Who's tougher than a boy but hotter in a bikini?

We are wrapping our month of giving thanks with our inspiring leader, Taryn! She's one of the toughest women we know, leading KaiKini fearlessly to spread aloha and conquer the bikini world; but she's also got a heart of gold and rocks a bikini like no one else we know! Let's catch up with the head KaiKini Wahine as we give thanks for this beautiful life we live!

Name: Taryn Rodighiero
KaiKini Position: CEO/Founder/Creative Director AKA "Da Boss"

What’s Your Sign: Cancer (July 19)

Hometown: La Cañada, CA

Favorite Color: Red

Favorite KaiKini at the moment: Plum Shell Bandeau & Kahuna Bottoms

Any secret talents?

I'm an excellent water skier!


Words to live by:
Do it with passion or not at all.

Top 3 destinations on my bucket list:

Bali - New Zealand - Antarctica (to see the glaciers)

Most expensive item I've ever bought?
Does KaiKini HQ count? :)

Cutting the ribbon with hubby Tyler at our new
KaiKini HQ!

Best way to stay fit:
Outrigger Canoe Paddling & Bikram Yoga

What do you collect?
Yoga shorts & Bikinis

Name the best thing about living on Kauai:
The lifestyle and sense of community. I've never lived anywhere that people genuinely wanted others to succeed as much as they do here. We all help each other succeed. Businesses collaborate and promote each other rather than compete.

Collaboration with Kauai designers to put on our
Grand Opening fashion show!

Such an honor to share the
runway with Louda Larrain!

Last book I read?
#Girlboss

What inspires me?
Success stories. I love reading about people that accomplish things that seem impossible.

Best gift I've ever received:
Taeya

Best. Gift. Ever.

Meet the Meanest employee at KaiKini

Okay... maybe she's not really the Meanest... but her nickname IS Mina! Our a capella singing, paper-cutting, cookie baking, stranger-than-strange(-in-all-the best-ways) movie critic does more than help sew each and every bikini - she makes sure they all meet our rigid quality standards and look perfect before reaching your mailbox. With her artistic flair she's also great at helping solve design problems and has helped bring some of our newest styles to life! Hooray for mean girls! Read on to learn more about why we're so thankful for Miss Mina...

Name: Marina Loew

KaiKini Position: Quality Control Manager & Seamstress AKA The Cookie Monster

What’s Your Sign: Cancer (June 25)

Hometown: Dryden, NY

Favorite Color: Fall Colors (at the moment!)

Favorite KaiKini at the moment: Kahuna bottoms!

Favorite thing about working at KaiKini: Other than the awesome group of girls I work with, I’d have to say that one of the awesome things about KaiKini is that it’s the first job where I've been able to put my art degree to good use. Education money NOT wasted!

What’s the last book you read? 

“Ready Player One” by Ernest Cline. As a closet gamer and RPG addict, I LOVED it! 

Stripper Name (middle name + first road you lived on):
Sophia Lake…which sounds more like a cross between a stripper and an opera singer

Theme song at the moment?
I’m currently on a sick-of-all-my-music-especially-if-it-has-words kick (yes, random), so I’m gonna go with one of my favorite songs from the Amélie soundtrack, “Comptine d’un autre été, l’après-midi” by Yann Tiersen.

Any secret talents you’d like to reveal?
Not really a secret, but I've been a weaver since I was two and used to teach classes back in high school. I've got my own floor looms and everything.

What inspires you?
Art. Particularly from the Renaissance and Art Nouveau eras. And the amazing brush strokes of the Impressionists.

What are your hobbies outside of making bikinis?
If you haven’t guessed it yet, it’s making art. Knitting, painting, paper cutting, needlepoint, lithography, encaustic, carving, beadwork…if it’s a form of art, I’m doin' it.

Favorite way to stay fit?
Outrigger paddling. The main reason (other than Kaikini, of course!) that I’m still here on Kauai.

Halloween, Thanksgiving or Christmas?
Can I answer “Hallothanksmas”?

Any secrets you’d like to reveal?
I joined an ocean outrigger club to face my fear of big waves.

