Soul Signature Tattoo

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    • Sua Suluape Toetu'u Aisea
    • Joel Albanez
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    • Sua Suluape Toetu'u Aisea
    • Joel Albanez
    • Lucky Olelo
    • Kyle Singson
    • Lopeti Toetu'u
    • Mike Haboh
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Customer satisfaction and design originality is what we strive for. It is our #1 Priority.
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June 18th, 2014

6/18/2014

 

  • 2/21/2012 Previous review
    I'll be reviewing Joel Albanez, who is a part of the Soul Signature family.

    For awhile now, I've been looking to do a tattoo that was all pinay, Filipina style. The hard part was finding a tattoo artist that would do traditional Filipino tribal. After seeing some work done by Joel and hearing great stories by a couple of my friends, it validated my decision to get tattooed by him. Since he lives in California, he comes to Hawaii often, but it's important to set your appointment early on and keep following up.

    At first I wasn't sure what to expect because each of Joel's pieces are different and unique. I told him that I wanted it strictly Filipino and to have symbols and signs of crops because my grandparents were farmers and Damili pots because that's what my mom's hometown in the Philippines was known for.

    His space is clean and he has great vibes, which is very comforting. I already knew anyone who was a part of Soul Signature was professional so I had already trusted him from the beginning. 

    He first drew free-hand on my back with some markers, and I was so happy with what he drew up. 

    It was painful, like all tattoos, especially since this was on my spine.

    His lines were so straight, and the tattoo design itself was flawless and clean. It wasn't anything too crazy either because I'm a huge minimalist. I love how I identify with this tattoo, like it's been way overdue to get it.

    I felt like I really did get a 'soul signature' tattoo. Thank you Joel! Read lessWas this review …?

    • Useful 6
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    • Cool 3


Steven A.

7/2/2013

 
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San Jose, CA
Was going to vacation with the family on Oahu and I decided to find someone to do a tapping tattoo.  Inevitably, and most fortunately, found my way to Soul Signature.  I arranged all the details over email with Monika, who was a pleasure to deal with, and dates were set for the consult and the tattoo. The shop was easy to find and the consult with Aisea went well.  He is an amazing person and it was an absolute pleasure to meet him. I am very pleased with the results and the more we spoke the more I realized that he is really trying to preserve the traditions and soul of his people

Jenner D.

6/6/2013

 
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La Puente, CA
Good vibe!  Great staff. Nothing like getting tattooed for 4 hours on the chest. These guys made me feel right at home. I'd recommend them to my mom!  Great work Lopeti (straight up Michelangelo'd it) true artist. Ill remember it as long as I have Chinese sausages... One love bruddah!
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Shawna W.

2/14/2013

 
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Redondo Beach, CA
Professional, friendly and great work to boot!  My husband & I decided to get tattoos (not matching.. that would be silly) while on vacation in Oahu.  We both got uniquely individual tattoos custom drawn just for us.  I got a tribal style seahorse & he got tribal style work added to his existing arm piece.  Very happy with the whole experience.  We even got to see some tapping work being done on another client while we were there which was amazing.  Go.  You won't be dissapointed!

Rissa K.

2/3/2013

 
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Honolulu, HI
This place is awesome!  Very easy to find on Kapiolani right across the 24 Hour Fitness Center and next Femme Nu Night Club!  I love the vibe here and all the artists here are all awesome!  They make you feel like family here and I just love all the artwork that is hanging in this shop.  This place is very clean and professional.

Jake N.

12/20/2012

 
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Honolulu, HI
I got my first tattoo here on December 18th and I could not be happier.  I had booked a tapping session with Aisea over a month in advance and it was well worth the wait.  This might not be the studio for you if you are looking for flash or trendy tattoos, but if you are looking for a piece of art with soul, this is it.  Aisea is hands down the best artist I have seen at traditional Tongan or tribal work.  If you are serious about wearing art that deserves the honor and respect of a cultural tradition that is rapidly being forgotten, I can't recommend a tapping session with Aisea strongly enough.  Not to mention, his work looks absolutely bad ass.

Mike C. 

