LOCAL ARTISTS
Aaron Hazouri is a teacher, illustrator, and fan artist. His work includes children’s books, comics, and toy design. Recently he joined NECA full time as one of their in-house artists, creating concept art; packaging art; and contributing to their various Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles toy lines.
Aaron Hazouri
An Illustrator and concept designer from Hawaii, he has been working in the tabletop and video game industries for over 20 years, helping companies and individuals express themselves and their stories. Born and raised on Maui, his experience ranges from smaller, more intimate indie endeavors to projects from global entertainment leaders, working for clients such as Stone Blade Entertainment, White Wolf Publishing, and Warner Bros. Interactive. As a life-long fan of comics and games himself, he is currently working on his own fantasy comic and card game aside from doing concept design work for a new, upcoming video game studio.
Aaron Nakahara
Andrew Farago is the curator of San Francisco's Cartoon Art Museum. His writing credits include The Looney Tunes Treasury, Batman: The Definitive History of The Dark Knight, and the Harvey Award-winning Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Ultimate Visual History. Farago received the prestigious Inkpot Award from Comic-Con International in 2015. He lives in California with his wife, cartoonist Shaenon K. Garrity, and their son, Robin.
Andrew Farago
Art Wong was born in Hong Kong and moved to Hawaii in 1989. From an early age he loved cartoons and comics, especially Doraemon and He-Man (if you don’t know, look them up.) Art graduated from Castle High School and went on to get two degrees from UH Manoa. Later, he returned to Manoa to earn a post baccalaureate in secondary education Art.
As a high school art teacher his students all call him Wong... as he will tell you, “You are at the Wong place at the Wong time” when you enter his room. Art has done video editing for local companies and design work. His favorite mediums are Red pencil, paper, Sharpies,and as of recently acrylic paint.
After years of reading comics and teaching students to create comics; Art finally decided to create his own. With much motivation from his students, friends and family, he finished his first comic, The Keepers #⅓.
Art Wong
B. Miyo is an alias for Maui born and raised illustrator Bailey Onaga. B. Miyo is a combination of her first initial, as well as her middle name "Miyoko," shortened to what sounds like 微妙 or "subtle" in Japanese.
Bailey's array of products includes apparel, accessories, and stationery goods featuring original artwork with a “Hawaii Kawaii” vibe. Her work pays homage to “Slice of Life Kine Tingz": the simple aspects of life that are often overlooked as ordinary, and what makes living in Hawaiʻi so unique.
Outside of freelancing, Bailey also works as a Studio Assistant and teacher at Sabado Studios in Wailuku, Maui.
B. Miyo
Bad Hare Press is an art and publishing project aiming to make the world a little more weird. Our work is inspired by punk and DIY ethos, queer horror, and local culture. All art made with love by Maui-raised artist and creature-of-sorts Parker Breman. Come stop by and say howzit, or follow us @badharepress!
Bad Hare Press
Aloha my name is Benjamen Christ. Growing up in the country, with no TV for entertainment, I fell in love with comics at an early age. This is where I learned to read and draw.
I would like to take my love of comics/movies and my passion for drawing/painting to share something exciting and beautiful with you all! Mahalo
Benjamin Christ
Brady Evans is an illustrator, concept artist, and comic book artist born, raised, and currently based in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. He received a BFA from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in 2012 and has been working as a freelance artist for over 15 years. He is active as an illustrator in the worlds of book covers, table top and video games, children’s books, album covers, and magazines. Recent projects include a collaboration with Bungie for Destiny 2, and commissions from Critical Role, Honda Racing Corporation, Pahdo Labs and Seven-11 Hawaiʻi. His work has been featured in ImagineFX Magazine and The Comics Journal.
In 2023 he released his first collection of short story comics “The Speaking Stones and Other Stories” bringing together twelve works written and drawn over the course of a decade.
When not hunched over a drawing tablet you can usually find him listening to history-themed podcasts or hogging the mic at karaoke parties with friends.
Brady Evans
Aloha! I'm Catty, real name Elyssa, and I've been an artist since I can remember, which was at a pretty young age. Proudly working with virtual Brony projects such as Ponies Online and Rave House of Belles, my art expresses any and all! Mostly drawing cute colorful ponies, I can also draw people, creatures, animals and monsters of all kinds!
