The Tattoo

In this compelling novel, two prisoners form a bond inside Halawa Correctional Institute, revealing the darker side of Hawaii beyond the tourist scenes. As Ken Hideyoshi, a tough inmate, has a tattoo artist known as Cal craft an intricate backpiece, he shares his life story of hardship, ambition, and the struggles of growing up in impoverished and turbulent environments. Through their interactions and Ken's storytelling, the novel explores themes of resilience, identity, and the hidden realities of Hawaii’s underbelly.