Nelson Makua

Nelson Makua has been an artist and designer on the Big Island for over 40 years. Born and raised in Kailua, Oahu, he and his ‘ohana moved to the Big Island in 1975, where they reside in Puna, the original home of the Makua ohana. “My ancestors were part of the migration from Tahiti to Hawaiʻi who settled in Kalapana in the district of Puna. For me, moving to the Big Island was like coming home.”

Though Nelson began his artist journey honing his skills in drawing, painting and photography, he has been a digital artist for over 25 years and creates his work exclusively on a computer. “The digital age has opened up a whole new world of creating for the artist, with endless possibilities.” Combining his skills as a traditional artist with digital a application allows Nelson to explore new ways to interpret his art. Nelson does not concern himself with a “style” to his art but instead loves exploring many different styles that best depict his vision for that piece. “Guided by my personal history and my kupuna before me, I consider myself a Hawaiian artist living in my own time, creating images that reflect that time and place.”