Catty the Art Cat
My name is Chris Ventura or CeeVee for short 😁. I’m an Artist/Designer operating out of Aiea, Hawaii. My art reflects my immense love for the Tokusatsu genre which includes Super Sentai (adapted in the west as “Power Rangers”) and Kamen Rider. I’ve grown up on anime and comics as well, with an affinity for Dragonball and Naruto. I’ve done work with a handful of Power Ranger actors and travel across the country to vend at various conventions.
CeeVee
Conny Jolitz is an established graphic designer living in Hawaii and has design portfolio including over two decades of Harley-Davidson, Hello Kitty, Duke’s, Hawaii Public Radio, Hawaiian Style,
Localmotion, T&C Hawaii and In4mation, Get Nutz, Pipedreams Surf Co artwork. Her comic work since 2020 includes pinups and covers for indie creators & Kickstarter projects, as well as commissions and interior work on her own book.
Born in Berlin, Germany and living in Hawaii she has a passion for Euro comics and graphic novels and her creative comics projects include pinups & variant cover work for: Mayhem Productions, Belial 3, The Hexing, Glarien White Ash, as well as interior page work for Dracula 1944 and her own book “Simple Bare Necessities”.
Conny Jolitz
DJ Keawekane is a Hawaii-based author, artist and head pastor of Ke Ola Mau Loa Church in Waimea Hawaii. He runs @firstwatchstudios a small press that publishes any and all comics that DJ feels passionate about and currently he is really feeling the sword and sorcery fantasy genre, but also has some sci-fi comics coming out later. DJ has done art for Spy6teen, Island Tales Comics, and Mana Comics where he was the main artist for the famous Kamehameha graphic novel. That is where he got his first taste for crowdfunding launches, and his own personal Kickstarter Exillion: Creed of the Knightenhawke was a great success! Stay tuned for future launches! You can follow him across social media @djkeawekane or @firstwatchstudios at IG, FB, and Twitter
DJ Keawekane
Mainland born, island living cartoonist and comics enthusiast. I love making comics as much as I love reading comics which is to say a whole lot! My comics tend to lean on the silly side of monsters and mad science with a dash of eldritch horror and pulp adventure.
Drew Gutierrez
Dwayne A. Acoba (Champloo) was born on Oahu, Hawaii. From a young age, he was a fan of cartoons and in the 80's was a graffiti artist. After graduating from St. Louis High School with a scholarship in Art, he attended The Art Institute of Seattle graduating in illustration and design. Upon his return to Hawaii, he worked for graphic companies doing advertising and editorial work by hand, as the industry was not yet Digital. For 9 years, he has attended Emerald City Comic Con in Seattle as a fan and artist. In his free time, he enjoys drawing, playing guitar, going to movies, eating local grindz, hanging out with his Art family at coffee shops and going to his favorite comic shops. 2017 in collaboration with Garma Graphic Design, Paua Haus Comics and Mahaloha; "M" is his first comic creation. You can find him at 'Cons in Hawaii under "Art Champloo"
Instagram- art_champloo
Dwayne Acoba
Empower'd is a grassroots youth network for LGBT+ teens and young adults across Maui Nui. We host bimonthly social events where youth can socialize and build important life skills, as well as an online community platform to hang out in and find support.
All art sold at our booth (chainmaille, crochet, buttons, and even more fun crafts!) were made by the young folks in our program. 50% of your purchase goes directly to the artist, the other 50% (and all donations) fund our programs and services that we provide the community! https://linktr.ee/empowerdmaui // @EmpowerdMaui on Instagram
Empower'd Maui Youth Network
Hi! I’m GothGyaru, you can find me at the Artist Hales at this year’s Maui Comic Con! I sell stickers, prints, posters, and keychains all drawn by me.
Gothgyaru
Just a small artist making cute little art.
Halo Kawaii
Shane Molina is a professional concept artist and Illustrator based in Hilo, Hawaii. His artwork reaches deep within the industry and all over the world. His recent works are found in the all-new Disney's "Planet of the Apes RPG" by Magnetic Press PLAY and West End Games. You can also see Shane's latest published artwork in "The Black Box Chronicles" and "Design Space - The Black Box Chronicles" by Horrible Future and Magnetic Press Publishing. He is currently working for Fantasy Flight Games and Lucasfilm on an upcoming Star Wars TCG set that will be released later next year. If you're ever in Downtown Hilo, you can stop by his open studio/shop and enjoy the great detail within the world of Shane's Artwork!
