Iole bringing together traditional tattoo experts with culture and tattoo enthusiasts for live demonstrations, films, master artist talks and fireside ‘awa ritual.