Gary Adachi
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Co-founder, Molokai Comics
Creator, Captain Kanaka-kai, Red Spot Rest In Aloha |
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Gary with wife, Bertha, and Sam Campos during a visit to Sam's studio.
Gary's interest in art began at an early age. Throughout his life, some sort of art connection occupied his time. He started drawing comics in the 80s and gained some measure of success and satisfaction. His comic book stories take place on Molokai where the slipper wearing Captain Kanaka-kai, along with his masked poi dog, Kaukau, protect Hawaii's citizens from vampires, terrorists, yakuza and spaceships.
The culture of Hawaii is finely woven into Molokai Comics through authentic dialects, accents and character features of the islands' various ethnic groups. Gary got some writing help from his brother in law, Kelvin Keanini. They started publishing in 1990, putting together photocopied issues to sell at flea markets and special events. Besides Captain Kanaka-kai and Kaukau, Gary created Red Spot stories which featured a female crime fighter who obtained powers after being exposed to atomic test debris in a Pacific atoll. He also made some religious and military comic book stories which he published under the Molokai Comics label.
Having an interest in art from an early age, Gary always found opportunities to express his creativity. During the Korean War, he served in the U.S. Army as an illustrator in the Training Aid Warehouse. In his 40 year career in the pineapple industry, Gary made signs, charts, posters and program covers for Del Monte Corp. until the company pulled out in 1985. During the 1968 pineapple strike, he served as editor of the I.L.W.U Strike Bulletin, drawing cartoons both for the Bulletin and the Voice of the I.L.W.U. based on Oahu.
At the end of his pineapple career, Gary turned to silk screen printing and collaborated with Kelvin on a line of limited edition milk caps featuring Molokai legends, history, curiosities and facts.
After seeing the Pineapple Man feature on Hawaiian Moving Company he sent a letter to Sam and Gen, along with several comics. It was the start of an inspiring friendship, and Captain Kanaka-kai was featured on the Pineapple Man website until SoloGraphics was dissolved.
Gary passed away on May 12, 2014 at the age of 86 and was laid to rest at the Molokai Veterans Cemetery. He left with us a body of work that proves, you don't need computers, glossy covers, or fancy equipment to make comics. Paper, pen, and the will to use them are more than enough.
The culture of Hawaii is finely woven into Molokai Comics through authentic dialects, accents and character features of the islands' various ethnic groups. Gary got some writing help from his brother in law, Kelvin Keanini. They started publishing in 1990, putting together photocopied issues to sell at flea markets and special events. Besides Captain Kanaka-kai and Kaukau, Gary created Red Spot stories which featured a female crime fighter who obtained powers after being exposed to atomic test debris in a Pacific atoll. He also made some religious and military comic book stories which he published under the Molokai Comics label.
Having an interest in art from an early age, Gary always found opportunities to express his creativity. During the Korean War, he served in the U.S. Army as an illustrator in the Training Aid Warehouse. In his 40 year career in the pineapple industry, Gary made signs, charts, posters and program covers for Del Monte Corp. until the company pulled out in 1985. During the 1968 pineapple strike, he served as editor of the I.L.W.U Strike Bulletin, drawing cartoons both for the Bulletin and the Voice of the I.L.W.U. based on Oahu.
At the end of his pineapple career, Gary turned to silk screen printing and collaborated with Kelvin on a line of limited edition milk caps featuring Molokai legends, history, curiosities and facts.
After seeing the Pineapple Man feature on Hawaiian Moving Company he sent a letter to Sam and Gen, along with several comics. It was the start of an inspiring friendship, and Captain Kanaka-kai was featured on the Pineapple Man website until SoloGraphics was dissolved.
Gary passed away on May 12, 2014 at the age of 86 and was laid to rest at the Molokai Veterans Cemetery. He left with us a body of work that proves, you don't need computers, glossy covers, or fancy equipment to make comics. Paper, pen, and the will to use them are more than enough.
Gary's Art
The Fan Art Calendar
In appreciation for Gary's support and inspiration, the creators of Pineapple Man, Ninja Squirrel, Evil Twins and Silent Winter prepared a fanart calendar for him, and included black and white panels from his Captain Kanaka-kai comics.
Enjoy Captain Kanaka-Kai Comics
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