Talk Story with an Advertiser: Harbor Gallery

Elli and Gunner Mench grew up on farms in the country and were instilled with a hard work ethic.

“I was a poor immigrant child from Germany whose parents spoke no English when we arrived [in the US]. I was lucky enough to have many mentors who helped to guide me with the principles that this great country was founded upon,” says Gunner.

Gunner started working in the gallery in 1996 with the original owner, Dee Chapon, when the gallery was called Kohala Kollection. After recently deceased Peter Tucker and his wife, Lynne, took over in 1998, Gunner stayed on, and after Peter and Lynne retired in 2004, Gunner and Elli purchased the business.

Harbor Gallery has the largest collection of local artwork on Hawai‘i Island, exhibiting the work of more than 200 local artists—nothing made in China.

The gallery has items ranging in price from $4 to $40,000, with artwork and crafts in almost every medium imaginable. From wall art to koa wood furniture; sculpture in wood or bronze; glass; turned and carved wood bowls: high and low fired ceramics and lots of jewelry—including Charms of Aloha, Ni‘ihau lei, earrings, bracelets and more—the gallery has something for everyone.

The gallery upgraded to UV-free LED lighting and the windows are covered with UV protective film, converting into a green space. They also have been using recycled packing materials from clients, other businesses, and neighbors for many years.

During the Winter Wood Show (mid-January to mid-February) and Summer Wood Show (July), Harbor Gallery donates 10 percent of the total sales to the Kohala Watershed Partnership, which is reestablishing an endemic forest from Kawaihae Harbor to the top of Kohala Mountain. More than $30,000 has been donated in the past four years. Gunner and Elli also volunteer their time planting trees.

To ensure the solvency of their artists and the future of their business, Gunner and Elli buy certain inventory and raw materials. “We like to put our money where our mouth is and invest in our local community.”

Harbor Gallery
Open daily 11:30am–8:30pm
Kawaihae Shopping Center next to the Kawaihae Harbor
808.882.1510
gunner@harborgallery.biz
HarborGallery.biz