At Kaiona Swimwear, we want every print to tell a story, one woven from the rich traditions of Hawai'i and the natural beauty of our islands. We're excited to share a new blog series dedicated to showcasing the inspiration behind our hand-drawn swimwear prints starting with the blue quilt print, an exclusive design that is a love letter to the art of Hawaiian quilting. Inspired by the intricate patterns of traditional quilts and the deep cultural ties between Hawaiians and the sea, this unique fabric print brings a fresh, island-inspired flair to your swimwear collection.
The Legacy of Hawaiian Quilts
Hawaiian quilt-making is an art form that has been passed down through generations, each stitch made with love and intention. Traditionally, these quilts featured symmetrical designs inspired by native plants such as 'ulu (breadfruit) or kukui (candlenut tree), and cultural symbols with deep personal meanings. Our take on a quilt print follows in this tradition, but with an ocean twist—paying homage to two of Hawaii’s most cherished edible seaweeds and the coral.
Hawaiian Seaweed
Meet the stars of our print: limu wāwaeʻiole, known in English as the creeping antler, and limu kohu, the red sea plume. These seaweeds (limu) are prized delicacies in Hawaiian cuisine, particularly limu kohu, which is becoming increasingly difficult to find. Both species are added to fish dishes, stews, and poke to give it a burst of umami flavor. Limu wāwaeʻiole has a beautiful branching shape, while limu kohu, sways with the tide and has a reddish hue. Together, they make up the outer motifs of our quilt-inspired print.
Coral Calyx
Adding a final touch of marine magic is the coral calyx. Corals are the lifeblood of our ocean ecosystem, providing shelter for marine life, protecting our coastlines, and shaping the underwater landscapes we love to explore. The coral calyx is a cup-like skeleton that protects the coral polyp. The central star shape in our Hawaiian quilt swimwear design is an abstract take on this concept, symbolizing the coral as the central piece that is holding the entire design together, also depicting the interwoven harmony of the sea.
Limited-Edition Swimwear Prints
Whether you're riding waves, soaking up the sun, or simply dreaming of the islands, our Hawaiian quilt swimwear print keeps you connected to the beauty and culture of Hawai'i, one bikini at a time. If anyone at the beach asks you about your swimsuit, now you'll have a story to tell.
Keep in mind that all of our ocean-inspired swimwear and limited edition prints are made in small batches. That means we do not do restocks and once a print, size, or style is sold out, it's gone forever. All of our hand-drawn swimwear prints are made using low impact, non-toxic dyes that are safe for the environment and garment workers. The designs are printed on soft, recycled fabric made from plastic waste and sewn into our tropical print swimwear.
We've got a new print in the works, so stay tuned for our next drop!
