Soul Signature Tattoo

I have never even cared about writing reviews about anything.... However this was a must... I had stopped by a tattoo shop that would not give my wife and i the time of day... I then stumbled across this tattoo shop and decided to stop... The girl who attended us was the nicest ever... I informed her of what i was thinking of getting and then told me Kyle would be my artist... I gave him free reighn as far as what he wanted to do and along with Aisea and Lopeti. They hand sketched on my arm and after a few  we were all good to go. Kyle had no issue working on me till 2:30am making sure all was good... I have to say that this shop made me feel like if i were part of their family.. They even bought me dinner from ZIPPYS... And as a bonus they had this world famous group rehersing in the shop. stay away from the tattoo shop on kona and go to these guys... I have never ever felt so comfy away from home as i did here.. I even found a fellow mexican from sinaloa... Aisea is a really wise man... So is the rest of his crew...

Kyle.... i cant thank you enough for working your magic... Next time i am in O'ahu i will def have the rest of my sleeve with you... Keep up the good work... Cheers from L.A.

Stopped by Soul Signature earlier this week during my trip back home and wanted to write a review on the excellent work Kyle did with my first tattoo. 

I've been wanting to get a tattoo, but wasn't sure what I wanted to get like most people getting their first tattoo. I knew I wanted something simple, but I wanted it to be meaningful to me as well. My trip back home was getting close to ending & I didn't want to leave without getting my tattoo. I finally decided I wanted my first tattoo to be of the Hawaiian islands. Got it placed close to my heart because I value it to be my true home & because I have made memories w/ friends & family that are irreplaceable. Gave Soul Signature a call & although they recommend making appointments, they took me in as a walk-in.

After being greeted upon walking in, Kyle was the artist that would be giving me my tattoo. When I described the tattoo I wanted, he immediately recognized me from my call earlier and got everything set up. Kyle was great at easing someone into their first tattoo. His work area was well-kept & he was really easy going. He explained the process of what was going to happen & even recommended what would look best & let me decide from there. Kyle was a great guy to get to know about his line of work & how he first got into being an artist with the Soul Signature family. He is really good at what he does for only having been doing this for 3 years and I'm very pleased with how my tattoo came out. Much mahalo to Kyle & the rest of the Soul Signature family with putting out such great work. Definitely considering getting another tattoo from them during my next visit back home. Thanks again Kyle!

i had some traditional tapping done there. i have had 5 other tattoo at different studios around the world and have never felt more at home than here.  the staff is friendly and helpful. If your in a rush, this is not the place for you. The artists seem to love what they do and take their time. i will be back for more. ***book as far in advance as possible***

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!

Pros 

+ 3 of my family members visiting from Vancouver got tattoos here in the span of 2 days. It's the 15-year-old nephew's first tattoo. The next day his mom decided to get one as well. It became a family bonding experience and a ritual signifying the boy becoming a man. 
+ Eugene did all 3. He is very professional. He put you to ease and explained the process clearly for the boy. Overall a very good vibe about him. He did a great job with all 3 tattoos. The uncle said he is coming back in a few weeks to have another tattoo done by Eugene. 
+ We brought our own designs on print-outs and Eugene drew it on the skin first to make sure you like it before starting the work. They also have several books with unique artwork for you to choose from. 
+ The place is very clean and spacious and well-lit. Not seedy like some of the other tattoo parlors. 
+ When the nephew was getting his tattoo, there was another 17-year girl, accompanied by her mom and aunt, getting her first tattoo. Of course we were all recording the event with cameras. It was almost sacred. 
+ All tattoo artists here are very laid-back and friendly. All good artists with great energy, which I heard is very important for someone who's going to put something permanent on your skin. 
+ Good location, across the street from 24 hours fitness on Kapiolani. 

Cons 

- Limited parking. So either street parking or use the pay lot. Street parking can be hard to find in the evening. 
- Cash only. Minimum $100 per tattoo. The more elaborate ones will be more expensive.

