Kamapua'a, the Hawaiian Pig God

Pig God Goes Global!

2006-04-13T10:47:00.000-10:00

It's no secret that west coast illustrator Randy Bain and I (east coast author Chris Osburn) have never met. Nonetheless, we've found through the creation and publication of our Hawaiian Pig God series, that collaborating via the internet and phone and relying on the good ole USPS is actually a lot of fun and can be very rewarding experience.

But now that I'm about to move an even greater distance from Randy's side of the world (I'm moving to London), is this the end of our collaboration? Heck no. The only real issue for us will be to pay even closer attention to time zones. In fact, we have every intention to continuing our working relationship and see this, ultimately, as an opportunity to take our partnership global!

I'm set to arrive in London on 1 May - just in time to catch the London Luau later in June.

Eventually, I'm gonna sit down with Randy and look 'im in the eye. Until then: thanks for the fun and hard work and for hanging in there with me as I make this move overseas.

Mahalo,
Chris

From the Santa Cruz Sentinel

2006-04-07T10:58:00.000-10:00

Illustrator Randy Bain isn't so sure about the fame and fortune yet, but we both really appreciate the plug in the Santa Cruz Sentinel (March 28):

Tiki trophy

Little did Randy Bain know it, but a visit to a Web site brought him some fame and fortune. Randy, a local artist who goes by the screen name Chongolio, popped into an online community for enthusiasts of mid-century Polynesian pop and vintage Hawaiiana. The site, www.tikiroom.com, operated by Hanford Lemoore of Palo Alto, led Randy to friendship with author Chris Osburn of New Jersey. The two of them then collaborated on a three-volume, illustrated series called "Kamapua'a, the Hawaiian Pig God: Adventures on Oahu," which is based on a Hawaiian legend.

Click below to read the rest of the article:

http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/archive/2006/March/28/style/stories/01style.htm

New Book about Easter Island by Author Chris Osburn

2006-03-31T15:32:00.000-10:00

The Law of the Island: A Rapa Nui Travelogue
by Chris Osburn
Photography by Emilia Osburn

Full of color photos, The Law of the Island is a 22-page travelogue about a recent adventure to Easter Island, where the only thing more enigmatic than the island's mysterious stone statues is the cast of intriguing characters who reside on - or travel across the globe to visit - the most remotely inhabited island in the world.

Copies of The Law of the Island cost $8 each (free shipping anywhere in the world).

To purchase The Law of the Island, click here.

Contact us for information about bulk purchases.

Coconut Wired - Adventure 2

2006-03-29T04:11:00.000-10:00

This communique's from the Lost Isle of Kamapua'a illustrator, Randy Bain:

Aloha All,

Coconut Wired Adventure #2

has been posted. This time around we are podcastin' from the lagoon and featuring the musical goodness of The Smokin' Menehunes, Kahuna Kawentzmann, Tiki King and the Idol Pleasures, Ape and More!

I also tried something new and have the art of Noah Snodgrass and Shawn Dickinson from Untamed Highway, as well as more of Sam Gambino's work running as a slide type of deal show during a portion of this episode. You will need iTunes and/or the latest quicktime to watch and listen.

Input and feedback are always nice and there are several places you can do it. You can leave comments on the Coconut Wired blog, at the iTunes store, or here at good ol TC. Please leave it anywhere you feel inclined. Thanks again to everybody who has shown there support! Your the ones that make this a fun adventure!

Listen to Coconut Wired

2006-03-09T14:15:00.000-10:00

Kamapua'a illustrator Randy Bain has now joined the ranks of the podcastin' community and just uploaded his first adventure. You can check it out at CoconutWired.com This first episode features the artwork of Sam Gambino and and is stuffed with 20 minutes of killer tunes from the Myspace Surf/instro community and from the Tiki Central ohana.

Randy says "Thanks to all who gave me the green light to use your tunes. If you like what you hear, go ahead and subscribe. Of course, any input or suggestions are totally welcome, but hey go easy on me I a total newby at this and have a few more things to figure out. The next adventure is on the map table as I type. If you are interested in having me play your band or feature your art or a link or promo exchange, Give me eHoller!"

Mahalo,

Chris

BAS was a Blast!

2006-03-09T10:08:00.000-10:00

The Big Art Show last Saturday at Red Fusion in Asbury Park was a lot of fun. It was great to meet some new people and to see a few familiar faces.

Here's a photo from just before the event started (that's Eric from Geek Boy Press on the left) :

In addition to Kama, I also exhibited the Sheeples, and Untamed Highway. My wife, Emilia, was with me too, exhibiting her photography.

Hope to catch some of you at the Mid Jersey Comicon on Sunday March 19.

Mahalo,
Chris

The Sheeples - A New Series by Chris Osburn

2006-03-03T13:21:00.000-10:00

Recently, I have been writing and illustrating a story concept based upon a speculative conversation I had with my wife, Emilia, while cruising around the South Island of New Zealand in a campervan last year.

The result of that conversation is the first five installments of an ongoing saga set in the wilderness of New Zealand’s verdant South Island.