12/9/2012

 
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Novato, CA
LOPETI.  IS.  THE.  MAN!!!!!!

He covered up a pretty awful tattoo on the side of my right calf -- and it looks NOTHING like a cover up.  It's just amazing.

During my consultation, I showed him what I wanted covered up and told him to design an original traditional Polynesian tattoo for me.  Then I asked what else he needed to know.  He just smiled and said, "When you come back for your tattoo, we'll sit down and talk stories and I'll draw something for you."

A few days later I showed up for my appointment, we talked for a minute again about what I wanted, and then he started drawing on my leg.  Because of my position, I couldn't see what he was doing but we talked a little more while he drew -- not about my tattoo but about my life.  He asked me why I wanted a traditional Polynesian tattoo, what the story was behind my old tattoo, where I had been in the Islands, whether I had a family, etc.  About 30 or 40 minutes later, he stopped drawing and said, "Check it out."  I hopped off the table, walked over to the mirror, and I was BLOWN AWAY.  The design was even more beautiful than I had expected ... I had no idea how he did such a complex design in such a short time ... and, somehow, it all seemed exactly right for me.  Like it BELONGED on me.  Lopeti asked me if I wanted to change anything and I practically shouted "NO!" at him.

The tattoo took about 3 hours or so to complete.  The last 30 minutes was a little painful because the tattoo wrapped around the back of my calf just under the knee -- but Lopeti is an extremely gentle tattooist.  I almost fell asleep at one point!  This tattoo is healing so much more quickly and easily than the others I've had.

Bottom line, Lopeti is a great artist, a great tattooist, and a very humble, nice guy.  I'll be sitting with him again on my next trip to Oahu, for sure.

Also, a shout out to Monkia, who helped me set up my appointments.  She is super nice, very helpful and very funny.

I LOVE this shop.  One day, I hope to meet Aisea and have him tattoo me as well.

Missy D.

9/20/2012

 
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Calgary, Canada
Probably one of the coolest tattoo shops I've been to. I did a lot of research before we went, as we talked about getting tattoos. This place had great reviews from all over, so picked it. 

We weren't sure when we were going to do them, so didn't book an appt and took a chance. We walked in mid afternoon, and there was just people hanging out, super laid back. The assistant girl came over and talked to us about what we wanted and she set us up with Tin. He drew the design and we were getting tattoos within 15 minutes. 

Tin was an a awesome guy, the design is super cool and meaningful. And we actually ended up meeting some of the other artists and spending most of the day with them. 

As well, their friend just started a food truck called the Taco Kabana. It should be up and running October 1st and looks super awesome. Legit Mexican food. I hoep to stay in touch with everyone and will go back for sure.

James N.

9/5/2012

 
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Jersey City, NJ
Got a last minute tattoo here and couldn't be happier with the results.  Eugene saw me on his day off and was really accommodating with my schedule (had to fly back home the same day - I wouldn't recommend anyone to do this though).  Really knew his stuff when it came to traditional Hawaiian tattoos as well as being a student of art in general.  I gave him just loose guidelines to go by for my tattoo and he nailed it!  I'm  definitely going back next time I visit and am planning to get a half-sleeve!

Todd S.

8/31/2012

 
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Fort Walton Beach, FL
A truly fantastic experience, I was visiting friends in Hawaii and being a tattoo enthusiast I wanted a traditional tapping tattoo. I did my research and found Aisea is very highly regarded on traditional tapping tattoos. I contacted them via the Internet and was helped very quickly and very professional. When i went in for my consultation it was a very busy shop but I was treated with great respect and treated like family there. I have been in more than my fair share of tattoo shops and they are right up there as far as customer service and everything else. I explain what area i was wanting done and told Aisea to basically just run with it. Well when I came back to have my tattoo done it was a really awesome experience with all the tradition and the respect I was given. Well the tattoo turned out awesome and it has to be one of my favorite pieces on me and my highlight of my trip to Hawaii. Aisea made me feel like a member of his family and the pricing was really good, lot better than I expected. It was truly a moving life experience and I highly recommend any of there great artist to anyone who is looking for a great piece of art and friendly staff.
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