How Monarch Tattoo Hawaii Began: Building a Tattoo Studio in Hauula, Oahu

When Laura and Mike Naylor opened Monarch Tattoo Hawaii in March 2012, the goal wasn't just to create another tattoo shop on Oahu—it was to build a studio that reflected their values, creativity, and love for the community they called home.

Before opening Monarch Tattoo, Laura had already spent years tattooing professionally, apprenticing under Suluʻape Riccy Boy at the Polynesian Tattoo Factory in Hauʻula before working at a well-known tattoo studio in Kailua. Mike was working for the State of Hawaii after a career in the arts and education, making for long commutes and even longer workdays for both of them.

As life often does, a series of unexpected opportunities led them to consider opening their own tattoo studio. Many people thought they were taking a risk by choosing Hauula instead of Honolulu or Waikiki, but for Mike and Laura, the decision was easy. They wanted to create a welcoming, custom tattoo studio close to home where clients could enjoy a relaxed atmosphere away from the city's crowds.

More than a decade later, Monarch Tattoo Hawaii has become a trusted destination for custom tattoos on Oahu's North Shore. The husband-and-wife team specializes in large-scale custom work, including Polynesian-inspired tattoos, floral designs, black and grey realism, color tattoos, cover-ups, and scar camouflage tattoos. Every tattoo is thoughtfully designed to fit each client's body, story, and vision.

Looking back, opening a tattoo shop in Hauula wasn't the crazy idea some people thought it was—it was exactly where Monarch Tattoo Hawaii was meant to be. Today, the studio proudly welcomes both Hawaii residents and visitors looking for meaningful, one-of-a-kind tattoos in one of the most beautiful locations on Oahu.