Over the course of the last five months I had the pleasure of getting my first tattoo created by the wonderfully talented Joe Byrne at Koi Tattoo in Kailua. I have spent years contemplating this decision, for it would be one that literally stuck with me the rest of my life. Joe went beyond the realm of what I imagine any ordinary artist could go. He was more than accommodating in my work schedule and the remaining time I had on island. He put my comfort before anything else. It was a great experience and I am more than happy with being able to share that experience with Joe at Koi Tattoo. A huge thank you for everything!! I only wish I had more time left so I could have RJ do a piece as well! Read Less

Super happy with our experience at Koi Tattoo. Over the holidays, my son got his first tattoo and I decided to get my tattoo of 20+ years cleaned up. Here's what you need to know:1. You can coordinate your appointment via text. A deposit is required, which you can pay for online via Square.2. Shop is clean and the artists ensure everything is sanitary.3. Rates are two hundred dollars an hour but you only pay for the time used (minimum of 30 minutes, I believe). So, for instance, if your tattoo takes 45 minutes, your cost would be $150.4. You can pay with a credit card. Thank goodness! Read Less

I have limited experience in tattoo art, the design process, or how the actual appointment should go considering the only other "art" I have is an uninspiring tribal stamp I got as soon as I turned 18. Working with Joe opened my eyes to what I believe the experience of getting a tattoo should be. For about 2 months Joe worked with me on a custom design I wanted on my heart/chest that was very personal to me.  He was patient as we went back and forth on slight design revisions and had great suggestions. In the end, I couldn't have been more happy with the design.  As for the actual appointment, Joe set my expectations both price-wise and how the procedure would go.  It came out better than I expected and he even had some in-procedure changes/adds that he felt would make the tattoo "pop".  Bottom line: Joe is a great tattoo artist but what really impressed me was how much he genuinely cares about the quality of his art and the satisfaction of his clients.  This was a great experience and I would recommend him to anyone who doesn't just want to pick a number from a book! Read Less

I had a great experience at this tattoo shop! Joe was my tattoo artist and did an amazing job. They have great availability and was able to schedule a slot. He communicated with me to get an idea of what I wanted and put together a great piece of what I was looking for. When I walked in, the place was clean, and he cleaned and prepped my arm very well. Being a medical professional myself, his sanitation and cleanliness was very high-standards, even better than some other people I've seen. He is very meticulous with his work and makes sure you are comfortable the entire time. He is friendly and down to earth! Highly recommend this tattoo shop! Read Less

My boyfriend and I travelled to Oahu from Toronto and knew we wanted our first tattoos done on the island! I was already in contact with Joe before our trip even started. From the start, Joe was professional, friendly, and so kind! Joe explained the process clearly from start to end. He took his time and made sure we were comfortable. Joe even designed Jason's tattoos, giving them that Hawaiian tribal vibe. We would definitely recommend Joe to any and every one! Thanks Joe! Read Less

Joe is a superb artist. Been going to him for over 2 years. Really takes pride and care in his work and always comes out with amazingly realistic pieces. If photo realism is something you want hit him up and you won't be disappointed Read Less

TL;DR - Came to the island to see my little sister graduate, left the island with a gorgeous tattoo by the incredibly talented RJ. When I first described what I had envisioned for a tattoo to RJ, I gave him a vague, abstract, disorganized, and unfocused mish-mash of images and symbols. After I word-vomited my mental picture his way, I felt little hope for him to be able to design something coherent. Twenty-four hours after we spoke, I received a picture message with a gorgeous draft of an image he put together. Through pure talent and skill, RJ organized the chaos of my thoughts into the art of my dreams. I knew as soon as I saw the initial sketch that I was going to get a new tattoo during this visit. RJ was quick to communicate and coordinate a time to sit with me and go from start to finish on his drawing. I sat for 5ish hours and almost snoozed through the session. RJ has a feather-lite touch which made the experience of getting tattooed that much more refreshing. He remained focused and professional during the entire process and only stopped for breaks at my request. His tattoo area was as clean as an operating theater. The music was on point too. Every aspect of the process with RJ was top notch. He's a wildly talented tattoo artist. His style of drawing is unique, practiced, honed in & on point and his tattoo work is worth every penny. 10/10 would pay for RJ art again. Read Less

Today was my first time ever getting a tattoo and the people at Koi Tattoo couldn't have made it more of a memorable experience for me. I've been in contact with Joe Byrne for the past week that I've been here on a family trip and he's been super helpful about getting every single detail I wanted implemented in my design. To top it off, he was extremely professional and very helpful with every question I had. He was extremely thoughtful and kept on asking if I was okay, which made me feel extremely comfortable laying on that table! Thanks for the amazing experience Joe, you're one amazing dude! Read Less

