NĀ KOA Celebrates 11 Years of Polynesian Tattoo Art on Leather

From three artists to sixteen: Hawaii brand marks the anniversary of its first leather wallet collection

MILILANI, Hawaii, Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- NĀ KOA®, the Hawaii-based line of leather goods with authentic Polynesian tattoo art (www.nakoa.com), is celebrating its 11th anniversary. In 2015, the brand introduced a small collection of men's bifold wallets and credit card holders carrying designs by three Polynesian tattoo artists. Eleven years later, 16 tattoo artists from across the Pacific have created original art for the line.

"When we started, I didn't know whether tattoo artists would trust a small company with something as culturally important as their art," says Andrea Butter, founder of NĀ KOA and owner of Patch of Shade, Inc. "Every artist who joined us since has trusted us with their heritage, and that is what we celebrate."

Every NĀ KOA artist is a practicing tattoo artist with deep roots in their own Maori, Tahitian, Samoan or, of course, Hawaiian heritage, and each design carries the traditions and meanings of that culture.

Among the notable contributors is Tricia Allen, one of a handful of people credited with reviving traditional tattooing throughout the Pacific Islands.

NĀ KOA is also honored to carry designs by three Samoan artists who hold the title Sulu'ape, conferred by the Sulu'ape family, one of the two legendary families of Samoan tatau masters. Every artist and their story is featured at nakoa.com/meet-the-artists.

Quality is at the heart of the line. Every piece is handcrafted from premium leather, and each tattoo design is applied by hand using a proprietary process that keeps the art durable while preserving the feel of genuine leather. Nearly 1000 customer reviews on nakoa.com give NĀ KOA an average rating of 4.78 stars.

Many customers say what they value most is seeing their own culture honored and their heritage represented truthfully. "Such high quality and beautiful art work. We love it more because it's true to the Polynesian culture," one customer wrote in a review on nakoa.com. Another wrote: "Love this wallet, the small things that show off our proud heritage is always a blessing."

About NĀ KOA
The NĀ KOA line of leather accessories with Polynesian tattoo art was launched in 2015 as a labor of love by Patch of Shade, Inc. owner Andrea Butter. Today its wallets, card holders, cuff bracelets and bags carry art by 16 award-winning tattoo artists with Hawaiian, Maori, Marquesan, Tahitian and Samoan backgrounds and training. Part of its profits support Project Hawaii, Inc., which helps Hawaii's homeless keiki.

NĀ KOA products are available at www.nakoa.com, in stores across Hawaii that offer Hawaiian and Pacific cultural products, and in stores serving Pacific Islander communities on the U.S. mainland.

Contact Information
Andrea Butter, Patch of Shade, Inc.
Tel: 808-757-9027
Email: [email protected]
www.nakoa.com • www.facebook.com/Nakoaleather • www.instagram.com/nakoaleather

SOURCE NĀ KOA