What’s your favorite childhood memory?
Sappy answer, but my sister is my favorite childhood memory. Having ‘bull fights’, designing our own parachutes and testing them out on our dolls by throwing them off the balcony, water ballet in the St. Lawrence, getting buried in the ditch by the snowplow, bribing her with my stashed Halloween candy…we've been on a lot of adventures. Love you, sible!

What are you giving thanks for?
My island ohana; for embracing me so warmly and making me feel at home even when I'm so far from it.

The finishing touch that makes all the difference...

Meet the other half of our dynamic-sister-duo, Kim! No bikini would be finished without 'Trim'-berly's final touch - she's the last stop for each and every bikini that comes through production! Let's take a time out with our favorite fan-girl and give thanks for her help making each and every KaiKini look perfect!

Name: Kim Oakes

KaiKini Position: Seamstress AKA Fan Girl Extraordinaire

What’s Your Sign: Gemini (June 8)

Hometown: Sterling Heights, MI

Favorite Color: Orange

Favorite KaiKini at the moment: Black Halter & Brown Cheetah Kai

Favorite thing about working at KaiKini: That my sister works here and I get to see her EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. (ok.. maybe that's not the best part) My favorite thing about KaiKini is that it never feels like work. I get to do something I enjoy all day while hanging out with my favorite girls! <3

Theme song at the moment:
Vacation - The Go-Gos

Favorite dessert:
Any kind of ice cream!

Favorite food:
Sushi, or any kind of sweets!

Celebrity crush:
Big Time Rush Boys (I can't decide which one!)

I'll take one of each please!

If you could marry a cartoon character who would it be?
Johnny Bravo :) Whata hunk!

Favorite way to stay fit:
Staying away from Marina's delicious treats! (Yes, Marina brings us cookies and other delicious)

Best words to live by:
LIVE IT UP.

The perfect day is...
Having no plans, yet filled with adventure!

Enjoying life on a beach in Hawaii...

Best thing about living on Kauai?
Sun all the time!

How many bikinis do you own?
Oh my... way too many. But never enough.

What's your favorite time of day?
As I'm laying in bed to fall asleep!

What are you giving thanks for?
For having such an amazing sister, Kristen. (Okay maybe Kristen put her two cents in on this one too...) haha! I am thankful for my family. Without them I wouldn't be where I am today. They are great supporters with anything I decide to do in my life.

How does a gangster from Detroit end up as a seamstress?

Meet the KaiKini Wahines! Today we're giving thanks for our resident comedian and girl of many talents, Kristen. This little blonde bundle of joy hails from the 'burbs of Detroit and she brings a taste of the city to this quiet little island lifestyle. We love her to pieces! You're going to love her special talents - read on below!

Name: Kristen Oakes

KaiKini Position: Production Manager & Seamstress AKA The Closet Gangster

What’s Your Sign: Aquarius (Feb 2)

Hometown: Sterling Heights, MI

Favorite Color: Pink

Favorite KaiKini at the moment: Magenta Sport Top & Aloha Kahua Bottoms

Favorite thing about working at KaiKini: That we are such a close family here and I get to come in and work with my friends!

If you could marry a cartoon character, who would it be?
Aladdin - Middle Eastern & Tan :)

Who's your favorite Disney Princess?
Ariel - The Little Mermaid

Secret talent:
Bursting into random song & dance


Words to live by:
Learn from yesterday, Live for today, Pray for tomorrow.

The perfect day is...
My birthday of course! And I'd have to say April 25th. Because it's not too hot, not too cold, all you need is a light jacket. (Props if you can name this movie reference)!


Halloween, Thanksgiving or Christmas?
Halloween all the way!

Vodka, Rum, Whiskey or Tequila?
Whiskey girl!

Theme Song at the moment:
Beer in Mexico - Kenny Chesney (Somebody's leaving for Cancun in 24 hours!)

What inspires you?
Money inspires me to be rich...

If you won the lottery, what would you do?
Travel the world in a private jet (after accomplishing world peace, of course!)

Name 5 things you can't live without:
Wifi, My Laptop, Sunshine, Love & my Family (Does that make me sound like a better person? hehe)

What are you giving thanks for?
Living in Hawaii and my parents – without them I don’t think I ever would have moved to Kauai to start a life!

What happens when a girl from Kansas ends up in Hawaii?