I've been wanting to get some work done since for 2+ years. spent some time researching and reading about tattoo studios on the island. just look at luckys work and you can see the difference in quality.

being born and raised in hawaii, i promised myself i would get my first tattoo done in my home state. i go to school in cali so im only back for a month in the winter and 3 for the summer. i've always had bills to pay and a few times i came in and talked to lucky but the timing never worked out.

i went in a little while ago and we finally set up an appointment and got some ink in. the crew @ soul sig seems super busy.. dont take it personally if they dont call you back, you want the tattoo.. you follow up and keep in touch.

asian inspired piece. koi fish with japanese wave pattern and cherry blossoms on my left shoulder going down until above my elbow. PM FOR PICS. lucky and everyone else in the shop is cool as hell, down to earth, and funny. first session down, one more to go. just dont be a douche and its all g..

clean, friendly, funny, excellent work, plus would you really want to go to a tattoo studio that had a 2/5?

you can check luckys work out @
http://www.soulsignature…
http://www.hisuerte.com

i gotta give it up to soul signature. my bf and i were visiting oahu on vacation and were both itching for tattoos. we found soul sig on yelp (thanks to my bf, who is obsessed with it) and we couldn't have found a better spot. 

lucky helped us book our appointments and ended up being the guy to tattoo both of us. he was hella cool, laid back and easy to work with. turns out he's also quite talented. highly recommend!

if you're in the area, HIT. THEM. UP!!!

I am writing my first ever review and I was thinking who can I write that is deserving of 5 stars.  Please keep in mind that I'm a harsh, detailed, but fair critic when it comes to anything customer service related.  Right away, I thought of Suluape Aisea.  If you are looking for a poly/flip tattoo artist Brother Aisea is one of the best in my opinion.  I have known this most down the earth guy since 1998 and besides his evolving art, he truly cares about what you want in your tattoo.  You will not be disappointed.  Please understand that if you have an appointment with him that he will come as soon as possible.  The great artists especially a legend are always in high demand.  Many times they work until the wee hours.  They do not work the typical 9--5 jobs.  Please be patient.  The wait will definitely be worth it...

If you are looking for a place to get an amazing, very satisfying, crazy [maybe ;)], unique tattoo, you have to go to Soul Signature Tattoos!!! I am recently getting a back piece of a geisha done (still in progress) by Mandy Garcia. Her work is so creative and unique. As a very skillful tattoo artist, she is able to design the work that you will definitely not regret!!!

The people at the shop are also very nice, welcoming, and genuine. Lucky has actually done a sleeve on my boyfriend's arm and it is also amazing work. He did a samurai facing a tiger. They are also working on his other sleeve of two kois and a couple lotus flowers. Very very sick inkage! 

Seriously, they are the best!  I totally recommend anyone to go to this place. You will definitely fall in love with them ;)

If you wanna check out their blog, here are the links:
Mandy Garcia: 
http://www.mandygarcia.c…

Lucky:
http://www.hisuerte.com

There comes a time in your life when you start to crave quality.  For me, that happened in my late 20s.  No longer do I really want that medium Big Mac meal when the urge to eat junk food strikes,  now I crave a Kobe beef burger and sweet potato fries.  

I will speak mostly for myself, but also in very general terms because a lot of my friends with tattoos will agree:  Most of the tattoos that I would have gotten in my early 20s would have been a lesson in long-term regret.  I didn't really know myself, and I didn't consider the future back then.  The bottom line is:  I would have a lot of really silly stuff all over my body if I'd let myself get inked back then (case in point, this dude I know with "all alone" tattooed on his back.  no, really.).  Also, back then I would have gone somewhere cheaper and far more mediocre.  Thank god I kept my tattooing to a minimum earlier in life.

After a lot of thought, consideration, and research, I decided to have Lucky over at Soul Signature sleeve my right arm.  He's done work for a lot of friends, and his work always stands out.  He specializes in new school tribal and Japanese-style iconography.  His lines, shading, sense of composition, and style are unique enough to be recognizably his, but classic enough to show elements of the original aesthetic that created the styles of tattoing he practices.  I went for a traditional Japanese 3/4 sleeve, with wind bars and a chest plate.  I basically gave Lucky a few themes, some rough design references, and let him do his thing, an artist like Lucky does best when you give him loose guidelines and let him come up with your piece on his own.  I'm several sittings and about 16 hours in, and so far I've been nothing but impressed by the quality of his work.  Even grandma loves it (well she isn't as mad as I thought she'd be).

Soul Signature itself is a comfortable, clean space.  The guys are all characters but in that good, funny kind of way.  Everyone cares about the quality of their work and the ethic I see there really pays off in the kind of ink this shop slings.

When you're ready to have a real piece of art on your body, this is the place to go.  One of the best shops on the island IMO.