KALAHEO — If you are in need of a visit to your local barbershop, wait a bit longer. On Saturday, April 9, The LAB Salon in Kalaheo hosts a “cut-a-thon” in honor of Eddie Kamashita, who closed his barbershop last
KALAHEO — If you are in need of a visit to your local barbershop, wait a bit longer. On Saturday, April 9, The LAB Salon in Kalaheo hosts a “cut-a-thon” in honor of Eddie Kamashita, who closed his barbershop last year after he was diagnosed with cancer.
Kristy Love, owner of the salon, and barber Emmanuel “Mani” Sanchez will offer old-fashioned barber cuts and shaves from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the salon.
Proceeds raised from the event will be donated on behalf of Kamashita to Relay for Life, which is on April 30 in Hanapepe.
In addition, a donation box will be available for anyone who wishes to drop off money or cards to Kamashita.
Kamashita, who Love describes as a private man, will not be at the event.
“Eddie’s was extremely popular. People were very sad when he closed, so it’s really exciting to revive the barbershop but still have the foundation of what Eddie brought,” Love said.
Kamashita worked solo at his Kalaheo barbershop, Eddie’s Hairstyling, for 15 years before he closed his doors last year.
In September, Kamashita approached Love, who owns a beauty salon behind the barbershop, about taking over the space.
“I told Eddie I would be happy to take it over,” Love said. “He’s a man of few words, but he told me ‘Don’t make it look too girly.’”
Love spent four months refurbishing the space before she re-opened the barbershop.
In honor of Kamashita, Love kept the name “Eddie’s Hairstyling & Barber” and preserved his original barber chair.
“We have old cowboys literally riding their horses, and they are so happy because they love coming to Eddie’s,” Love said. “It’s an old-fashioned barbershop. Guys can get straight razor shaves and get the whole barbershop experience.”
During the remodeling, Love’s goal was to put a modern twist on the old-fashioned barbershop. As part of her vision, she brought in Sanchez, who specializes in design cuts.
Love was raised in Kalaheo, but moved to Los Angeles to work in the entertainment industry. After she gave birth to her son, Love moved back to Kalaheo with her husband to raise their child. She opened The LAB Salon in February 2010. LAB stands for Love, Art, Beauty.
“Love is my last name. Art is what I do — my work is art — and there’s beauty. I love making people feel beautiful.”
In her modern salon, which is connected to the barbershop, Love features a rotating gallery of art from Kaua‘i artists.
“I took a real big chance in opening, but I knew that the community needed something that made them feel good,” Love said. “I just knew it could work, and I figured I might as well try.”
Prices begin at $15 for men’s cuts and $30 for women’s cuts. Even though Love admits her prices are “ridiculously low,” she wanted to keep her services affordable, especially for Kamashita’s old clients.
“It’s amazing on how many lives he touched,” Love said. “Eddie is a Kaua‘i guy. He has that local spirit, and people just loved him.”
The LAB Salon is located at 2-2494 Kaumuali‘i Hwy in Kalaheo, next to Kalaheo Flowers. Visit www.LoveArtBeauty.com or call 332-5000 for more information.
• Andrea Frainier, lifestyle writer, can be reached at 245-3681, ext. 257 or afrainier@ thegardenisland.com.