Went here for the first time today with my best friend and had an amazing experience. The shop was cozy, fun and very clean. Our artist, Joe Byrne, is awesome. He's very friendly, funny and knowledgeable. The tattoo process was smooth and he talked you through the whole process. This was my 5th tattoo but my friends 1st, so having that talk through on the process was great. I would suggest to get dropped off as the parking is a bit hard to handle if you have a wide turning vehicle like me but that didn't take away from my tattoo experience. I will definitely be back for more! Thank you so much Joe, and Koi Tattoo for an amazing experience! Read Less

This studio is amazing. The crew there couldn't be better people if they tried. My girlfriend and I were on vacation in Kailua and we decided to get tattoos. Lisa went out of her way to get us an appointment before we had to head home to Colorado. Dodge gave us our tattoos, and we couldn't be happier with the results. They are not only skilled, but have a vast amount of love for anything art or tattoo related. They are incredibly talented. That talent is matched only by their friendly natures. If I am ever anywhere close to Kailua again I will be going to more ink from them. Read Less

I had the pleasure of being tattooed by Joe Byrne and I was very impressed with not only his professionalism, but also his amazing tattooing ability. I got a plumeria on my foot and Joe couldn't have done a better job. He was very patient with me decided on placement of the piece, and he was very patient with me when I needed to take short breaks during the tattoo. Next time I'm on Oahu I will be sure to visit Joe again for my next piece. If you're wanting a tattoo on the island of Oahu, I highly recommend visiting Joe Byrne. Read Less

Awesome tattoo shop. Personally think it is one of the better tattoo shops on island. The artists there all do great work. Got work done by Joe Byrne, who specializes in 'Black and Grey'. Artists were friendly, the atmosphere was nice and chill. The shop rate is ~200$ with some give or take depending on what you get and how the tattooing goes, but it is well worth it. Check out their Instagram, all of their artists have accounts. Read Less

Lisa did my wife's tattoo and I appreciated her attention to detail and color that I went to her for my first tattoo. (AFTER I interviewed two other Honolulu artists, but that's another story....) She listened, sketched, and worked WITH me to create what's turning out to be an incredible ankle to hip tattoo. I'm blown away with the artwork, detail, color, and her artistry especially since it's artwork I get to live with every day of the rest of my life. She's the best and I recommend her highly. I've also enjoyed the rest of the crew at Koi -- giving great consultations in a pleasant, professional way, and seeing the incredible works of art they create while I'm getting my work done as well. Read Less

My husband and I came here for an anniversary trip and got matching tattoos and I  have never been so impressed with an artist.  Dodge was incredible, fun, clean, incredibly skilled has such a light touch.  I wish so much I could get all my tats from Dodge.  If we ever make it back I'll be getting another from him.  If you are in Hawaii and looking for a tattoo go see Dodge. Read Less

I cannot express enough how amazing Dodge at Koi Tattoo is! My dad, three sisters and I went in for an appointment to each get tattoos in honor of my brother. Dodge was a patient professional, taking the time to ensure we were happy with the designs, sizes, and locations. His work was excellent and we all left their extremely pleased. Everyone in my family would absolutely recommend Dodge at Koi Tattoo! Read Less

I can't say enough about Dodge and Koi Tattoo. I had friends in town and we want to get a very simply tattoo as a memorial to a friend we lost. Dodge was great. He treated us the same as if we were getting the most complex tattoos. His care to understand the meaning behind our choice meant a lot to each of us. He was patient as we each decided the look and placement of our version. We were never rushed and Dodge encouraged us to think and be sure it was just how we wanted. He told us exactly what to expect and he prepared us perfectly. I know I will be back for another. Thanks to Dodge for making our memorial tattoo experience special. Hands down amazing shop and artist. Read Less

Work of art! Lisa created an incredible tattoo that incorporated everything we discussed. The attention to detail and use of multiple shading techniques reflect Lisa's artistry and expertise. In addition to being extremely talented Lisa is warm and friendly which makes the whole process comfortable. Read Less

Clean and professional.  The owner, Dodge, and his professional team do first class work at a reasonable price. I won't go anywhere else.  My wife and I had our tattoos refreshed but they were actually improved and corrected where previous artists had made mistakesGreat people and awesome work! Read Less

