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Polynesian Tattoo Factory sets standard for award-winning body art

If you’re looking to get inked up by a world class, award winning tattoo artist, head over to $2 Beach in Avaio and set an appointment with Suluape Riccy Boy Lamositele Novera Jr., owner of the world famous Polynesian Tattoo Factory in Haleiwa, Hawaii. Whether it’s a tauvae, taulima, sleeve, or even a traditional tatau or malu, Suluape Riccy can do it all.

 

On August 1, 2013, Riccy Boy became a matai (Samoan chief) after an eight-year apprenticeship in Samoan tattoo art. His teacher, High Chief, Grand Master Tattooist Tufuga Ta Tatau Su’a Suluape Petelo Alaiva’a, held a saofa’i for Riccy to bestow on him the Suluape title.

 

Suluape Riccy’s resume stretches back nearly 25 years, when he was a youngster armed with his first tattoo machine and excited to display his creativity on people’s bodies. At 16 years old, he and other locals helped pioneer the Neo-Polynesian/Modern Style Polynesian artwork. A native of Avaio and of Samoan, Filipino, and German descent, Riccy has been tattooing alongside world famous artists for years, including Freddy Negrete, one of the top three tattoo artists in the world today.

 

Riccy was also invited to compete on Ink Master - a nationally televised tattoo competition show that airs weekly on Spike TV - but he turned it down twice. “This is not something that I think I should use to gain popularity or make money off of,” he said. “My skill as a tattoo artist is something that I want to share with people, but not in a competition format.”

 

Riccy and his work have been featured in different books and magazines. This year, accompanied by his wife Lilia and their two sons, he is on a world tour showcasing his work and his first stop: his homeland, American Samoa where he will be setting up shop for the next twelve months at $2 Beach in Avaio.

 

Riccy’s work can be seen on professional athletes like football superstar Manti Te’o of the San Diego Chargers, former Indianapolis Colts player Samson Satele, and US women’s soccer team Olympic gold medalist Natasha Kai.

 

Riccy invites everyone to visit his Polynesian Tattoo Factory Facebook page or follow him on Instagram at: riccyboy_tatau.

 

Call 252-4304 or stop by $2 Beach from 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Walk-ins are welcome.