Hawaiian Mako Design
Born and raised in Hawaii, Lahela Schoessler spent her childhood drawing and exploring the ocean and forests. At the age of eleven, her grandfather took the family to Disneyworld and during this trip Lahela discovered the beauty of animation. It was there that she realized what she wanted to be when she grew up. She graduated from Ringling College of Art + Design and realized that as an animator, she really didn’t have to grow up.
Lahela got her break in the animation industry at Laika House. In addition to game cinematics, she worked on projects with Mini Wheats, Honey Nut Cheerios and M&Ms. Lahela then made her way back to the place that started it all. During her almost 10 years at Disney, she collaborated on Disney’s Epic Mickey franchise and was able to fulfill another childhood dream of working with Marvel characters on Marvel’s Avenger’s Alliance 2. Most recently, Lahela helped to realize a brand new IP, Final Strike Games’ Rocket Arena. As the lead animator of this project, Lahela had the opportunity to be involved in character creation from the ground up and every one of those characters hold a special place in her heart. She is currently working at Probably Monsters on an unannounced project.
When she is not bringing things to life and playing digital puppet master, Lahela is trying her best to survive parenthood. (It isn’t easy being the mother of The Dark Lord.) In the evenings she is usually painting and working on her graphic novel project set in Hawaii.
Helabella (Lahela Schoessler)
Jillian Ikehara is an AAPI illustrator from Maui, Hawai’i, with a BFA in Illustration from California College of the Arts in San Francisco. She is passionate about visual storytelling, comics, and character design work, especially those inspired by her Hawaiian culture and her experiences growing up in Hawai’i.
Her work aims to not only express her own creative ideas and stories, but to present natural and authentic stories about the Hawaiian Islands, its history, its culture, and its people, old and new.
JIllian Ikehara
Originally from Lana’i City, Jimmy “Sparrow” Ishizaki is a local artist, now based in Oahu.
Following a passion for creating art led to a background in 2D film animation, freelance graphic design, and eventually creating a brand for himself, selling his own original artwork. Jimmy’s work is influenced by his favorite anime, comic, and pop culture staples, and often blends it with our own local Hawai’i culture.
In addition to selling and creating art, his work can also be spotted on the product packaging for another local company, Snack Addicted, where he works as a graphic designer.
Jimmy Sparrow
Jon J. Murakami is a freelance cartoonist born and raised in Hawai‘i best known for his line of “Local Kine” greeting cards, which depict humorous occasions & holidays in Hawai‘i. His regular comic strips include “Calabash” with the Honolulu Star-Advertiser and “Generation Gap” with the Hawaii Herald. Additionally, Jon illustrated several Hawaiian children’s picture and board books, including “Geckos Slide & Peek,” and self-publishes comic books entitled “Gordon Rider,” “The Ara-Rangers,” and “Adventures with Zori.”
Jon J. Murakami
Kanila Tripp is an educator and freelance illustrator. His comics work includes working as a coloring manager for D.C. Comics and as a senior colorist at Hi-Fi Design. Titles he has worked on include Superman, Wonder Woman, and Teen Titans Go! for D.C.; X-Men Unlimited, Ultimate Adventures and Marvel Knights 2099 for Marvel; and Invincible and I Hate Gallant Girl for Image Comics.
Kalani Tripp
My name is Nel and I am a local artist, born and raised on O’ahu, Hawai’i.
My main inspiration are my pets. Featured on my logo is Doug, my grumpy senior dog who I love to bits. I also have 2 bunnies named Bobbs and Yogurt. I enjoy creating silly comics about them and sharing stories about my own characters. Please view my comics on WebToon -
https://www.webtoons.com/en/canvas/kawaiianart-comics-/list?title_no=580742
Kawaiianart
Kris Lohman is a Hawaii artist best known for his work on Au’Makua Guardians of Hawaii, which he has worked on since the first issue. Kris also has a creator-owned book, Dwarfstar Chronicles, and has contributed to Sistah Shark, Anuenue Warriors, and the upcoming Pele series from Mana Comics.
