BILLY
WHITNEY
I was born in Okinawa Japan, where I lived until I was 15 years old. My father moved me to Hawaii where I graduated from Mililani High. After living my whole adult life here I can’t imagine living anywhere else but the islands.
I did my first tattoo in 1998. I pretty much sucked until a guy named Jesse Perrin sat me down and showed me all the ins and outs of tattooing. He taught me how to make needles, how to properly tune a machine, and most of the basics of tattooing that allowed me to grow into the artist I am today.
Late into the year of 2000 I started working for a guy named Shane Harvey at a shop called Gunpoint. Shane provided me with a great environment to work in and gave me the freedom to further develop my own style. After a couple of years I realized I wanted to be a custom tattoo artist and as much as I loved working with everyone at Gunpoint (well everyone but one); the street shop atmosphere just wasn’t challenging enough for me anymore.
After leaving Gunpoint I spent a while in Japan and worked at Coko’s Tattoo where Mako, Ken and Hiro took me in like a son and for that I will always be grateful. They also shared with me their knowledge and expertise in regards to Asian art and tattoos. I learned more than I could've ever imagined! After returning from Japan, Brian Takishita (from Gunpoint) and myself decided to open up 808 Tattoo. We are striving to make this shop a comfortable custom tattoo parlor for serious collectors, as well as for those who see tattoos as true artwork.
Just to set the record straight, for some reason there are some people who claimed to have taught me how to tattoo, but if they are not mentioned in this little bio then they are full of shit. I guess I should be flattered that someone else’s claim to fame is teaching me how to tattoo.
Aloha,
Billy