Rainbow Falls Tattoo- Kailua-Kona, Big Island, Hawaii - The Big Island's Oldest Tattoo Service

The Big Island's oldest tattoo shop is also one of its finest. Founded by ink specialist Steve Cotton, Rainbow Falls Tattoo has not only become a fixture in the Kailua-Kona scene, it has also opened a branch in Hilo and, most recently, another in Sedona, Arizona.

Steve's work ranges from simple geometric designs to elaborate portraiture. Many of his portfolio entries are Hawaiian themes, such as sea turtles, geckos, leaping dolphins, and tropical floral motifs. He also excels at Japanese-style irezumi and, of course, Hawaiian arm and leg bands.

Hawaiian tattooing is an ancient custom and one of the earliest Polynesian art forms. Originally, Hawaiian tribal tattoo art was known as "Kakau'' and applied under strict religious rules. Even today, many Hawaiians recognize tattoo gods and whenever a member of the community gets a tattoo, prayers may be said in a temple.

Some tattoos were believed to offer protection from evil spirits or ill fortune. Others were applied as a symbol of mourning for a loved one. And in some cases, tattoos may be selected strictly as adornments. The most common use of Hawaiian tattoos, however, is for personal identification rather than ceremonial purposes.

Traditional Hawaiian tribal tattoos are mostly black. The tattoo ink used to make them originally came from a mixture of kukui nuts and sugarcane juice. The tools used to create them came from the sharp and pointy animal parts, such as claws, bird beaks, or fish fins, connected to a piece of wood and struck with a mallet.

Hawaiian tattoo designs tend to be larger and bolder than their Polynesian counterparts. Typical motifs include lizards, sea creatures, arrows, and flowers. Hawaiian men usually have tattoos on their legs, arms, face or torso. Women may have them on their hands, wrists or tongue.

After Western contact, Hawaiian tattoo art broadened to include more fanciful shapes such as birds, goats, fans, and guns. Upon King Kamehameha's death in 1819, many Hawaiians had his image tattooed on themselves as an indication of respect for the king.

The tattoo art of Rainbow Falls Tattoo uses only the latest equipment, of course, and the artists, although mindful of local traditions, are decidedly modern in their approach. Like Steve, Cheryl Cotton has a broad repertoire, which includes dragons, Japanese koi, tropical birds and elegant floral arrangements. Other artists handle butterflies, warriors, tropical fish, flaming phoenix, snakes, and every other kind of design imaginable. Especially popular among women are the hibiscus and orchid designs.

Besides body art, Rainbow Falls Tattoo has also offered a spray tanning service since 2003. The color lasts from five to twelve days, takes only 20 minutes to apply, and costs $35 per treatment.

Rainbow Falls Tattoo is located at 75-5719 Alii Drive, Kailua-Kona Hawaii 96740-1738. To get there from Kona International Airport, take the Queen Kaahumanu Highway (State Route 19) south to State Highway 11. Continue to Palani Road and turn right. Follow Palani Road until it becomes Alii Drive.