Friston Ho‘okano got into theater on a dare, found that he enjoyed acting, and became a familiar face on the local stage. When Ho‘okano was given the opportunity to get involved backstage as a hair and wig designer he discovered he enjoyed that, too. And, when the lingering effects of a heart attack forced him to take time off from theater entirely in the final months of 2017, he developed an online clientele for his work as a wig stylist — Ho‘okano currently has clients in 45 states. He is also known online as a designer of steampunk jewelry and decor items (visit wigdesignsbyfriston.etsy.com and designsbyfriston.com).
Ho‘okano, 56, renewed his involvement in local theater this month when he was asked to design three elaborate wigs for the Kailua Onstage Arts (KOA) revival production of “Rolling the R’s,” which opened Friday at The Arts at Marks Garage. The show runs until Jan. 20.
You “retired” from theater and have a successful online business. What got you back into theater?
It was the director, Reiko Ho. She only asked for three wigs, but she was very specific about what she wanted — Filipino women of the ’70s, very Imelda-esque. We all remember what Imelda (Marcos) looked like, and (Reiko) wanted the actors to change (characters) onstage so the wigs had to be designed so they could do that.
Looking back at your work before “Rolling the R’s,” is there a show that is particularly memorable?
“Shrek The Musical” at Diamond Head Theatre in 2015. I’m very proud of that show, especially working with LeGrand (Lawrence, who starred as Shrek), and every night doing quick changes with Leiney Rigg when she’d change into the ogre (princess) and then back to the (human) princess.
Can you watch a show without silently critiquing the wigs and the hair design?
I’m sorry, I do that all the time, whether it’s onstage or something on TV or “Ru Paul’s Drag Race.” When I’m seeing a show, that’s the first thing I do, I look at how realistic or genre-correct the (hair) styling is.
Were you surprised there was such a demand nationwide for your work as a wig designer?
I was really surprised (but) there’s not a lot of wig designers around to help people. I have some drag people who come in, but I’m more of a character designer and (my clients) are mostly actors and actresses. It’s all about creating a character so I’m still sort of doing theater but now I’m wigging the nation.
What’s the most fulfilling thing about being a wig designer?
Hearing from cancer patients that my wigs have made them happy. My wigs are very realistic-looking and having on a wig with a realistic hairline makes them so happy. That I can make them happy with what little I have to offer means a lot to me.
What drew you into steampunk fashions?
In the early ’90s I gravitated to Victorian science fiction, which is what steampunk is, and then in late 2010 I started designing jewelry with steampunk elements and selling it online. I was one of the first ones.
Is there something you enjoy doing that isn’t wig- or steampunk-related?
I enjoy keeping a nice home and I enjoy gardening. I work with succulents too. I’ve always been interested in Japanese landscaping and incorporating it into my own yard, (and) I have koi. And this time of year I have several fully decorated Christmas trees in the house.
