Reddit reviews Tattoo: Bodies, Art, and Exchange in the Pacific and the West - History of Tatooing

I am Maoli, Native Hawaiian. I don't find it disrespectful at all when a non-polynesian person feels a powerful connection to my culture. I find it extremely respectful. There are certain kapus (taboos) about specific design not being allowed for certain people. I suggest doing your homework.

If you don't live in Hawai'i then I suggest reading one of the fantastic books published in the last few years about polynesian tattooing. The museum I work at in the UK has many fantastic books on the subject. My boss is actually and expert from the on the subject from the anthropological point of view.

Obviously each design, it's usage and placement mean something specific and are meant as a form of communication. Speaking solely for myself, if you like Travis Browne's tattoos for their aesthetic purpose, that's great (and i agree they are beautiful), but do some digging yourself to see if you can express yourself using my culture's imagery. That way when people ask you about them, or give you shit for not being of that culture, you can respond intelligently and with knowledge, proving that you're not just some fake person following a trend. I know lots of non-polynesians with polynesian tattoos. Almost all of them have done their homework. The ones that are most impressive can also speak the language (which seriously shuts up most haters bc most Hawaiian's can't even speak Hawaiian).

Edit: I would also like to add, if anyone is interested in acquiring one of the aforementioned books feel free to PM me. I don't know if any of them are available outside the UK. We also have some pretty rad books on broader aspects of Polynesian culture. Lots of amazing research and conservation is being done in the UK right now.