Keahi Raikes

Keahi Raikes is a award-winning tattoo artist born and raised on Maui. Deeply rooted in the islands, Keahi is Kanaka Maoli on his mother’s side, with Hawaiian ancestry going back generations. His father is from Canada, giving Keahi a multicultural heritage that he proudly honors through his art.

Even as a child, Keahi was sketching and drawing, even in school, to the dismay of teachers. Those early doodles were the first steps toward a lifelong passion.

Tattooing was the natural bridge between his love of art and his desire to express and preserve Hawaiian and Polynesian culture. “It was a way to provide for my family while honoring who I am,” he says.

Keahi apprenticed in Newport Beach, California, with tattoo artist Kareem Masarani—who didn’t specialize in Polynesian work, but gave Keahi the technical foundation to grow. After returning home to Maui, he had the opportunity to work and learn under renowned tattooist Samson Harp at Pacific Rootz, where his knowledge of Polynesian design deepened.

In 2018, Keahi opened his own tattoo shop, Imua Tattoo, on Maui.  Today, Imua is known not just for its skilled artists, but for its cultural authenticity and local roots. In 2023, Imua Tattoo was voted Best Tattoo Shop on Maui, a testament to Keahi’s commitment to excellence. 

While Keahi is versatile—working in black and gray, Japanese, color, and lettering styles—Polynesian and Hawaiian tattooing remain his specialty and passion. Fluent in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language), he views his tattoo work as a modern expression of his culture and identity: “I'm lucky to be able to spread the aloha through designs and art.”

Outside of tattooing, Keahi leads a grounded, active life. He is a devoted family man who enjoys surfing, practicing jiu-jitsu several times a week, and traveling both for tattoo conventions and to explore the world with his loved ones. He sees travel not just as a personal joy, but as a way to expand his daughters’ horizons.

Today, Keahi’s work can be seen all over Maui—on the skin of lifeguards, servers, hotel staff, and friends—and even imprinted on everyday items like wallets. For Keahi, each piece is more than a tattoo; it's a story, a connection, and a proud tribute to Hawaiian heritage.

Get in touch with Keahi at @keahitattoo