LEILANI KAEKA

Newly bestowed Kumu Hula and owner of The Black Lei Tattoo, Leilani Kaeka fuses her upbringing in Hula and her love for black and grey tattooing into all she creates. With 13 years of experience she continues to mature in her craft both in skill and spirituality.

“I was such a naive tattooer when I first started, only now do I realize the importance of what it means to serve in this industry. I love serving people, esp Polynesians and our lahui as Hawaiian people, and I remain very proud of my lineage and the teachings I come from. Connecting clients and families to the things that were once taken away from us so long ago, it’s fullfilling to me to become a bridge of connection to our kupuna, through tattooing. It’s the best job in the world, and I’ve learned that the responsibility is never something we pick for ourselves. I’m honored to do the work, to learn, to serve, and to love.

I pray to able to malama this craft in the same way is has taken care of me. May God grant us the strength we need to reclaim ourselves, and to know where we are headed.”

“E ola mau ka ‘Ike Hawaii.”

(Tattoo Apprenticeship, Faufano Sagapolu)

(Uniki Rites September 2024,

Ke’ala ‘O Kamailelauli’ili’i

Kumu Hula Kamaile Hamada.

Waimea Valley, Kaua’i)

Cameron Pascual