Each installment is a quarter-folded card featuring cover art and six-panels of illustration and text. I don’t expect anyone to be blown away with how polished a publication this is, but I think the story is very readable; the concept is pretty nifty; and the illustrations are just quirky enough for readers to enjoy. Here’s the premise of the series:

The Sheeples are a reclusive race of forest dwellers descended from a few stray sheep that settled within the dense rainforests of New Zealand’s Southern Alps. Unhindered by human interference, and without the threat of natural predators, these sheep adapted well to life in the rainforest. Indeed, resources were so abundant that, rather than meet their demise, the sheep actually thrived and incredibly mutated into a new bipedal species capable of speech and rational thought. Although the Sheeples have never encountered humans, their legends tell of an oppressive and bloodthirsty race of mysterious creatures known as the shepherdkind.

These first five installments deal with the Origins of the Sheeples, from stray flock to feral fold. Along the way, readers will learn about New Zealand history and geography as well as all sorts of goofy facts about ovine behavior. Readers will also gain a little insight into my own ideas about individuality, religion, and more. Much like my Kamapua‘a series, each installment of the Sheeples builds upon the last and highlights my partiality to cliffhanger endings. In addition to my drawings, I also incorporate some photographs that Emilia shot during last year’s trip. To see more of Emilia’s photography, check out: http://www.weplanyourtrip.com/PictureGallery.html.

All five installments of the Origins of the Sheeples are now available as a set for $3 to anybody interested (I’ll ship to any mailing address anywhere in the world). You’re welcome to purchase via PayPal. Please use this email address when paying: strayflock@lycos.com – and please enter “SHEEPLES” in the subject line.Alternatively, you’re welcome to send me $3.00 CASH or check/money order made out to “Chris Osburn” … or simply send me a gift that you feel is worth around $3.00 and, in turn, I’ll send you an Origins of the Sheeples set. Email me (strayflock@lycos.com) for my mailing address. BUT PLEASE NOTE that my permanent address is anything but permanent right now; so, unless you intend to mail payment/gift to me this week, PayPal is probably your best bet.

Thanks,
Chris Osburn

March Events

2006-02-24T13:10:00.000-10:00

This March there will be two opportunities to meet Kamapua'a author Chris Osburn and check out his work!

Saturday March 4 at Big Art Show in Asbury Park, NJ:

For more details about the Big Art Show: http://bigartshow.com/

Sunday March 19 at the Mid-Jersey Comicon in Bordentown, NJ:

For more details about the Mid-Jersey Comicon: http://www.midjerseycomicon.com/

Mahalo!

Kamapua'a Illustrator Wins Tiki Mug Design Contest!

2006-02-19T14:40:00.000-10:00

Kamapua'a series illustrator Randy Bain, aka Chongolio, just won "the second-ever Tiki Central & Munktiki Mug Design Contest" with his fantastic submission, "Tiki Central Ohana Hut!" Here's Randy's killer design:

To read about the mug design contest, click here:
http://www.tikiroom.com/tikicentral/bb/viewtopic.php?topic=17090&forum=1&amp;amp;amp;176

To read about the decision to choose Randy's design, click here:
http://www.tikiroom.com/tikicentral/bb/viewtopic.php?topic=18473&forum=1&amp;amp;amp;63

Mahalo,
Chris

Cover Art!

2005-11-17T13:11:00.000-10:00

Discount Kamapua'a Sets for Subscribers Only - Ho Ho Ho!

2005-11-02T14:27:00.000-10:00

Aloha Kamapua'a subscribers,

With the holidays fast approaching, we hope you will consider our complete three-volume Kamapua'a series to your friends and family as a gift for your family and friends. And as our gift to you, we are offering complete three-volume sets of our series for just $12 per set (that's only $4 per volume - a 20% discount) + $5.00 shipping (no matter where you live or how many sets you order). This discount offer is for our subscribers only. If interested, just reply to this email and tell us how many complete sets you would like to purchase.

Here are a few good reasons to give da pig god to your loved ones this holiday season:

~ Make your money count!

Why give some uninspired gift card from some big box mega-store when you can give the work of two passionate individuals? Your purchase will help us to continue creating and pursuing our vision.

~ Bragging rights!

As a subscriber, you have greatly helped us to publish this series (we couldn't have done it without you!). Let your friends and family know that you're a supporter of the arts and independent publishing.

~ Hey, it's a good story with great illustrations!

Whether you're entering your tenth year or your tenth decade, the legend of Kamapua'a is a fun read. If you've enjoyed reading our series, please share it with those you love.

Remember, this is a limited edition series. If you want to purchase any complete sets, let us know soon.

Mahalo for your continued support,
Chris Osburn and Randy Bain

October Update

2005-09-29T07:07:00.000-10:00

SPX Report
Kamapua'a at Big Art Show in Asbury Park
Hukilau 2005
Upcoming Tiki Magazine Article!
Hooptylau 2005

SPX 2005

Chris spent the weekend of September 23rd promoting the Kamapua‘a illustrated series at the Small Press Expo (SPX) in Bethesda, Maryland. Response from the attendees and the other exhibitors toward our pig god series was very positive. With respect to format, subject matter, design/layout, and overall style of writing and illustration, our work was unique among the other books on exhibition. Of course, the vast majority of exhibitors were comic book and graphic novel people. Still, it was interesting to see our favorite piggy wallowing in his own niche.

Compared to many of the other first time and independent publishers that Chris had the opportunity to meet, the pig god series appears to be quite a success! We attribute much of this success directly to our subscribers and our sponsors. THANK YOU so much for taking a chance on our collaboration and for helping us to pursue a dream. We hope you've enjoyed reading our story as much as we've enjoyed sharing it with you. We also hope you'll hang with us in the upcoming months (and years?) as we continue our collaboration.

