“PAHU PAHU” 05 & 06

Apr 18

The saga continues.

Honoring Su’a Suluape Keone Nunes, Pā Uhi - his school of Hawaiian tattooing, and his esteemed teacher, mentor, and luminary Su’a Suluape Paulo II, KAIROU Waterman proudly debuted a series of four skateboard decks decorated in traditional Hawaiian tattoo motifs, earlier this year: “Pahu Pahu” 01-04.

The “Pahu Pahu” series continues its growth and stylistic evolution with iterations 05 & 06. Constructed from Canadian Maple plys, and painted in acid-free acrylic black ink, the texture of each board’s composition is meant to emulate the fresh uhi (marks) left by a skilled practitioner, using a traditional hahau (tapping stick) and mōlī (bone needle applicator).

“Pahu Pahu” 05 continues what iterations 01-04 began by combining traditional Hawaiian tattoo motifs in ways that emulate - not imitate - how the practice of kakau uhi (traditional Hawaiian tattooing) can alter, transform, & beautify what was once merely bare skin. Reliefs of asymmetric positive and negative space create visual texture and deep contrast. The ink has been layered several times to recreate the physical and kinetic inconsistencies typically found in freshly tattooed skin - such as scarring, veins, stretch marks, folds, and surface tension. The board itself is a short “cruiser” whose profile recalls both the traditional, finless Hawaiian wave-riding board - the alaia - as well as the modern ‘hot curl’ surfboards of pre-WWII era Waikīkī.

“Pahu Pahu” 06 draws inspiration from patterns found in textiles common to feudal Japan. Kimono are Japan’s most iconic garment; its uniform silhouette became a unique canvas to express several highly geometric but iconic designs, rich in history and popular across several generations of Japanese. The board’s background pattern is a variation of Yagasuri (矢絣) - otherwise known as Yabane (矢羽根). The pattern represents the fletching, or bird feathers, of an archer’s arrow. During New Year's Day celebrations, decorative arrows were kept as lucky charms to repel evil and protect the home. Hence, the motif is considered a symbol of protection and good luck. Two vertical rows of contrasting maka’ihe (spear tip motifs) flank the spine of the board, and reinforce a subtle visual association with traditional weapons of war.