HAWAIIAN COMIC BOOK ALLIANCE
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  • Gallery
    • Oct Drawing Challenges 2020
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Gary Adachi

Co-founder, Molokai Comics
Creator, Captain Kanaka-kai, Red Spot
Rest In Aloha
Picture
PictureGary 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.

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

captain_kanaka_kai_01.pdf
File Size: 17311 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

captain_kanaka_kai_annual_01.pdf
File Size: 14576 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

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The Hawaiian Comic Book Alliance is not responsible for the negotiation of contracts with individual artists.  Members who are available to do commissioned work are notated on the Members page.  Please communicate with them directly using the contact information on their page which you can get to by clicking on their photo.  

Messages left for the members via the contact form will be forwarded to them.
  • Welcome
    • Sam Campos
    • Christopher Caravalho
    • Roy Chang
    • DJ Keawekane
    • Kevin Sano
    • Jon J. Murakami
    • Mark Gould
    • Kristopher Lohman
    • Comics Hawaii
    • Todd Bernardy
    • Napua Ahina
    • Manoa Comics Group
    • Lorenzo Gomez Trinidad
    • Jeff Langcaon
    • Alan A. Ventura
    • Stacey Hayashi
    • Chris Koanui
    • Allen Carter
    • Art Wong
    • Dwayne A. Acoba
    • Kaci Horimoto
    • Nobu
    • Moana McAdams
    • Nikko
    • Gary Adachi
    • Vincent Kukua
    • Free Isabelo
  • Gallery
    • Oct Drawing Challenges 2020
    • Pepe Con 2020
    • Amazing Comic Con Aloha 2020
    • Pearl City Public Library 2019
    • Walk to End Alzheimer's 2019
    • Burning Spear Comix at Amalgam Comics
    • Drawing Challenges 2019
    • Maui Comic Con 2019
    • Halloween ComicFest 2019
    • New York Comic Con 2019
    • Carter Comics 2019
    • Keiki Hero Con 2019
    • Comic Con Honolulu 2019
    • The Longest Day 2019
    • Free Comic Book Day 2019
    • Kawaii Kon 2019
    • Go For Broke in SoCal 2019
    • Awesome Con 2019
    • WonderCon 2019
    • Roy in San Francisco 2019
    • Amazing Comic Con Aloha 2019
    • SAMCON 2018
    • Great American Comic Con 2018
    • October Art 2018
    • Maui Comic Con 2018
    • LA Comic Con 2018
    • EPALF 2018
    • New York Comic Con 2018
    • Kanaka CC Schofield 2018
    • HawaiiCon 2018
    • Amazing Weekend 2018
    • Comic Con Honolulu 2018
    • San Diego Comic Con 2018
    • Amazing Las Vegas Comic Con 2018
    • Shirokiya Matsuri June 24
    • Anime Ohana Fest 2018
    • Denver Comic Con 2018
    • Soldier Con 2018
    • Conference on Literature and Hawaii's Children 2018
    • NEET Summer 2018
    • Artist Avenue 2018
    • Free Comic Book Day 2018
    • Pop Swap 2018
    • Kanaka CC Hickam 2018
    • Silicon Vally Comic Con 2018
    • WonderCon 2018
    • Cartoonist IRL: Roy Chang
    • Kawaii Kon 2018
    • Hawaii Collectors Expo 2018
    • Local Comic Shop Day 2017
    • Anime Day 4.0
    • Aiea HS PTSO Craft Fair 2017
    • Maui Comic Con 2017
    • Halloween ComicFest 2017
    • LA Comic Con 2017
    • Rose City Comic Con 2017
    • Amazing Hawaii Comic Con 2017
    • Comic Con Honolulu 2017
    • Free Comic Book Day 2017
    • Maui Con 2016
    • Amazing Hawaii Comic Con 2016 SE
    • Hawaii Con 2016
    • Batman Day / Ghostbusters Book Drive
    • Comic Con Honolulu 2016
    • San Diego Comic Con 2016
    • Amazing Hawaii Comic Con 2016
    • Free Comic Book Day 2016
    • Star Wars Day 2016
    • Kawaii Kon 2016
    • BOH Family Sunday - Mori & Steam
    • Enjoy Comics' Grand Opening
    • Anime Matsuri Hawaii 2015
    • Aki Matsuri 2015
    • Keiki Con 2015
    • Amazing Hawaii Comic Con 2015
    • Hawaii Con 2015
  • Links
  • Download
  • Friends
  • Contact