Big Weekend in October

Big Art Show #14
Howard Johnson Restaurant
1213 Boardwalk Asbury Park, NJ 07712
www.bigartshow.com
Saturday October 8 (Doors open at 7pm)
$5.00 Admission

Saturday October 8th, from 7 p.m. until late, Chris will be at Big Art Show #14 at ye olde Howard Johnson restaurant (and cocktail bar) on the boardwalk in Asbury Park. As at SPX, Chris will have copies of Untamed Highway #1 and #2 on hand as well as copies of the Kamapua‘a illustrated series. The show will feature over 20 artists and live music by the following bands: Skyline Rodeo, Sparks Fly From A Kiss, Grammar Debate, Buzzard, The Marching Banned, and MORE.

This event promises to be a lot of fun. The HoJo, and indeed much of Asbury Park, has an atmosphere like nowhere else: one part faded glory, one part up-and-coming, lots of edge and some of the coolest architecture on the east coast. There will be a definite Halloween vibe at the show as freaky folk in costume are expected to attend.

Oh We’re Going to a Hukilau

And while Chris hawks the hog on the Jersey Shore, Nick Camara, from Tiki Magazine will be helping spread the mud down the coast in Florida at Hukilau 2005. The largest tiki event in the east, Hukilau is a three-day Polynesian Pop extravaganza (October 6-8) in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Find out more about this mega-fest at http://www.thehukilau.com/.

Upcoming Article about the Series

We sincerely appreciate Nick's support. He does a bang up job as publisher and editor for Tiki Magazine, which will actually feature an article about our pig god series in its upcoming issue! Check out http://tikimag.net/ to find how and where to get your hooves on a copy!

Hooptylau 2005

Can't make it to Fort Lauderdale for Hukilau 2005? Well, if you're in the Central Valley region of California on October 15th, consider attending Hooptylau 2005, which will include a visit to the beautiful Tiki Jungle oasis. Randy will be attending and will have a few copies of our series on hand. For more details, check out the following link:

http://www.tikiroom.com/tikicentral/bb/viewtopic.php?topic=16546&forum=4&amp;20

Mahalo,
Chris Osburn and Randy Bain

September Update

2005-08-30T05:24:00.000-10:00

Da Survey
Pig God Apparel
Chris at SPX 2005
Check Out Untamed Highway and Sideshow Stamps
Volume Three Update

Our Survey is Still Open

We appreciate the candid responses of those who've already answered the survey. It's good to know you're all happy with your subscriptions. To those of you who haven't responded to the survey yet, it's quick, easy, and fun and still open.

Please access the survey at http://surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=704951294217.

Pig God Apparel

Our Kamapua‘a Club members only shirt sale ends September 8.
Of course, the shirts will still be available after the 8th, but the prices will be about 20% more expensive.

Mahalo to you members who’ve already purchased shirts! We hope you wear ‘em with pride (and we’d love to see a pic of you in your pig god apparel)!

Get your shirts at http://www.cafepress.com/piggod.

Chris at SPX 2005

Just a reminder: September 23rd and 24th, Chris will be exhibiting at SPX 2005, "the preeminent showcase for the exhibition of independent comic books and the discovery of new creative talent." SPX 2005 will bring together over 300 artists and publishers to meet their readers, booksellers, distributors, and each other. In addition to our Kamapua‘a series, Chris will be promoting Untamed Highway as well a new project of his own creation.

Aloha to our Latest Sponsors

Please welcome our two latest sponsors: Untamed Highway and Sideshow Stamps.

*Untamed Highway

If you’ve followed this blog, then you’ll realize that we’re big fans of this series. It’s super cool to now have them sponsoring our series! And if you haven’t been following Untamed Highway, here’s the scoop according to the creators of the series:

Untamed Highway is THE underground, self-published comic book that scratches the underbelly of vanished American Pop Culture. It is a road trip freak show slapstick mystery, cartoon noir, with tiki bars, Kreeps, Kustom Kulture, cars, shmoes, a poisonous drinking bird and an uptight sock puppet, freaks, Exotica, Film Noir, a secret Shriner like Society, hypnotism, gorilla mask, tikis, Roadside Attractions, and Tor! Set in a mid-century netherworld, this comic presents the story of Sydney Drake. Sydney is an average guy (or perhaps a bit below average), who finds himself doing the bidding of a Secret Society that is obsessed with Americana and Mom and Pop roadside attractions.

Check out more about the series at http://www.untamedhighway.com/.

*Sideshow Stamps

Sideshow Stamps is an artist-owned rubber stamp company geared toward the art stamper who is looking for that perfect stamp. Their self-produced product line includes beautiful and quirky rubber art stamps in designs of RETRO, Hawaiian, Tikis, Circus, Fairies, Googie Architecture, Flowers, Furniture, People, Holidays, Celestial, Frogs, Food, Phrases, Pop Culture, Robots, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Kustom Kulture, Beatniks, Victorian, Animals, Art Nouveau, Mod, Mermaids, and many more!!

Check ‘em out at http://www.sideshowstamps.com/.

Volume Three Update

Layout and design for Volume Three is coming along nicely. We’ll probably post a teaser here in the next week or two.