This is "Hands Down" the best tattoo shop I've ever been to, and I will not visit any other shop while I live in Hawaii.  I asked Lisa for a Taino style half-sleeve tattoo and she did her own research on the indigenous culture.  Her sketch blew me away and the final product was amazing!  Lisa also fixed a 10 year old tattoo that I had and the fix/addition she did was just breathtaking!  I am definitely going back for my next tattoo.  Great vibe and atmosphere throughout the entire shop and staff.  This tattoo shop is second to none! Read Less

Life has constant changes. I live in Connecticut. During my last visit to Hawaii to visit my sister who is sick with cancer. We decided to get sister tattoos. Unfortunately, my sister's doctor felt it was best to wait till her treatment was finished. I designed a tattoo with The Tree of Life as a sister Tattoo. Dodge was open and supportive to our idea! He Has a GREAT touch,sensitive and encouraging. With multiple tattoos,Dodge is the Best Tattoo Artist I have met!!Can't wait to see my sister's in the future!! More than Happy!!!! Read Less

Kasha  was amazing , she took her time when it came to designing my tattoo .  She had a light touch and really took her time with tattooing  . I'm so happy with her work , I so will be going back for another one soon !! Read Less

I was extremely skeptical with the reviews of Dodges light hands, and easy touch. Before a session with work getting done in a known sensitive area, I was getting in my zone to prepare for pain . I was shocked and  amazed when Dodge started, and I understood that indeed, all the other reviews were not bullshit, Dodge indeed has a light touch. Not only was I pleased that I was not getting torn up, but my piece was exactly what I wanted, the lines are crisp, and the black is solid. I have been to 4 other shops on this island and Koi tattoo has been the best. I regret not coming here sooner. Read Less

best tattoo shop in Kailua hands down. Lisa tattooed my knee cap and absolutely nailed the piece. she made sure I was comfortable the whole time. I've also been tattooed by Dodge and he's just as incredible! As I said before, best shop in Kailua. Read Less

I am so thankful that I chose Lisa at Koi to do my first tattoo.  Lisa took my idea and made it unique and ideal for what I wanted.  From my call to schedule my consultation to the first ink in the skin to the aftercare instructions, Lisa made me feel comfortable and welcome.  I am thrilled with how my tattoo turned out, clean lines, great shading and solid color.  I definitely would recommend Koi Tattoo to anyone and will come back when I'm ready for my second tattoo!  Thanks Lisa, I love it! ~Mark Read Less

Dodge did a piece on my back of Angel & Demon Wings in 2010. Incredible, humble dude. Talented artist in many forms. I was able to be a small part of his living collection. At that time when I lived in Hawaii he did a live freestyle painting during a Nas performance! 5 years later & I still love the work. Read Less

I needed some work on an unfinished, and unsatisfying tattoo. I was happy that Lisa was willing to finish up an existing piece. I knew she was an established and well known artist, and yet she was happy to help me out.I found her to be reserved at first in conversation, but once we both were comfortable, she was very sweet. While she is obviously focused, and very serious about what she is doing, I found her pleasant in every respect. She was very clean and professional, she worked on me for a very long time and listened closely to all of my wishes for the tattoo. It's a large back piece so I had two long sittings with her. She completely transformed my piece into something I love and am proud to show off. I would highly recommend Lisa and Koi Tattoo to anyone who wants to walk away with a one of a kind masterpiece!!Thank you, Lisa! Read Less

Koi tattoo hawaii in my mind the best place on the Eastside of the island to get a tattoo . I've never had a bad experience.  Lisa and Dodge are very talented artists with over 35 years experience. All their work is custom. You just can't go in and pick something off the wall. This is all CUSTOM. Lisa and Dodge are very flexible and friendly. I came in with a idea and Lisa came up with a great design., and I went with it. I have a full sleeve and it looks great. Read Less

Dodge and Lisa both are such talented artists! I will never go to anyone else. They definitely deliver amazing quality work every time. Lisa has done all of my tattoos so far and I am constantly getting compliments on them. She is extremely accommodating and went above and beyond to design my tattoos. Even when I was picky and wanted to change things last minute, she had no problem redrawing the ideas for me. She allows me to choose when I need a break and is always making sure that I am comfortable. Koi tattoo is the only shop I will go to and recommend them to anyone who is looking for the highest of quality in tattoos. We've bought art from Dodge and are planning on buying more. They both are so talented and down to earth. love love love them! Read Less

Go see Dodge. Fantastic artist. I had a general sense of what I wanted (newborn daughter's name on my forearm w/ scroll and scorpio symbol), and he came back with a SICK design. The depth of his shading is incredible...really brings it to life. Cool as shit to talk to while he works. He's your man on the island. Read Less