Kris Lohman
Brittany Lindo, known as Mailiflower, is a freelance graphic designer and illustrator based in Oahu, specializing in vibrant digital art. With a background in the indie game industry, she expertly weaves narrative into her pixel and 2D creations. Brittany's portfolio is filled with fan art inspired by anime, video games, popular media, and Dungeons & Dragons. Currently, she's crafting a comic featuring her ghost mascot, Forte, a mail carrier navigating the mystical realm between Faerun delivering packages to dungeon monsters and bosses to ensure a players' campaign runs smoothly. Mailiflower also created "Cryptid Paws", blending beloved pets with cryptids around the world including Mothpug and Unipom. Excitingly, she'll debut her new original art line, "Book Wyrms," at the Maui Comic Con!
Mailiflower
Born and raised on Oahu, Hawaii. Creator, writer, penciller, inker of Native Sons and The Ibalon Epic: The Retelling of Baltog. He has FINALLY been talked into finishing issue 2 of Native Sons and will be debuting a "preview" ashcan, an MCC exclusive. Please come by and say "Howzit".
Mark Gould
Mog Park is best known for providing concept designs, illustrations and story pages for HBO’s Game of Thrones. Many included in 15 short videos under “History and Lore of Westeros” in the Game of Thrones BluRay DVDs for seasons 3 to season 7 collections.
After covid she crossed over into comics bringing her illustrative story telling skills to the independent market immediately becoming the regular penciller and cover artist on Snow Paw \Lone Wolf Comics and Ruxy Vampire\Cagey Comics as well as a regular cover artist on Spectress & Sabanion\Cagey Comics, Ninjawitch\Mythos Comics and War Angels\MWP and numerous variant covers for Counter Point, Mt. Olympus, Fairie Metal and Ethereal Comics to name a few totaling more than 50 covers. A fan favorite at shows completing over 200 blank covers for fans just last year alone not to mention commissions in various sizes up to 24x36.
Mog currently lives in the Inland Empire of California sneaking in cats and dogs into her art.
She currently works in the comics industry providing cover art for various companies including Bookoo Comics, BDI, Fairie Metal, Mount Olympus, Dren Productions, Hanahan Comics, Mighty Comics, Sire Comics, Cagey Comics to name a few. She is the regular artist for Snow Paw from Lone Wolf Comics and Ruxy The Vampire from Cagey Comics. She currently resides in the Inland Empire drawing cats and dogs. @MogPark and @ArtdeMogPark both on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and ArtStation. Also as @Dubugomdori on DeviantArt. For commission inquiries please contact her through FB messenger.
Mog Park
Nao is a Japanese Freelance Artist who works consist of traditional and digital Illustrations as well sculpting. She worked for publishing companies such as Kodansha, Shogakukan, Shueisha, etc. creating variety of illustrations and sculptures for various magazines. A few years ago she moved to Hawaii and has actively been going to events to revive and spread the stories of her Sadness Rabbits.
Nao
Justin Altman is an artist from Oahu. He makes his money as a Senior Vis Dev Artist @ Riot Games in Los Angeles. He started an art collective called NEVR out of his friend’s garage where he makes comics and sculptures. He loves making things and talking about art. Please stop by and say hello!
NVR
Jon Coburn artist name Poremunk. Painting and drawing are my passions. Painting everything from canvas to tile to toys to shoes and skate decks. Inspired from just about anything I've read or watched, comics, science fiction, amine, movies, graffiti and everyday life. Living on Maui last 11 years, from California, loving the island its people and culture.
Poremunk
Reid (aka Hoʻomaka) is from Oʻahu. Graduated from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa with a degree in Art (graphic design).
His heavy influence by both western comics and anime/manga is present in his art. He does both traditional and digital art. Currently he is starting work on his own comic. He has done commissions for companies and people like EVO and Vampybitme. If you want to see samples of his art go to his Instagram listed below.
Reid also streams online on Twitch multiple times a week under the name Hoomaka. People on Twitch think he looks like Maui...go figure huh? Lol It's probably because of the hair...who knows? Links: Twitch.tv/hoomaka , Instagram: @hoomaka78
Reid Kishimoto
Sasha is a local digital artist, animator and illustrator raised on Maui since childhood. Her focuses include character art, 2D animation, comic art and various types of illustration. She’s done work for companies like Hot Topic and Maui Public Art Corps along with illustrating a New York Times Bestseller. Sasha enjoys telling stories through her art and often aims to merge modern media with the daily lifestyle and traditions of local Maui culture.