Take care and mahalo for your continued support,
Chris Osburn and Randy Bain

Interview with Illustrator Randy Bain

2005-08-18T12:20:00.000-10:00

If you recall back in April, Asbury Park's triCityNews featured an article about our Kamapua'a series, as well as an in-depth interview with yours truly (conducted by triCityNews editor, Steven Froias). Well, with the release of Volume Two, Steven was kind enough to get back in touch with us and, this time, interview Randy. Here are some highlights from the interview along with the interview in full:

… Action and suspense are once again on display in the second book, on display being the operative phrase. Because this time around we decided to catch up with Chris’s partner, Randy Bain, the illustrator of the series.

The amazing thing about this collaboration is that it reaches far beyond the triCities. As of our interview with Chris back in April, the two hadn’t even met in person. In fact, Randy has never even been to the state of New Jersey!

Instead, he’s happy getting stoked in Santa Cruz, California, where we caught up with him for an interview … via email, of course …

So, have you met Chris in person yet?

No not yet, just lots of emails and hours on the phone talking about all kinds of stuff. We have become really good friends and have cultivated a fantastic working relationship.

Where do you draw your artistic inspiration from?

That is a long list, but here are a few things that have been with me since I was a pup: music, monsters and strange creatures, Saturday morning cartoons, the art and culture of Polynesia and the south Pacific, Ma nature and all of her flora and fauna, jungle wildlife, science fiction and outer space, 60's and 70's surf culture, underground comics, old movies, etc ... As I said, the list could go on for days.

A cool thing about the art in Volume Two is that most of the sketches were done during my last trip to Hawaii. It was really neat to actually be in Kamapua'a's stomping grounds while creating the images for his book. There were some wild roosters and chickens that lived outside the condo that we stayed in so I had live models for the chicken drawings. It was very inspirational and I felt like Kamapua'a could of been right there drooling on me as he looked over my shoulder.

Is Kamapua’a based on a person in your life?

I did not base him on anybody in particular, but Kamapua'a reminds me of a lot of people myself included. In a way, he represents humanities ability to be noble, caring and beautiful, however, we can also be a self centered, cruel and grotesque bunch as well. I think everybody has this trait in them. To some degree, it's human nature.

What tools and media do you use when creating the artwork?

I always start with a pencil and sketchpad. I will create a rough idea on paper, then scan it into my computer. Once in my computer, I will clean it up and start fooling around with colors and textures. I use mostly Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator on a Macintosh G4.

How long does it take you to illustrate an edition?

We have been taking about 3 month between each volume. I am usually working on ideas and images during that entire time.

Does Chris send you the complete script, or a few pages at a time?

Chris will send me the whole story as one big text file. I then take it into Adobe Pagemaker to see how many pages we are going to have and how everything is going to fit. While doing this, Chris and I will start thinking about which parts of his story that would make for good illustrations. It's sometimes uncanny how we both choose the same parts of the story that we think would make for powerful imagery. Chris and I have connected on so many levels it really is amazing to me how well we work together for a couple of dudes that never met.

Have you ever been to New Jersey?

Nope not yet, I have some family out there that live fairly close to Chris, so I am pretty sure that one day him I will share a cocktail in his zip code. I have an opportunity to go to New Jersey this month, but I am really swamped with projects right now and would have to do some serious flaking to pull it off, so it will have to be another time.

from "West Long Branch's Pig God is Back," triCityNews, Asbury Park, Thursday August 18, 2005, Pages 20 and 40.

Author Chris Osburn at SPX 2005 (Bethesda, Md) Sept 23-24

2005-08-14T04:54:00.000-10:00

SPX 2005
Small Press Expo
Holiday Inn Select
Bethesda, Maryland
Friday September 23 (3pm-8pm)
Saturday September 24 (10am-7pm)
http://www.spxpo.com/

September 23rd and 24th, I will be exhibiting at SPX 2005, "the preeminent showcase for the exhibition of independent comic books and the discovery of new creative talent." SPX 2005 will bring together over 300 artists and publishers to meet their readers, booksellers, distributors, and each other. I'm looking forward to the opportunity to share my and Randy's work with a wider audience.

In addition to our Kamapua‘a series, I’ll be promoting Untamed Highway as well a new project of my own creation.

If you’re in the D.C. area, stop by and say “aloooha!”

Mahalo,
Chris

T-Shirts, Sweatshirts and Hoodies - SUBSCRIBER DISCOUNT

2005-08-08T12:43:00.000-10:00

For a limited time, a variety of shirts are available online for our SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.

For the next month, we’re only offering these shirts to our subscribers. After September 8, we’re going to raise the prices (about 20%) and offer them to our other readers and to the public in general.

Please click on the link below to check out the graphics that Randy designed especially for these shirts:

http://www.cafepress.com/piggod

Let us know if you have any questions or suggestions.

Mahalo for your support,
Chris Osburn and Randy Bain

August Update

2005-07-31T11:41:00.000-10:00

Aloooha!

We hope everybody’s had a chance to peruse Volume Two and that you enjoyed what you read.

Volume Three will be released in October. But if you’re nice, we may post a sneak peak in the next month or so.

Mahalo to Tiki Jungle

Randy and I would like to send an enthusiastic “E komo mai!” to our newest sponsor – Tiki Jungle.

Tiki Jungle is owned by Vista Botanicals, a full service Landscape Contracting company in Turlock, California in the heart of the Great Central Valley. Tiki Jungle provides excellent service for custom landscape installations, such as design and construction of ponds, streams, and waterfalls, as well as sprinkler system repair, landscape lighting, irrigation controller adjustments, some wood work (fences, privacy lattice), concrete work, patio paving, stone wall installations, and pond maintenance. If you live in or near the city of Turlock or Modesto and are considering any of the above for your yard, Tiki Jungle will gladly help you create paradise in your own backyard!

