Interesting Islanders

Introducing Singlow Lou Thom

By Karen Welsh

Eighty-year-old Singlow Lou Thom is a colorful character. This retired restaurant owner loves to paint flowers, people and a variety of marine life on canvas, hats, banners and whatever else suits his fancy.
He also enjoys motoring around town in his bright red scooter with an even brighter yellow canopy to cover his head from the sun and the infamous Hilo rain.
Yes, he definately stands out in a crowd.
And, that's where he can be found --among people, casting a line and telling colorful fish stories with friends at the Hilo Bay Pier right outside Liliokulani Park.
"I fish a lot," Singlow said. "I have a lot of friends down here that are fishermen. It's nice down here. I love the water."
And, that's what he's done almost everyday for two years since he moved from Oakland, California to the Big Island two years ago.
Singlow worked his entire life in the restaurant business before he ventured to the islands. He started at the bottom and worked his way up to cook and then owner of a popular Chinese restaurant "Sin Ming" in Fremont, California.
"I worked in the restaurant business my whole life," he said. "I worked in those that served Italian, Chinese and American food. I learned a lot."
He retired 14 years ago, but his career meant he was on his feet all the time and that took a toll. After a serious battle with gout, Singlow was left in extreme pain and unable to walk.
As a result, he left the mainland to live near his daughter and to enjoy better weather. It turned out to be the right move, because his time in East Hawaii has proven to be the cure he needed.
"It's very good for my sickness," he said. "Now it's better here. Now it's completely okay. The warm heat give me more to heal."
Singlow decided to pursue his passion for painting when he moved to East Hawaii. He enjoys many art mediums, including black and white, watercolor and oils.
"I paint all kinds of things that I feel like," he said. "I am an artist. I love having the choice of any color. Blue and yellow are my favorite colors, but I also like black because you can mix it with all kinds of color and make it better."
Even when he's in the middle of a painting project, Singlow doesn't stay house bound all day. He always takes time to run errands or to take his fishing pole out for a spin.
"I travel all around Hilo," he said. "It is a nice city and the people here are more friendly. I don't have to travel very far to get where I want to go. I still want to enjoy myself while I can do something about it. I'm independent. I don't rely on anybody. This is my life. It's simple."
Don't expect to see him in a local restaurant, however. Singlow takes care of all his culinary needs on his own.
"I never go out to eat," he said. "I cook my own food. I'm a good cook. A very good cook. Excellent. In my line of business I was the top."
That makes his food colorful too.
Many thanks for brightening up East Hawaii Uncle Singlow. Your presence is a multi-colored present to everyone who comes in contact with you. Aloha!