I got a mountain scene done by Dodge while visiting a friend stationed in Hawaii. I was so pleased with the whole experience. It was my first tattoo and was done a bit spontaneously. Dodge made time for me on a minute's notice, he listened to my ideas and also added his own touch, he calmed me down when I got nervous and was just so calming and fantastic. Once back home in Minnesota, I told my husband and friends that I would literally fly back to him in Hawaii if I ever wanted another tattoo. Told the hubby if he ever wants one we will have to vacation in Kailua to get his work done. Can't recommend Dodge any more highly!! Read Less

Dodge and Lisa are so nice and great artists. I wanted to get my second tattoo done after a lot of thought about what I wanted. I took my specific ideas to Dodge and he put them all together into a beautiful tattoo. He has such a light touch while he tattoos, I was comfortable the whole time. If you are looking for a place to get a great tattoo by an amazing artist this is the place to go. I couldn't be happier with my tattoo! Read Less

I had a tattoo I regretted getting that I had done when I was 18 and Dodge covered it with a gorgeous Hibiscus blossom that I love and wish I had gotten in the first place. He also did the Hawaiian Islands chain for me which is my favorite of my five tattoos. I recommend him to anyone, but especially to those who have a love for the islands as greatly as I do. Read Less

I am so late writing this - but Dodge at Koi tattoo deserves a rave review. Dodge isn't the type to do touristy tats - so you better be serious and have a thoughtful idea of what you want.  He is a local artist and takes a lot of pride in that. I was able to chat with him with what I wanted and two days later came back to an awesome sketch. I loved it so much I changed my mind from it going on my back to my bicep. That area is known for being so painful that macho of men have told me they cried like a baby getting a tat there - but I gotta say - Dodge has such a light hand it wasn't bad at all.  I have five other  tattoos so I know what to expect - and it was not any where near as painful as I expected. Even before we got started he let me take as long as I needed to make sure I had it in the perfect place on my arm - while giving me his honest feedback.The whole process was great and Dodge is a fun artist to shoot the shit with while you are trying to ignore the crazy pain. He's fun, nice and chatty. As someone who was a total tourist - I am so lucky to have gotten work done my Dodge. I am pretty sure while this is not my biggest tattoo - it's my most expensive.  And every time I look at I know it is worth every damn penny. Read Less

Dodge and Lisa do great work.  My younger brother went to Dodge and he did superb work.  I had back work done about two years ago with Lisa. She recreated my vision superbly. Recently I went to Dodge as I could only get tatts on a certain day and Dodge was available. Dodge is very chill and cool. I highly suggest both Lisa and Dodge.Know that they do not accept credit cards. Cash only. The quality of their work is very high and they listen to you and what you want. They are both easy going and they do not make you feel intimidated. I like that.I highly suggest both of them. Both of them are masters at what they do. I drive all the way from the East Si' to Kailua just get work done at Koi Tattoo. They are that good. I'm very pleased. I highly suggest!I will be back again :) Read Less

I had a back piece done by Lisa. She is exceptionally talented. She is patient and has a soft hand, but still somehow works really fast. I uploaded a pic of what she came up with for me. You can't tell by looking but it is a cover. She is a gifted artist and if you let her, she can blow your mind with what she comes up with!  Couldn't recommend her more! Read Less

Both my husband and I have gotten tattooed by Dodge. He is freakin' awesome! We were recommended to him by a lot of my husband's friends and we're really glad we listened.I got my first tattoo in February of this year, 2011. I had my appointment right after my husband had his. I was obviously incredibly apprehensive about the whole tattoo thing (you'd think being 22 I wouldn't hear my mom in the back of my head) but Dodge was very reassuring and made me feel as comfortable as possible.I said after my first tattoo that it was going to be my first and last. Well.. after my most recent appointment with Dodge in August, I have FOUR (he's also tattooed my husband twice). I love every single one of my tattoos! We just moved back to the mainland and there's really no other person I trust to tattoo me. I'm more than likely going to wait until we visit again in 2 years to get something else done! Read Less

Just finished a piece with Lisa, could not be happier. The customization, attention to detail were great and the tattoo is awesome. The shop and the atmosphere were beyond compare. A friend of mine summed up area tattoo studios as follows: "on windward side you have the studios that want to be LA Ink and focus on drama rather than the tattoo and you have biker tattoo parlors. Then there is Koi tattoo. Go to Koi.". I haven't been to the other shops so I can't personally validate the first part, but the last bit is spot on. Very relaxed atmosphere, good energy, and two wonderful, chill artists. I will follow in my friend's footsteps and HIGHLY recommend Koi to anyone looking for work on windward Oahu. Read Less