Check out their website for more details and for examples of Tiki Jungle’s fantastic work:
http://www.tikijungle.com/

Speaking of Volume Three Sponsors …

Randy and I are just about to dive into designing the layout for the third and last volume of the Adventures on Oahu series. There’s still limited space for a couple more sponsors. If you know, own, or work for a business or organization that might be interested in helping sponsor our series, drop us a line and we’ll get the information about submission guidelines and our very reasonable ad rates to you ASAP. The deadline for submitting an ad for Volume Three is August 19. But don’t worry because full payment isn’t required until October 1.

Here are a few good reasons to sponsor the series:

1. For as little as $25, you could find yourself in the company of these great sponsors:

Aloha Island Grille
Gecko'z South Sea Artz
LBD Coffee
Lost-Isle
Maikai Gents
Tiki Farm
Tiki Freaks
Tiki Jungle
WePlanYourTrip.com

2. Our subscriber base stretches from Italy to Japan, with the majority of our readers concentrated in New York City and along the California coast. Our early subscribers range in age from 12 to 82 and are approximately half male and half female. Sales of Volume One are steady. We expect the same for the next two volumes of the series.

3. By sponsoring our Kamapua’a series, you’re helping to keep independent/small press alive!Email kamapuaa@lycos.com for more details.

Mahalo,
Chris Osburn and Randy Bain

Listen to the Sounds of Old Hawaii

2005-07-14T09:57:00.000-10:00

Hankering some evocative background music to play while reading our Kamapua’a series?

Well, allow us to highly recommend “The Wiki Wiki Grog Shop,” the initial release from the Maikai Gents featuring the Mysterious Miss Mauna Loa.

This 53-minute album consists of 16 vintage Hawaiian songs written mainly between 1930 and 1960. From “sentimental” lullabies, such as La La Interlude crooned by ukulele strummer, Iuka Grogg) to “zippy” jaunts, such as Pineapple Princess (adorably sung by the Mysterious Miss Mauna Loa), this album gently transports the listener’s imagination to a secluded island hideaway far from the trials and tribulations of everyday life.

The CD comes with all sorts of nice surprises (a Wiki Wiki Grop Shop house cocktail recipe for example) to make you smile.

To find out more about “The Wiki Wiki Grog Shop” (and to hear sample tracks) visit the band’s website: http://www.mkgents.com/.

Mahalo,

Chris Osburn and Randy Bain

July Update

2005-07-05T13:07:00.000-10:00

Aloha,

We hope everybody's had a chance to peruse Volume Two. As with Volume One, we look forward to your comments, questions, and suggestions.

MySpace Profile

Recently, we created a Kamapua'a profile on MySpace.com. Please have a look: http://home.myspace.com/piggod.

MySpace is "an online community that lets you meet your friends' friends." In only a short time, having a profile on MySpace has led to some meaningful contacts and even a few sales!
If you have (or intend to create) a MySpace profile, we would very much appreciate being added to your friends list.

Take a Ride on the Untamed Highway

In fact, it was through MySpace that we came across Untamed Highway, an underground comic book that “scratches the underbelly of vanished American Pop Culture.” Like our Kamapua’a series, Untamed Highway is self-published by its co-creators, Noah Snodgrass and Shawn Dickinson. Noah and Shawn met over a conversation about Ren and Stimpy and discovered they shared many of the same influences, such as the work of Basil Wolverton, Wallace Wood, Robert Crumb and Ed Roth.

Set in a “mid-century netherworld,” Untamed Highway tells the tale of how Sydney Drake (the story’s protagonist) haplessly stumbles upon the Eye in the Wasteland (a Shriner-esque secret society obsessed with Americana and roadside attractions) in an attempt to evade his arch nemesis, Bananas Barofsky (a thuggish villain permanently trapped inside a gorilla mask).

Untamed Highway #1 is a very fun read chocked full of screwball illustrations. Much of this issue is set in a lavishly illustrated tiki bar called Idol Hans (Hans is the name of the bartender). Every character is, indeed, a character that may be best described with adjectives unfortunately not so en vogue these days, such as dingbat, dimwitted, wacky, and hardboiled.

Yes, this comic is a real gas! And for only $3.95, it’s well worth checking out. To find out more and to view illustrations visit http://www.untamedhighway.com/.

Mahalo,
Chris Osburn and Randy Bain

June Update

2005-06-23T10:53:00.000-10:00

Is the suspense killing you? Well, you’ll have to endure a wee bit longer, but never fear because we’ll start mailing Volume Two next week.

We apologize for not getting Volume Two out earlier this month, but we sort of hit a speed bump a couple of weeks ago - the fella that prints our covers went on vacation to Mexico. Ah yes, the wonderful world of small press publication!

Anyway, we hope you’ll find Volume Two worth the wait. Here’s an excerpt from the Prologue:

Volume One ends with the conclusion of the peaceful season of the Makahiki. Kamapua’a’s kuku admonishes him for his lack of aloha toward those outside his immediate ohana, and Kamapua’a realizes that his kuku is right. However, he represses his guilt only to become more monstrous and more insatiable. His marauding soon grips all of Oahu in fear and suspicion. Intrigued by the chaos and paranoia triggered by Kamapua’a’s ransacking, the war god, Kuka’ilimoku, settles on Oahu.

