Spare shapes and a subdued and earthy palette are the mark of Ron Hanatani’s functional ceramic pieces. He says, ” I enjoy making things that people can use in their daily lives.”
Born and raised in Honolulu, Ron graduated from the University of Hawaii at Mano with a degree in geology. He moved to the Volcano Village in 1978 and worked at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory intermittently from 1978 to 1988.
Ron spent 3 years studying ceramics in Kyoto, Japan, and returned home to start his ceramics business, RYH Pottery in 1991. His work is either wheel-thrown or slab-built and fired in a gas or electric kiln. All his pieces are fired to a high temperature and are made to be handled and used.