Lisa helped make a longtime vision of mine come to fruition.  She's spiritual, kind, laid back and easy-going, and the word "talented" does not begin to describe her gifts.  Mahalo Lisa.  You're awesome.  Malama pono, Pua Read Less

Everyone's raving about Dodges work, which I agree is fantastic, but no one's given props to Lisa yet!!! She's the most fantastic artist I've ever seen! I LOVE HER! Her work is so great, I keep going back time and time again. I recently started a pretty huge back piece with Lisa, a peacock, and her sketches blew me away. Above and beyond the farthest reaches of my imagination. I feel like her work is so feminine and flows so beautifully with the contours of the body. I have since referred her to several of my friends and anyone who asks me where I get my work done, and believe me, when people see her work I ALWAYS get approached and complimented. I gave Lisa a picture of the type of peacock i wanted to go with, a henna-ish, asian type of influence. The picture I showed her had incorporated cherryblossoms, which I felt was a little too cliche for my tastes, so I asked her to replace them with peony flowers. At first she was a little skeptical, and told me that it might not work with the style of bird. But she worked tirelessly and eventually sketched up something PERFECT for me, exactly what I wanted and exactly what the vision was in my head. Actually, it was a thousand times BETTER than what I had in my head. She's really awesome, and will tell you if something just doesn't quite mesh well in your design so that you end up with something that you love and that you will CONTINUE to love for the rest of your life. After all, it'll be a piece of who you are forever so you should really go with an artist you're comfortable with that will give you  something perfect. Her pricing for the quality of work she does is also very fair. You might end up paying more than you originally plan on, but believe me, when the product is finished, you'll be glad you went to Lisa.**edit: her work is feminine IF that's what you're looking for. I wanted something womanly being a woman, but I've seen her work on several men, and it blew me away as well. I couldn't believe that Lisa had done it! Her style is so diverse from polynesian to asian arts and everything in between. She is literally a tattooing superhero. Read Less

I have to agree Dodge is awesome. I had never gotten a tattoo but after my husband got some work done by him...I changed my mind. So on our next trip to Hawaii it was my turn. Why I got my first tat on my ribs I'll never know. While it was painful, Dodge made the experience worth my while for sure. He was as gentle as he could be and you could tell he genuinely cared how you were doing. Even at the toughest times, Dodge said "tomorrow you'll look at it, say you love it, and not hate me anymore". With his sincere chuckle I made it through and did just that. I love it and want to go back for another. I don't know who I'd trust on the mainland. Tip: if you're on vacation get inked near the end. Otherwise, you may miss out on some ocean/pool time. Even so...it's be worth it! Read Less

Hands down the best ink experience I've ever had, and that's coming from someone with 14 tatts.  I was referred to Dodge (the owner and main artist of the two that work there) by someone I randomly met on vacation.  She was adamant that if I was going to be getting a piece done while on Oahu I shouldn't even consider anyone other than Dodge, and damn I'm glad I listened to her.From the moment I walked into his shop and shook Dodge's hand I could tell that he had the right energy and skill to do the piece I wanted.  Plus, the fact that he knew of Ralph Steadman and HST and was stoked to do a Steadman piece made me feel even more comfortable because the piece, and HST specifically, has so much meaning to me.  I explained a few things about how I wanted the design to look, left him a few pictures to sketch from, and made an appointment for later in the week.As usual when I'm about to permanently alter my body, I woke up the morning of my appointment a little nervous, but when I arrived at the shop the good vibes took over and I immediately felt at ease.  There were some good tunes playing, we had the shop to ourselves and I was eager to get inked.  Not only did the piece turn out perfect, but Dodge has a 'soft hand', as it were, and I really didn't feel more than minor irritation during the session.  Granted, I've got multiple pieces on my ribs, back and inner biceps (this one was on my outer bicep), so I'm used to a lot of pain, but I get the feeling that any piece that Dodge does will be a little less painful no matter where it goes on your body.  Good tattoo artists have a way of doing that, and trust me, it's something to be grateful for when it happens because I've had some where I seriously felt like I was being punished.Anyway, Koi Tattoo is a fantastic place to get some work done.  The $150 per hour rates are pretty heavy, but with ink you definitely get what you pay for.  And Dodge works very efficiently (no cigarette breaks, interruptions to take/make phone calls, etc.), so you can rest assured that whatever you get done will take the minimum amount of time possible. Read Less