Things We Love: Hawaii Artists

1. I love how artist Kris Goto’s style stay so whimsical. One of her most iconic prints is of one surfer girl eating Spam musubi WHILE surfing! Goto spent time living in Japan and Hong Kong before coming to Hawaii. She’s now been here longer than anywhere else. Through her work she wishes to “find gratitude in the most simplest joys the islands allow us to experience.”

I tink these cork coasters should make you doubly happy. First, da flowery art on ’em should bring one smile to your face. Second, you going be happy cuz da coasters going help keep your good table from coming all junk. The set of four beautiful coasters is $23 and only get ’em at krisgoto.com.

2. Da artist and founder of Mistprint, Mistee Uyehara loves food, farming and puns. She says she been fortunate cuz she’s been able for farm and it’s given her “a whole new field (pun intended) of connection to have the chance to help take care of the land.”

This “You Are Poifect” enamel pin, get ’em at Mori by Art + Flea at South Shore Market, costs $12. Hey Mistee, Mistee, Mistee, your pin, looks pretty SHARP, brah! Lol. Artist website: etsy.com/shop/mistprint.

3. Shar Tuiasoa, da artist behind da Punky Aloha brand, emphasizes how she wishes for empower people, “Punky Aloha is an attitude. It’s being your own person, even if it’s going against the grain, even if it’s loud.”

Lotta her work get bold graphics featuring strong Polynesian women who get one playful side too. This particularly stylish shave ice bag is sold exclusively at Lei Palm at Ala Moana Center and costs $88.99. It’s one large (14-by-16-by- 7 inches), structured, canvas tote with magnetic closure. I gotta say, I do feel empowered when I am asked to carry this bag. It’s so big and my wife can pack so much stuff in it that I feel quite POWERFUL when I gotta carry ’em! Artist website: punkyaloha.com.

4. Stephen Koa is da talented artist behind Kava Roots. I wuz curious if he wuz influenced by da great Hawaiian artist Herb Kane and turns out he wuz! What Koa loves best about Kane’s work is how Kane painted “those human details that completely destroy all stereotypes placed on our (Hawaiian) culture.”

What I love best about Koa’s art is how it challenges da viewer. For this men’s T-shirt ($35) I found at Homegrown at Pearlridge, I asked Koa wassup with da birds. He said, “The birds represent the alii regalia, how honored it was to have and to wear during ceremonies and times of war, and to remember the mana put into the gathering and creation process. The chief’s expression depicts him remembering the source. It’s open-ended to lead the viewer to ask, “‘What is the source?’ and, ‘How far back does it go?’” Whoa! Artist website: kavarootsintl.com.

5. This is one sleek, vacuum-sealed, 40-ounce thermos ($44) with artist Danielle Groff’s artwork printed directly on ’em. This particular piece is called “Ahi Fever,” but she get oddah fish and ocean-inspired designs available too. Available at Pictures Plus Prints at Ka Makana Ali’i in Kapolei. So hot nowdays and seems like everybody in Hawaii carries around one water bottle. No be caught without one or you’ll stand out like … one fish outta water! Artist website: paintyourparadise.com.

Wat you stay loving? No forget da featured products might stay in short supply and maybe no more ’em available at da store locations; prices may stay varying, too. Try tell us what you stay loving this week by emailing creilly@staradvertiser.com.