2bit — Chris Curren
Color Realism & Neo-Traditional Tattoo Artist
Tattoo artist and body piercer at Wailana Tattoo in Waikiki, Honolulu. Walk-ins welcome. Open 10 AM to midnight.
- Apprenticed Under JD Gray
- 15+ Years Piercing
- Walk-Ins Welcome
- Open 10 AM – Midnight
California roots. Hawaii ink.
Chris Curren — known in the industry as 2bit — was born and raised in Ventura, California. He made the move to Hawaii in 2007 by way of Bullhead City, Arizona, and never looked back. What started as a new chapter became a permanent one — Waikiki has been home for nearly two decades.
2bit started in body piercing in 2007, building his craft in sterile technique and client care before ever picking up a tattoo machine. He apprenticed under JD Gray at Sacred Art Tattoo in Waikiki — one of the most established shops on the island — and began tattooing professionally in 2010. That dual background in piercing and tattooing gives him a technical precision and hygiene standard that carries through everything he does.
His favorite styles are Color Realism and Neo-Traditional — two approaches that demand both artistic vision and technical control. Color Realism requires accurate light mapping, smooth tonal blending, and saturated pigment work. Neo-Traditional requires bold structural linework paired with a richer, more illustrative color vocabulary than classic Traditional allows. 2bit does both.
He currently works at Wailana Tattoo, 1860 Ala Moana Blvd, Waikiki — open 10 AM to midnight daily. Walk-ins welcome, or text (808) 400-9943 to book ahead.
Styles 2bit tattoos
Two primary styles backed by 15 years of hands-on experience in tattooing and piercing.
Color Realism
Photorealistic tattoos rendered in vibrant, saturated color. Portraits, animals, florals, and memorial pieces built through careful light mapping, smooth tonal transitions, and precise color matching. The image reads as a photograph translated to skin.
Primary StyleNeo-Traditional
Bold outlines from the Traditional school with expanded color palettes, richer shading, and illustrative depth. Art Nouveau and Art Deco influences. Animals, florals, portraits, and fantasy elements rendered with structural confidence and contemporary color range.
Also AvailablePortraits · Illustrative · Cover-Ups · Custom
Portrait work in both color and black & grey. Illustrative pieces with visible mark-making and artistic interpretation. Cover-up work that buries old ink under new compositions. Fully custom one-of-one designs.
Professional piercing since 2007
2bit started as a piercer before he ever picked up a tattoo machine. Sterile technique, implant-grade jewelry, walk-ins welcome.
Ear & Face
Lobe, helix, tragus, conch, daith, rook, nostril, septum, bridge, eyebrow. Single-use sterile needles and implant-grade titanium jewelry.
Body
Navel, nipple, surface piercings. Professional technique with aftercare guidance. Walk-in appointments take 15-30 minutes.
Specialty
Dermals, industrials, custom ear projects, and advanced placements. Consultation recommended for complex setups.
Walk in to Wailana Tattoo or text (808) 400-9943 to book a piercing.
Wailana Tattoo, Waikiki
2bit works at Wailana Tattoo — a street-level studio at 1860 Ala Moana Blvd, next to the Hilton Waikiki Beach and the historic Wailana Coffee House. Walk-ins welcome for both tattoos and piercings.
Best way to book: text (808) 400-9943 with your idea and preferred date.
- Shop
- Wailana Tattoo — 1860 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96815
- Hours
- Mon–Sun 10 AM – Midnight
- Walk-Ins
- Welcome for tattoos and piercings
- Website
- wailanatattoo.com
Directions
Waikiki tattoo shops 2bit is affiliated with
2bit's primary home is Wailana Tattoo. He's also connected to these Waikiki studios through the same ownership network.
Wailana Tattoo
1860 Ala Moana Blvd · Waikiki
Street-level studio next to the Hilton Waikiki Beach. Six licensed artists, walk-ins welcome. Open 10 AM to midnight daily. This is where 2bit works.
wailanatattoo.com →Aloha Tattoo
Hilton Hawaiian Village · Rainbow Bazaar & Diamond Head Tower
The first tattoo business on a Hilton Hotel property. Two studios inside the Hilton Hawaiian Village plus a Kailua location. Open 10 AM to midnight daily.
alohatattoo.com →Ohana Tattoo Company
339 Saratoga Rd · Waikiki
Veteran-owned walk-in and flash tattoo shop in the heart of Waikiki. 531 Google reviews, 4.9 stars. Open 9 AM to midnight Mon-Sat.
ohanatattoo.ink →Artists 2bit works with
Questions about 2bit
How do I book with 2bit?
Text (808) 400-9943 with your idea, reference photos, and preferred date. 2bit works at Wailana Tattoo, 1860 Ala Moana Blvd, Waikiki. Walk-ins are also welcome any time the shop is open.
What styles does 2bit specialize in?
2bit's primary styles are Color Realism (photorealistic tattoos in full color) and Neo-Traditional (bold outlines with expanded color palettes and illustrative depth). He also does portraits, illustrative work, cover-ups, and custom designs. He apprenticed under JD Gray at Sacred Art Tattoo in Waikiki.
Does 2bit do piercings?
Yes — 2bit has been piercing professionally since 2007, even before he started tattooing. He does ear, face, body, and specialty piercings at Wailana Tattoo using sterile single-use equipment and implant-grade titanium jewelry. Walk-ins welcome.
Where does 2bit work?
Wailana Tattoo — 1860 Ala Moana Blvd, Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii. Next to the Hilton Waikiki Beach and the historic Wailana Coffee House. Open 10 AM to midnight daily.
What is 2bit's real name?
Chris Curren. Born and raised in Ventura, California. Moved to Hawaii in 2007 from Bullhead City, Arizona. He's been based in Waikiki ever since.
How much does a tattoo with 2bit cost?
Pricing depends on size, detail, style, and placement. Text (808) 400-9943 with a reference photo and 2bit will give you a quote before you come in. Consultations are free.
Does 2bit accept walk-ins?
Yes. Wailana Tattoo is open 10 AM to midnight Monday through Sunday. Walk in anytime for tattoos or piercings. If you want guaranteed time with 2bit specifically, text ahead.
Book a session with 2bit
Text your idea — or walk into Wailana Tattoo, Waikiki.