Honolulu Weekly

Deck the Halls / The holiday season is largely about gift giving, but how often do you have the chance to step up and give something life-saving? In August, Kenneth Brimer, an artist and a regular figure in the local skate scene, was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia at the age of 36.

Despite his serious diagnosis, in emails last week Brimer had that blissed-out tone that so many board-riders seem to have down pat.

“I know I shall overcome this,” he wrote. “It is important to have a positive outlook in life and to surround yourself with good people.” Brimer has done just that.

Brimer is fighting his way back toward health, and with the recent news that City of Hope Hospital found a bone marrow match for him, there is hope this holiday season.

“There’s no way I’m going to let this illness steal away my dreams and livelihood,” he wrote. “I’ve been skateboarding most of my life, it is my passion. For the love of life and skateboarding, I plan to keep on living each day to the fullest, and I definitely plan on skateboarding for the next 36 years, and more!”

During this joy-spreading month of December, Lightsleepers is hosting Deck the Halls, a skateboard-deck art show to help raise some dollars for Brimer’s healthcare costs.

Thirty artists, including Matt Tapia, R-Zone, Evil Genius, Shaun Castro, Lucky Olelo, Angry Woebots, Pancho Abalos and Mako Ozaki, donated their time and creativity to design some impressive decks, which were initially offered up for sale at the opening shindig last Friday.

The unique works are on display at throughout the month and you can still purchase one–so long as it hasn’t already been claimed. Go experience the creative process that was kicked into gear by a friend in need. That’s what gift giving is all about.

Shaun Castro Art Show from Prolifik Projects on Vimeo.