The illustration takes a darker tone as the plot thickens in Volume Two of Kamapua’a, the Hawaiian Pig God: Adventures on Oahu.

We look forward to you comments!

Mahalo,
Chris Osburn and Randy Bain

Mid April Update

2005-04-23T16:18:00.000-10:00

Volume Two News

So far, everything’s on schedule for the next installment of Adventures on Oahu. The artwork for Volume Two is going to be killer! Look for it in your mailbox this June.

E Komo Mai to Our New Sponsors
Randy and I would like to give our sincere thanks to our newest sponsors:

Aloha Island Grille
Santa Cruz's Aloha Island Grille serves Hawaiian style plate lunches, such as Kalua Pork, Lomi Lomi Salmon, Fresh Ahi Poke, and even Spam Musubi! Check out their website for live music updates and more.

LBD Coffee
Much of the Kamapua’a series was written while under the influence of LBD Coffee. If you’ve never had pure Hawaiian coffee, you’re really missing one of the great pleasures in life. Order some today!

Maikai Gents
Spend an enchanted evening under a bright moon on a secluded beach beside gently lapping waves sheltered by a swaying palm tree as you swoon to the romantic crooning of The Maikai Gents. Their lilting melodies will call you to the shimmering shores of Hawaii and evoke the spirit of the Islands' golden yesteryears.

Tiki Farm
THE Purveyors of Polynesian Pop just keep getting better! Like tiki mugs? Prepare to drool!

And of course, we still truly appreciate the continued support of our original sponsors:

Gecko’z South Sea Artz
Honolulu's #1 Source For Tropical Theme Décor and quite possibly the nicest guy you’ll ever meet!
Lost-Isle
Check out Randy’s 100% natural designs!

Tiki Freaks
Planning a luau or just looking for something to read? Visit the Tiki Freaks website for all your Tiki and Polynesian Pop needs.

WePlanYourTrip.com
WePlanYourTrip.com's latest offering is Travel Diary, an online travel magazine dedicated to bringing out the fun in travel research and trip planning. The premiere edition’s theme is New Zealand!

Check out (Polynesian) Drums along the Hudson

On Sunday May 1, Chris plans to be at the Drums along the Hudson event in Manhattan to watch Makalina's Hawaiian Express. This Polynesian Drumming and Dance group will perform around 4:00 at Inwood Hill Park. For more information, visit the following websites:

http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_things_to_do/upcoming_events/events.php?id=21640

http://www.lotusarts.com/Event_DAHMay2005.htm

Makalina's Hawaiian Express will also perform at the Asian Pacific American Heritage Festival on May 8th at Union Square around 4:50 p.m. Chris hopes to make this performance too. Read more about the Asian Pacific American Heritage Festival:

http://www.capaonline.org/

If you plan to attend either of these events, feel free to email Chris and let him know you’ll be around.

Tiki Oasis

Don’t forget that Tiki Oasis V will be May 5-8 at the Caliente Tropics in Palm Springs, California. A handful of our sponsors (Lost-Isle, Tiki Farm, and the Maikai Gents) will be there. So, make sure to say aloha, if you’re attending the event.

Mahalo,
Chris Osburn and Randy Bain

Rave Review for Kamapua'a!

2005-04-22T11:09:00.000-10:00

Recently, Asbury Park's triCityNews featured an article about our Kamapua'a series, as well as an in-depth interview with yours truly (conducted by triCityNews editor, Steven Froias). Here are some highlights from the Thursday April 21 article, followed by the interview in full:

A lot of cool things cross our desks here at the triCityNews. CDs, artwork, etc. But one of the coolest things to land at 601 Bangs Avenue lately has been a Hawaiian Pig God ... Kamapua'a grabbed our attention from page one and left us wanting more at the cliffhanger finish ... Kamapua'a is best described as a slacker, but a very opportunistic one. He belches and farts his way to hero status by basically being a pig grifter. Will he continue to be rewarded for his misdeeds? Or is retribution on the way? Part two is out in June.

Before then, we'll have to savor Volume One and make do with a look inside the mind of creator Chris Osburn. Here's our look inside the mind that brought Kamapua'a from the shores of Hawaii to the Jersey Shore.

Where'd you write Kamapua'a - Hawaii or Jersey?

I wrote most of the series here in the triCity area: at my home in West Long Branch, on the beach in West End, and at a secret little spot on the river in Rumson.

Are you (or anyone you know) the inspiration for Kamapua'a?

I felt an immediate affinity for Kamapua’a when I first learned about his exploits. I very much related to his appetite and to his oblivious pursuit to satiate that appetite. The entire pantheon of Hawaiian gods could be enraged by some mindless transgression of his, yet Kamapua’a’s most pressing concern would still be “Where’s the luau?” Admittedly, I can be a bit of a glutton myself.

And just as Kamapua’a is led by his snout from one (mis)adventure to the next, I must confess that many of the most significant episodes of my life have just sort of happened as I merrily bumbled along. However, like all mythic tricksters, Kamapua’a’s a pro at thinking on his hooves. I haven’t always been so clever.

On a more sublime level, I’m a big fan of Picasso’s work, particularly his reoccurring theme of the Minotaur, which is analogous of humanity’s struggle to reconcile our awkward position between animal and god (flesh and soul). Coming from a Spanish mindset, Picasso’s half-bull, half-human Minotaur is a perfect analogy. Just as poignantly analogous is Kamapua’a: a half-boar, half-human god rutting his way through paradise, one (mis)adventure at a time.

