Hula Lamps of Hawaii

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CHARLES MOORE
DBA HULA LAMPS OF HAWAII
74-5599 Luhia St. Unit F-5
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740-1677

Fax 808-331-8533
Local phone 808-326-9583
Toll Free: 1-800-421-5931

E-mail: lamps@aloha.net

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How do I place an order?

We are not currently set up to take orders directly on the internet. Due to the unique and personal nature of such a purchase as well as your ability to customize these lamps to suit your tastes, it is best start with an email or a phone call. Let us know what items appeal to you most and we can put together some information and images to send you. Sending email images is the best way to present visually the numerous options. Once you see what you like you can finalize your order and provide credit card information by calling us toll free. (1-800-421-5931).

Directions: Location "B" is our shop

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Hot cast vs. cold cast bronze...Is there a difference? There most certainly is!

Cold cast bronze is not bronze at all. It is an epoxy, polyester or urethane resin that is blended with small amounts of powdered bronze flakes or may simply be coated in a bronze colored or bronze powder laced finish.

The practice of marketing products in this manner has the potential of misleading individuals into believing that they are indeed purchasing a true bronze. Cold casting bypasses the very lengthy and skillful process of foundry casting and may be an inexpensive alternative for those wanting the look of bronze at a more modest price. Unfortunately this terminology is often abused with sellers receiving inflated prices by preying on the ignorance of people and attempting to sell these bronze substitutes as real bronzes.

Be very careful and get a clear understanding of what you are purchasing if the artist refers to his work as any of the following:

Cold cast bronze
Cultured bronze
Bonded Bronze
Bronze (I have seen in many cases items advertised as bronze when clearly they were not)

Unless an artist or gallery has a working knowledge of bronze casting or is very clear about the method used in the creation of their work be suspicious. Many legitimate artists want to expand their customer base and income by providing an inexpensive alternative to true bronzes and are very clear about the methods employed to create their work. Sadly I have seen a marked increase in the amount of resin cast products being offered for sale and promoted as bronze. It is surprising to see the creative ways that many websites market these cold cast bronzes. I am more surprised by some of the well known artists that license their name to be used on these creations or allow their work to be presented in this manner.

Unscrupulous producers of these pieces will insulate themselves from the deception by mass marketing their products through many independant retailers or online vendors who's only consideration is making a sale by any means possible including misleading terminology, lack of proper descriptions and poor return policies.

Caveat Emptor "Let the buyer beware"

Charles' does not produce any cold cast resin products!

What is Bronze:

Bronze is one of the oldest alloys known to man. The discovery of bronze dates back to 3800 B.C. when its was realized that the addition of a small amount of tin to molten copper resulted in a durable metal. This discovery led to the Bronze Age, a stage of civilization between the Stone Age and the Iron Age marked by widespread use of bronze in the production of tools, weapons and other objects. Soon crafters began using bronze in art. Bronze is one of the most durable metals on earth. It survives wars, earthquakes and volcanoes. Civilizations have vanished but their bronze artifacts are still in existence.

How do I properly care for my bronze?

Caring For Your Bronze Art Pieces

Now that you have purchased your bronze you may think that all that is required of you, as the owner is to admire and keep it safe. This is only part of your responsibility. Whether you purchased this piece for your own enjoyment or as an investment to be eventually sold in the open market, it will eventually find itself in the hands of another at some point. It will outlast all of us and continue to give pleasure and conversation to generations to come.

This bronze alloy is made up primarily of Copper and tin and will behave much the same as copper as it ages. We all know what happens to a beautiful sheet of copper if it is left out in the elements ... it may turn various shades of brown to bright green. This too will happen to your sculpture if you leave it outdoors for any length of time. A sculpture indoor, unprotected may also show signs of these colors in time. To maintain the colors and patterns in the patina of your sculpture, please follow these guidelines.

Wax your piece at least once a year, more often if you live near the ocean or in high humidity areas. Using a soft clean cloth, wipe the surface gently to remove any dust. Use a clean soft paintbrush to get into the detail or texture of your piece. If the piece is extremely soiled, dampen a cloth with water and wipe it clean, do not rub, then dry.

Our bronzes are all coated with a protective coating upon which a thin coat of wax is applied. It is this wax layer you will need to replace from time to time. Using a clean cloth or brush, apply a thin coat of Kiwi ® Neutral Shoe Polish, available from most grocery or drug stores. This wax gives the necessary protection and desired look. I do not recommend using Johnson's ® Paste Wax as it tends to darken some patinas. Allow the wax to dry (two or three minutes), then buff with a clean cloth. Use a soft shoe brush in the textured areas. Do not apply thick amounts of wax.

Never use household cleaners or polishes such as Pledge ® or ArmorAll ®. Never store your bronze in packing materials or boxes for long periods of time. All these materials will permanently alter the coloration of your sculpture.

By following these simple guidelines your sculpture will last several generations.

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How do I ensure the longevity of my piece?

Dear Customer

Thank you for purchasing a hula lamp. I am sure you will find that she is the most interesting piece of functional art you ever buy. You must not exceed an 80-watt bulb (I recommend not over 60watt) with this type of socket. The light and the skirt have separate switches. The switch on the socket operates the light. The switch at the base of the lamp operates the skirt motor; this allows you independent control of the skirt.

She dances by means of an internal motor drive. Please do not abuse its use, as these lamps are not designed for commercial use. The moving skirt is an interesting novelty that will eventually wear out if used excessively. Due to the nature of the patina, excessive use will result in possible wear on the finish. It is best to use it only when you are there to see it move. Do not leave the motor running for extensive periods. You will also notice that the lamp will become warm to the touch after many hours of use, this is normal and poses no danger. If you exercise reasonable common sense in the use of your new hula lamp, you should enjoy years of use without having any trouble with the drive system.

Use only a smooth cloth to wipe the dust off the lamp. In cases, where cleaning is necessary use a lightly damp cloth. Never use any cleaners or abrasives to clean the lamp. Should you ever need assistance with any repairs you can contact Hula Lamps of Hawaii at 808-326-9583

All the parts used in the construction of your hula lamp are UL approved. Be sure to check the lamp for any damage in shipping as soon as it arrives. We use only the best packing but there is no perfect system for ensuring safe delivery. Again just call if there is any problem at all.

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