For those who aspire to carry a traditional or modern Samoan tattoo on their bodies, there is a new tattoo shop in town. Sulu’ape RiccyBoy Lamositele Novera Jr. — who is of Samoan/ Filipino descent — along with his wife Lilia Fonoimoana Novera, now have another location to add to their Hawai’i-based Polynesian Tattoo Factory, they are opening in American Samoa a studio — located at Two Dollar Beach.

“Back in 1989 when I was thirteen years old, I did my first tattoo. Right after Hurricane Val we came to Samoa and that's when I really starting to get into cultural tattoos,” he said.

The tattoo artist stated that when he was about 16 years old, he along with other locals at the time, helped pioneer the Neo-Polynesian/ Modern Style Polynesian artwork. He has been tattooing for almost 25 years, and is the owner of the world famous Polynesian Tattoo Factory in Haleiwa, Hawai’i. This year, he says, he is on a world tour showcasing his work.

“Last year I received my honorific title of Sulu’ape as a Tufuga Ta Tatau. So now, I can serve my people — our people — of American Samoa as a tattoo artist. I am very honored to serve our people. As a handicapped man, this is perfect work for me,” he said. “At my shop in Hawai’i, I am a very expensive tattoo artist there. Half Sleeves are $1,000 to $1,200 in Hawai’i. Here in Samoa, I know my people cannot afford that much. I don't want to hurt them by charging them that much. Here, I provide a world class experience of tattooing, but I charge them very cheap. It is my duty as a Sulu’ape chief to give back to my people,” he explained.

 Sulu’ape RiccyBoy said that he has all of the licenses and certifications. “My goal is to provide top-notch quality of work for our people of American Samoa.”

You can see some of his work on professional athletes such as Manti Te’o of the National Football League’s San Diego Chargers and former Indianapolis Colts player Samson Satele, along with Brazilian Professional Surfer Pato Teixeira among others. He invites you to visit his Polynesian Tattoo Factory Facebook page or follow him on Instagram at: riccyboy_tatau.