Sasha
Hello, my name is Jay. I am a self-taught digital artist who resides on Oahu. My first inspirations came from watching anime and playing Pokemon on the Game Boy. Nowadays, my love for Monster Hunter and Final Fantasy XIV has grown, and much of my art is influenced by those two games. My art style has a mix of cute and anime artworks with some dragons and fantasy creatures.
Sleepy Jay Art
Shane O'Shaughnessy uses the nom de plume of Rv. Xen to craft stories and drawings of pun-filled food characters, queer cosplay romance comics, grossified caricatures of friends, and a whole mess of cartoony craziness. Their work, along with pithy reviews of horror movies, can be found on Instagram: @rvxen. Having lived in both Iowa and Hawaii, they are now mostly made up of a variety of SPAM flavors.
Shane O'Shaughnessy
Born and raised on Maui, Swan Kahookele aka Warchief is an artist who grew up with a deep love for comics and cartoons. As Swan grew up, comic Titles like Marvel’s Ghost Rider, DC’s The Demon & Albatross Funnybooks, The Goon along with Slimer from the Ghostbusters Franchise are just some of the many characters that have inspired Swan to become an artist. Swan is also a former member of the Maui Comics & Collectibles crew in 2019 Swan left Maui Comics to pursue a career in art establishing his own comic brand “Uhane Comics”. Swan chose the Hawaiian word “Uhane '' due to how the word connects with his interests with the horror genre for it means ghost and spirit but even more so because it’s also the Hawaiian word for Soul, which is something Swan always puts into his artwork. Swan is currently working on a children’s horror project Tales From the Kitchen and has a few other projects that he is working on such as Adventures in Bento City and coloring books that illustrate Hawaii’s sea life. Aside from art, Swan is also a game master in the Maui D&D community and has found a way to weave his art into his games, creating maps and other character art for his campaigns. Swan is the current record holder for being GM for the largest D&D game played at Maui Comics which was a total of thirty-two players. Swan has also done maps for other GM’s outside of Hawaii and no matter if it’s at a con, comic shop or at the beach wherever Swan goes he is always being creative and honing his craft.
Swan Kahookele
Teo is an illustrator from West Oahu, Hawaii. Influenced by character growth stories found in animation and video games, he aims to put the same hope and energy into his work for others.
Teo is Drawing
Alani Wun has grown up on the island of Maui & has been creating art in paradise while finding inspiration from nature, culture, music, and life’s adventures.
As a digital & handmade artist, draws from a comic sketch art style with adding a unique perspective from her own life.
First starting as a small with a little online shop in 2020 with a little dream to create from life experiences. Over, the past 4 years, getting to attend local conventions & vendors at pop-up events & outdoor markets. She desires to inspire others to enjoy life in the limitless endeavors of self-acceptance, often dry humor, and an unlimited journey of imagination.
This is Life Alani
Todd Bernardy graduated from the University of New Mexico in 2006, where he studied Fine art and literature. He is the creator of Mohawk Thunder, Disco Thunder Groove Bone, and Hard Candy Aftermath. He most recently completed his longest running comic, Kukui Project. He lives in Haiku, Hawaii, with his wife and daughter.
Todd Bernardy
My name is Tyler Jellum. I'm a local Maui woodworker that uses many different species of wood. I use the natural colors of the wood to create pictures. Most of my woodworking is hand cut on a scroll saw. Some of my creations consist of cutting boards, coasters, kids toys, magnets, decor, and art inspired by comics, video games, anime, and Maui. Check out my work on Instagram @JellumWoodworks.
Tyler Jellum
Vero Stewart is Cuban-American illustrator, painter, and cartoonist in New Hampshire. Her most recent comic, BARDASAURUS REX, is a bootleg redux of Big Barda and the Justice League International on a planet of dinosaurs. She is a cover artist for Coheed and Cambria’s ‘My Brother’s Blood Machine’, IDW’s exclusive reprint of TMNT #1 for the PMC 40th anniversary, and Archie’s ‘Jinx: Cursed Life’. She’s also the writer and illustrator behind ‘FIELD GUIDE TO WONDER’, an ongoing zine about the things that make life worth living. She can lick her elbow and will talk to you all day about dinosaurs if you let her.
Vero Stewart
Hi, I'm Yuma! A freelance artist that specializes in character art, best known for my tiktok and social media posts!