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After many years of wanting one, I've finally got a tattoo. I had always like the idea, though I defnitely wanted one that meant something to me. After more and more study on the Pacific, I realised that I wanted one, more than ever. It was partly to align myself to the area I was studying, partly to remember my tiny bit of Hawaiian, and definitely to commemorate my time in New Zealand. Plus, they just look really cool. I resolved to get my tattoo in the Cook Islands, and I spent a lot of time thinking about what I wantd and trying out designs. Once on Rarotonga, I got connected to a tattooist - Boi, aka Poison - who was actually a friend's brother. I sat down with him to work through a design. He took some of my ideas and modified them; I gave some input as he worked. Soon we had a design I was happy with. After some pain but not much time, I had my tattoo! It's on my lower back. I thought I'd give an explanation of it, cause it means a lot more than it looks like! :) |
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The triangle designs are from the Hawaiian tattoo tradition where this design, representing the shark tooth, is prominent. These designs represent my connection to Hawaii on both sides of the family.
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The main element of my tattoo is the head of a fish, specifically the aku which was my grandpa's nickname. There are two of them, and two sides to the design, one for me and one for my brother, but also to represent to two sides of my family since I'm hapa. |
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The koru, or designs of the fern, is prominent in NZ Maori design and commemorates my time spent this year in New Zealand. |
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A Hawaiian petroglyph with a rainbow over its shoulders representing a "protector of the land." |
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Some Marquesan/Tahitian designs that Boi threw in partly as fillers, but also to show my connection to and interest in all of Eastern Polynesian. |
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The moon because I always loved the silence of night time and because as a kid I used to talk to the moon like a friend. :) |
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