She turns into a mermaid! Well, almost... :)

This month, in honor of one of our favorite holidays, we're giving thanks for the KaiKini Wahines: the ladies behind the bikinis. Kauai brought five ladies from all over the US to this little piece of paradise with one passion in common - making the best bikinis. This week we're giving thanks for Andrea, our Sales Manager and resident bikini tester.

Going for a swim with my Pakala shark-dog

Name:  Andrea Rayne

KaiKini Position:  Sales Manager AKA The Smooth Operator

What’s Your Sign:  Scorpio (Oct 27)

Hometown:  Solomon, KS

Favorite Color:  Red

Favorite KaiKini at the moment:  Don't make me pick!! Anything with our Aloha Print!

Favorite thing about working at KaiKini: These girls – we all say it, but we really are family and I love them like crazy. I also have a slight bikini addiction, so getting to see these beautiful creations come to life is really rewarding!

Favorite Food?

Put cheese on it and voilà!

Vodka, Rum, Whiskey or Tequila?

Tequila. every. time.

What’s something you collect?

Shells, beachglass, coral, rocks... anything I can find beach-combing. Oh, and bikinis.

Favorite way to stay in shape?

Running is death - I don't know how people do it. Gyms scare me. I've found my happy place with yoga & surfing.

Still smiling after getting worked

How many bikinis do you own?

Over 100. You could say I'm working at the right place. ;)

Bikini Trend you wish would go away...
Crochet. Pretty, but quite possibly the least functional material you could make a bikini from. And don't get me started on these one-piece suits with high cut legs circa 1980. Just stop. Please.

What’s your favorite childhood memory?

Christmas - everything about it. Decorating - The build up around it... (opening my presents before the day and re-wrapping them so my parents wouldn't know) - family coming together - laughter, joy, warmth & delicious food!

Top 3 things on your bucket list?

New Zealand - Northern Lights - Swim with sharks (no cage!)

Best thing about living on Kauai?

Endless Adventure and living in a constant state of wonder. It's truly never-never land - I feel like I never have to grow up!

What are you giving thanks for?

Happiness - living in this beautiful place that reminds me daily I have so much to be thankful for - my family, friends and to get cheesy for a second... my hubby. :)

Congratulations Grand Prize Winners!

Our Grand Prize Winners Priscilla & Mariah are made for adventure and have been #spreadingaloha all over Kauai for the past couple weeks! They each will be receiving a tour of our new headquarters and 5 custom bikini sets!

Want in on the fun? Our Bucket List is far from complete! We have 4 Location Prizes left right here on Kauai (see below for rewards available) and we'll be expanding to the other Hawaiian Islands and around the US & World next, so stay tuned!

HANALEI PIER: Take a pic on the pier with 2 other girls wearing a KaiKini *all of you wearing KaiKini* 

KILAUEA LIGHTHOUSE: Take a unique perspective pic in front of the lighthouse (make it look like your holding the lighthouse in your hand, etc.)

REWARD (still available): I ♥ Kauai tank top + Hand-painted KaiKini trucker hat

KAPAA BIKE PATH: Take a pic riding a bike anywhere on the path with the ocean in the background

SECRET FALLS: Take a pic at Secret Falls with a rock tower and the falls in the background 

REWARD (still available): Custom Bikini Set & Tour the New KaiKini Headquarters 

KILOHANA TRAIN: Take a pic riding the train in your KaiKini

REWARD (still available): Bikini Top of your choice

MENEHUNE FISHPOND OVERLOOK: KaiKini Love! Take a pic at sunset kissing someone special at the overlook 

SPOUTING HORN: Take a pic in front of the spouting horn (must be spouting) and there must be a chicken in the picture too! 

HANAPEPE SWINGING BRIDGE: Take a pic on the bridge wearing your favorite KaiKini 

REWARD: I ♥ Kauai tank + 30% Off your next order

PIHEA LOOKOUT - WAI'ALE'ALE SIGN: Take a pic next to the famous "wettest spot on earth" sign doing a yoga pose

NAPALI COAST FROM THE WATER: Take a pic anywhere on the Napali Coast from the water holding up double shakas! (You can be on a Kayak, on a tour boat, sailboat, doesn't matter as long as you're on the water!)