Our Story

A man met a woman in the Hawaiian islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, just about 7 years ago now.  During their first encounter, they were at a party and together made a salad into a mandala.  Something special, besides the delicious salad, was created.  Later, the woman, being an entrepreneur her whole life, said to the man, "You are very good at tattooing, you should open your own shop and be your own boss".  

As time went on, the couple were blessed with a child, right before the world shifted in 2020.  With the couple becoming busy with a baby, navigating through the wild times of 2020-2022, and the woman, even having to overcome cancer during this time, the goal of opening a tattoo shop in the Hawaii Kai area of the island took a back seat.  It was not going to be an easy feat, as there have never been a tattoo shop in Hawaii Kai before and one commercial leasing agent even laughed at the couple at the thought of one opening in their quiet community.  

Through a roller coaster of trials and perseverance, the man and the woman forged ahead, working little by little towards their goal.  They looked at many spaces hoping for the right fit for their tattoo studio, even in other parts of the island, but their hearts always returned to Hawaii Kai.  Early on, they almost signed on one space in particular, but decided not to turn in the lease agreement after all.  They realized the space was extremely difficult for customers to find the entrance.  To get to the space, one would need to go down the street, into an entrance of the building almost in the basement, go upstairs, and walk all the way back to the very other end of the building to find the entrance to this space.  The man and the woman marveled at what a labyrinth it was and while disappointed, accepted this was not the right space as customers would have a difficult time and give up.  

However, the name 

TATTOO LABYRINTH 

was born.

A labyrinth embodies the complex journey of life, representing the intricate paths we navigate through its ups and downs.  Unlike a maze, which is intended to confuse and make you lost, a labyrinth has a single, unambiguous route designed to be walked as a form of meditation or spiritual quest.  It symbolizes the search for meaning and truth, the journey to the inner self, and the challenges we face along our path.  The labyrinth serves as a reminder that although life's journey may be complicated, there is always a purposeful path leading to discovery and enlightenment.  If you want to walk a labyrinth and meditate, the nearest one around here is in Kapalua, Maui.

TATTOO LABYRINTH serves those who are on such paths, and as with the tattoo ceremony, there is only one way in and the same way out.  

You will not be the same again through your transformation.  

Drew Ray was born at a very young age in a small town in Ohio State.  After exploring many paths, including becoming a therapist for troubled youths and a vegan chef, Drew decided to focus on the one thing he loved doing most, tattooing.  After many years of tattooing and tours around the world, Drew decided to move to Hawaii, where he met Karen and created a family.  Drew now enjoys life at Tattoo Labyrinth cultivating his love of art and enjoying the sun, the ocean, the honus, and tidepools at Kaionas, Sherwoods, and Sandys, his favorite beaches, with Karen and their 5 year old daughter Sophia and their three, yes three, rottweilers, 

Lucy, Linus, and Violet.

Karen was raised from the age of  8 years old in the city of Honolulu and graduated from McKinley High School and the University of Hawaii at Manoa with a business degree, and has been a Hawaii Kai resident for over 35 years.  Karen operates her own accounting and tax business helping local businesses and charitable organizations, from starting up, to preparing and analyzing financial data, employee and payroll tasks, and tax preparation.  Karen now enjoys life at Tattoo Labyrinth providing support and assistance with just about anything that Drew needs help with at the shop, and loves spending time at the beach with Drew, Sophia, Lucy, Linus, and Violet.  Karen also finds enjoyment being Sophia's mom, personal chef, chauffeur, housekeeper, and butler.

Sophia was born in Hawaii just before the world went a little crazy in 2020.  Sophia is a God loving curious child and loves being a rottie trainer, a ballet dancer, a lover of food, the ocean, pool and beach parties, gymnastics, magnet tiles, and Legos.  Incredibly, Sophia did her first tattoo when she was just 5 years old when Drew and Karen received the keys to Tattoo Labyrinth.  She tattooed Drew's finger.  The design:  a single dot. 

More to come soon on our other artists!