Do you speak, as well as write, Hawaiian?

Honestly, I only know a smattering of Hawaiian words, and I’m definitely still learning. One of the fun parts of writing this series has been trying to place Hawaiian words within the text and allowing them to stand on context alone. (I hope I’ve succeeded – but, just in case, we’ve included a Hawaiian word glossary in the back of all three volumes of the series).

How long did Kamapua’a gestate before you and Randy put it together?

I had been tempted to write a version of this ancient legend since a 1999 visit to Maui, where I first learned about Kamapua’a. With subsequent visits to the islands, the temptation developed more and more. However, I didn’t put pen to paper until last summer.

And what was that creative process like?

It took quite a while to begin, but once I started writing, the words just flowed. Working with Randy has been a blast (or maybe tropic breeze might be more apropos). He and I "met" at Tiki Central, an online forum for folks interested in Polynesian Pop. He had posted pics of his artwork on the forum, and I liked what I saw. I contacted him via email and asked if he’d be interested in illustrating my text. Unbeknownst to me, Randy, who lives out in Santa Cruz, was well acquainted with the Kamapua’a legend and was already incorporating Kamapua’a into his art. He was stoked to have the opportunity to illustrate this legend with which he felt such a strong connection. Actually, releasing the story as a three volume series was his idea.

Of course, self-publishing our series has presented a plethora of challenges and crises, but it has allowed us to retain creative control and to hone all sorts of skills we didn’t even know we had. Although we speak on the phone regularly and are constantly sending each other emails and packages, Randy and I still have not yet met in person. We’ve developed a great working relationship and friendship – hopefully, one of these days we’ll be able to sit down and have a couple of mai tais together and toast the success of our series.

What audience would you like to reach with the book?

Our subscribers range in age from 12 to 82. Essentially, the series is aimed at anyone who’s a kid at heart. If you have an interest in Hawaiiana or Polynesian folklore, all the better.

A handful of great versions of the Kamapua’a legend already exist. However, most of these works are rather dry, academic or "old fashioned" (i.e. written 100 years ago). What I’ve tried to do in my version is make the story more accessible and fun to read. It's less heady than the above-mentioned versions and delves more deeply into the motives and personalities of the characters, while beefing up the action and suspense inherent to the ancient legend. I've taken some poetic license with the story but I stay true to the legend.

Randy’s illustrations really add to the accessibility and fun too. The best way I know how to envisage his style is to think “Big Daddy” Ed Roth goes Hawaiian.

When do you get to sell the lucrative product rights, ALA Star Wars, et al? Will "Kamapua’a ever end up in a 'Happy Meal'....?

Ha! When Randy and I get to the “our people will talk to your people” stage, I’ll let ya know. Until then, this is a labor of love, pure and simple. We’ve made a miniscule profit so far, and the feedback’s been extremely encouraging.

It would be fantastic if something lucrative resulted from this project.

How is the triCity area like Hawaii?

Hmmm … well, if you’d asked me this question a few weeks back when I was still wearing my winter coat, I might have been a bit harder pressed to answer this question. But let’s see, there’s certainly a strong surfer connection and, once summer hits, a rubbah slippah sensibility pervades the shore. And, if you know where to look, there’s plenty of aloha around here too. Mahalo.

from "West Long Branch's Pig God," triCityNews, Asbury Park, Thursday April 21, 2005, Pages 20 and 38.

April Update

2005-04-08T03:47:00.000-10:00

In this Update:

Tiki Oasis
Sponsor –pua’a
An’ da Winnah iz …
Kama Makes Rare T-Shirt Appearance
Website Updated

Tiki Oasis

Quench your thirst for the exotic at Tiki Oasis V, to be held May 5-8 at the Caliente Tropics in Palm Springs, California. Randy will be there as a vendor. So, make sure to say aloha, if you’re attending the event.

Sponsor – Pua’a

We still have limited ad space available in Volume Two. If any of you subscribers know, own or work for a business or organization that might be interested in helping sponsor our series, drop us a line and we’ll get the information about submission guidelines and our very reasonable ad rates to you ASAP. The deadline for submitting an ad for Volume Two is April 21. But don’t worry because full payment isn’t required until June 1.

Here are a few good reasons to sponsor the series:

1. For as little as $25, you could find yourself in the company of these great sponsors:

Gecko'z South Sea Artz
Lost-Isle
Maikai Gents
Tiki Freaks
WePlanYourTrip.com

2. Our subscriber base stretches from Italy to Japan, with the majority of our readers concentrated in New York City and along the California coast. Our early subscribers range in age from 12 to 82 and are approximately half male and half female. Sales of Volume One are steady. We expect the same for the next two volumes of the series.

3. By sponsoring our Kamapua’a series, you’re helping to keep independent/small press alive!

Email kamapuaa@lycos.com for more details.

An’ da Winnah iz …

Congratulations to KuKuAhu of “Kahiki, Ohio” – the winner of our Kamapua’a Contest on Tiki Central. The idea of the contest was to help us create a contest. Here’s KuKuAhu’s winning contest idea:

Why not submit some images from the [series with blank dialogue bubbles]. A scene with a conversation between characters would be good. Then contestants decide what the characters are saying in the scene and type it in themselves. Funniest interpretation wins.

