It all began when Aaron was four years old. Determined to draw like his older siblings, he would borrow his sister’s art supplies and let his creativity run free through a stroke of a brush. Throughout his school years, when other subjects were looking down, art was always looking up. His mother encouraged him, classmates reacted to his abilities, and Aaron never stopped practicing.

After graduating from Kamehameha Schools Hawaiʻi campus in 2007, Aaron moved to San Francisco to study film. After a series of freelancing work, he found a job at a law firm working in the copy center. Still very passionate about art, Aaron would bring his sketchbook and computer to work, drawing and creating graphics in his downtime.

He started to post his work on Instagram, attend art shows, and take marketing into his own hands by creating hand-drawn sticker labels to share. Still working at the law firm, he sold his first painting for the value of his monthly rent. Shortly after, Aaron would make a pivotal, mental decision and never look back.

Q + A with Aaron Kai

+ How would you describe yourself as a teenager?

I was always interested in art, so I would draw rather than take notes. Outside of school, I would hang out with my friends and throw little get togethers. Surfed a lot. I’m from Hilo, so it’s a small town and not much to do except go to the beach and hang out with your friends. I did a lot of drawing and I used to make print t-shirts when I was in high school.

+ How do you define success?

Happiness and freedom. Freedom - to do whatever you want, whenever you want. Happiness - being with people that make you happy. Success for me is to continue doing what I’m doing until I can’t anymore and when I’m gone, have people still remember the art and appreciate it.

+ How does your art reflect Hawaiʻi?

I think it’s kind of a thing with local boys from Hawaii when you surf, you draw waves at school. Who can draw the best wave? That’s where it started for me.

I went to Kamehameha and we were always in a class that taught us about Hawaiian history and studies. We were in the middle of the ocean when Captain Cook came to Hawaii; we were thriving. We had an ecosystem and everything made sense and we were self-sustaining. For us to be in the middle of the ocean, and to be able to do that, is pretty astonishing to me. It’s why I’m proud to be Hawaiian - my ancestors did that. Everything came from the ocean; our people came from the ocean and landed in Hawaii. Ultimately, that’s where we are from. That’s where everything comes to Hawaii - from the ocean - and that’s how it ties into Hawaii.

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