Shaka Kai
From the Keys to Hawaii, our founder Elizabeth Perez has always drawn energy from the water. Whether she’s surfing, diving, or just chasing sun across the sand, her passion for the ocean lives in everything we make. Shaka Kai is more than a brand — it’s a movement built on kindness, creativity, and island-born freedom. Every piece is thoughtfully designed to reflect the spirit of the sea and the people who live by it.
Sharing the Aloha Spirit
SHAKA KAI (shäka - kī)
"SHAKA" is all about that "hang loose" vibe, firing out waves of positivity and the Aloha spirit. "KAI," meaning the ocean, refers to connecting us to its powerful yet tranquil energy. Together, they embody the they hype of starting of something new, where every horizon screams adventure.
Embrace The Ocean - Feel The Vibe
The History of the Shaka Hand
Let's explore the origin of the infamous shaka hand, known for conveying, "hang loose," "good surf," and more.
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Diving Bon Bini Na Kas Reef in Bonaire
Lizzie’s Dive Log: 6.12.19 Bon Bini Na Kas was first reef I had the privilege of diving with my new SeaLife camera. After messing around on Spiegal Grove the previous winter, I was eager for the vibrant colors that only a reef dive can provide. What better place to start than the beautiful island of Bonaire? Located in the sunny south Caribbean, Bonaire is a champion of reef preservation and dive tourism. Their national park system, STINAPA, has done an incredible job of preserving their underwater environments since the late seventies. New to the world of underwater photography and REEF Foundation surveys, I set out to record my adventure in a new way. While some moments can never be captured on film, underwater photography opens new doors to appreciate the dive. In my quest to take an amazing picture, I found myself going smaller and smaller. Before, I was only noticing the fish listed on my REEF survey sheets as I would scramble to identify them. Now, I was more concerned with the enchanting patterns of the coral colonies and the strange creatures that called them home. I encountered clusters of Christmas tree worms; which, predictably, look like tiny colorful Christmas trees. I often found myself twisting all sorts of ways to capture the glass gobies that rest on top of coral heads. Bon Bini Na Kas teemed with fish and other sea creatures. As a wall reef, sea fans swayed gently in the shallower top of the reef, with hard corals growing abundantly in the deeper sections. The waters in Bonaire are dangerously clear, allowing you to stray deeper and deeper without realizing it. While this can prove dangerous for SCUBA diving, it doesn’t make the reefs any less alluring. With the reef on one side and endless blue on the other, the wall reefs of Bonaire now hold a special place in my heart. Even afterwards, as I plugged in my camera to review the pictures, each image filled me with almost as much exhilaration as I had while taking it. The memories attached to them came rushing back like the bubbles from my regulator, and I almost felt like I was underwater again. The camera also afforded a valuable opportunity to snap photos of unknown fish for later identification on my REEF Foundation survey.
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The Shaka Kai Guide to Key West
With the warm weather of spring in full swing, you might be seeing a lot of posts from one of Florida’s most popular vacation spots: Key West. We at Shaka Kai are big fans of the southernmost point in the continental United States of America, and have compiled our own little guide of all our favorite grub spots and watering holes for you to enjoy! Key West is a diverse town full of old Florida history (with big names like Ernest Hemingway), exciting night life, and water activities. First things first, Duval Street is where it all happens. All the bars, snacks, and shopping you could need on your vacation will be right on Duval. Whether you come by car or by boat, there are plenty of marinas and parking lots to leave your vehicle and continue the journey on foot. If walking isn’t your style, Key West has a number of rental companies with everything from golf carts and mopeds to bikes and electric scooters. Either way, you’ll be sure to enjoy a classic “Duval crawl.” We like to park near Half Shell Raw Bar to get our day started with fresh seafood and delicious cocktails. From there, you can mosey down to Hog’s Breath for live music and a great outdoor bar atmosphere. If you’re looking to get out of the heat and see one of Key West’s oldest bars, check out Captain Tony’s where you can leave your mark by signing a dollar bill and stapling it to the walls! And, of course, it wouldn’t be a proper St. Patty’s Day vacation without a stop at Irish Kevin’s (remember to wear green!). For boaters, our favorite marina here at Shaka Kai is the Galleon Marina. It’s got the easiest docking experience and is within walking distance of Duval Street. If you’re not able to sleep on your boat, there is also a hotel and restaurant to rest and refuel yourself. This marina can be a great waystation if you’re continuing past Key West and heading to Dry Tortugas. When the day is over, we recommend watching the sunset at Mallory Square. This dockside walkway is the perfect way to wind down after a long day of fun in Key West. Like many other spots in Key West, this is a great place to find local art and discover more of Florida’s history. If you’re lucky, you may even see the green flash as the sun sinks below the horizon. If you’d rather be on the water, be sure to book a sunset cruise for the full experience. Whether you’re a history buff or just love to bar hop, Key West has something for all ocean lovers to experience and enjoy. If you can’t stay in Key West, always remember to drive sober and safe. We at Shaka Kai want you to keep going on adventures and making new memories!
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