For KuKuAhu’s winning response, he’ll receive a free copy of Volume One. Around the release of Volume Two (in June), we’ll post his contest on Tiki Central. The winner of that contest will receive a free copy of Volume Two.

Kama Makes Rare T-Shirt Appearance

Check out the T-shirt from the Fifth Annual Original San Francisco Tiki Bar Crawl held back during the first weekend of April.

Yes, that’s our beloved Kamapua’a bringing up the rear. There may still be a few of these left. Click here for details.

Website Updated

By the way, we’ve recently updated the website. Have a look and let us know what you think: piggod.com.

Mahalo,

Chris Osburn and Randy Bain

Mid March Update

2005-03-15T13:18:00.000-10:00

Aloha

Meet Illustrator Randy Bain

On Saturday March 19th from 11:30- 5pm, the Aloha Island Grille in Santa Cruz will celebrate its one-year anniversary! There will be “fun for da whole family” with live music, hula dancing, and of course da kine grinds that’ll make you squeal like a pig fo’ mo’!

Randy will be there with copies of Volume One and more.
Click here for directions to the Grille.

Meet Illustrator Randy Bain (Part 2)

March 31st – April 3rd, Randy plans to attend the Fifth Annual Original San Francisco Tiki Bar Crawl. He’ll have copies of Volume One on hand and will, of course, be happy to talk about the series with other crawlers.

Interview for Volume Two

Volume Two (due out in June) will include an interview of Randy (by Chris). If you have any questions you’d like to ask Randy about the series or his artwork, please post them on the blog or shoot us an email. Volume Three will include an interview of Chris (by Randy).

Freaky Retail!

We’d like to say a heartfelt "mahalo" to Tiki Freaks for adding the Adventures on Oahu series to their fine line of tiki products and for continuing to sponsor our series.

Kamapua'a Contest on Tiki Central

To all you TCers, stay tuned to Tiki Central for a Kamapua’a contest coming soon. To all you Kamapua’a Club members unacquainted with Tiki Central: Come on in, the water’s fine.

Mahalo,

Chris Osburn and Randy Bain
piggod.com

March News

2005-03-01T12:22:00.000-10:00

piggod.com!

Be the first to visit our new website - piggod.com - and if you like it, please tell your friends about it!

Ancient Hawaiian Legend Discovered on Jersey Shore

And while you’re telling your friends about how much you love piggod.com, make sure to mention that if they’re ever in Red Bank, New Jersey that they can now purchase Volume One at Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash. A self-described "geek-free comic book outlet," Secret Stash is a fun place to browse and, as far as we know, the only comic shop with its own web cam. Have a look (maybe you'll catch somebody perusing Volume One).

Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash - East

35 Broad Street
Red Bank, NJ 07701
(732) 758-0508

One-Inch Buttons and More

We've received several folks' compliments about those little one-inch Kamapua'a logo buttons. If you'd like to buy more, they're $1.00 each + $1.00 shipping for every five purchased.

1 button = $2
2 buttons = $3
3 button= $4
4 buttons = $5
5 buttons =$6
6 buttons = $8
7 buttons = $9
8 buttons = $10
9 buttons = $11
10 buttons = $12
11 or more (Contact us for price)

Prices above include shipping.
You can pay by paypal or email us for more payment options.

Also, if there any freebies or merchandise that you think would complement the Adventures on Oahu series, drop us an email or post your thoughts on the blog. We'd love to hear your ideas.

Say Aloha to Our Latest Sponsor

We'd like to say a special thanks to our newest sponsor, the Maikai Gents, California's very own old time Hawaiian crooning band. Word on the beach is that their much-anticipated CD is scheduled to be released very soon. Have a listen at their fun website.

Mahalo,

Chris Osburn and Randy Bain

Where Did It Come From?

2005-02-27T15:08:00.000-10:00

I've certainly enjoyed digging into the first volume. I liked the suspenseful ending and I'm anxiously looking forward to learning how the story unfolds. I think it would be helpful to have a reference regarding the pronunciation of the character names. The glossary of Hawaiian words was very helpful, especially the pronunciation key. I didn't see any for the characters and would love to make sure that mind is doing the names justice as I read the story.

Also, where did the idea come from? I would be interested in a behind the scenes account of how the authors were turned onto the legend and what the motivation was behind this telling. Perhaps a post?

Aloha from Pennsylvania

2005-02-18T16:09:00.000-10:00

I received my copy of Vol. 1 today. Comments are sure to follow. It looks fantastic :)

2005-02-11T04:04:00.000-10:00

Aloha Pig God!
This is great. Can't wait for the first volume to come out.

Aloha!

2005-01-30T16:56:00.000-10:00

This blog is exclusively for Kamapua'a Club members to read about release dates, new merchandise, and more.

It's also a forum for Kamapua'a Club members to post questions and comments about the Kamapua'a, the Hawaiian Pig God: Adventures on Oahu illustrated series and get answers from author Chris Osburn and illustrator Randy Bain.

As a Kamapua'a Club member, you don't have to sign in to blogger.com to check this site (just remember the URL). However, if you would like to post your own comments, you must receive an invitation email from us (don't worry it's free, easy, and harmless).

If you are a Kamapua'a Club member but have not received an invitation email, please contact us so we can get you set up.

We hope you'll find our blog a fun way to share your thoughts about Kamapua'a's adventures with us and with other Kamapua'a Club members.

Mahalo,
Chris Osburn and Randy Bain
kamapuaa@lycos.com