Hawaiian Tropic is an American brand of suntan lotion sold around the world, but more widely available in the United States.
The company was founded by Ron Rice in 1969. With a $500 loan from his father, he mixed the first batch in a metal trash can and bottled it from his home garage in Murray, Kentucky. After rapid success, he became the largest private manufacturer of sun care products in the United States until being acquired in May 2007 by Playtex Products, Inc. When combined with Playtex's other brand of sun care, Banana Boat, Playtex is the largest manufacturer of sun care products in the Western Hemisphere. Shortly after purchasing Hawaiian Tropic, Playtex Products was purchased by Energizer Holdings Inc. in a deal valued at $1.9 billion.
The company sponsored bikini competitions to seek women to serve as spokesmodels for their products. Many winners appeared later in advertising campaigns, swimwear, erotic magazines, and lingerie catalogs.
In late 2006, a company opened a theme restaurant called Hawaiian Tropic Zone in New York City near Times Square, advertised as the "Hottest Place on Earth" and using the Hawaiian Tropic Zone name under license. The restaurant featured waitresses in bikinis designed by Nicole Miller and a menu by chef David Burke. Later that year, four former employees sued the restaurant, alleging chronic groping by managers and a rape. Restaurateur Dennis Riese and nightclub owner Adam Hock have ownership interests in the restaurant. The restaurant closed in mid-2010.
In May 2008, the Hawaiian Tropic Brand celebrated the 25th annual Miss Hawaiian Tropic International model search finals at the Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
Since late 2008, the Miss Hawaiian Tropic International model search has ceased to exist in the United States where the former state directors have transitioned to Swimsuit USA, which is now the official successor. Although Ron Rice sold Hawaiian Tropic, a non-compete clause which was part of the sale expired in 2015 where he got back into the suntan lotion business, establishing Havana Sun which launched in March 2016.
Rebecca DiPietro 2005: Former WWE backstage interviewer on ECW and Playboy model; finalist in Hawaiian Tropic International 2005 pageant Shana Hiatt 1995: Hostess for the World Poker Tour and Playboy modelAshley Massaro 2002: Former WWE Diva and Playboy cover girlCrista Nicole 2001: Playboy Playmate of the Month for May 2001Brooke Richards 1998: Playboy Playmate of the Month for December 1999Suzanne Stokes 1999: Playboy Playmate of the Month for February 2000Lisa Kessous Canadian National Winner, 2000: International Swimsuit Model, Actress and PhilanthropistAshley Massaro 2004: Former WWE Diva and Playboy cover girlMaryse Ouellet 2003: WWE Diva and Playboy modelCrystal Geoffré 2005Cecilia Hörberg 1984: Top 10 at Miss World 1988, representing Sweden.Jennifer Campbell 1989: actress and model.XiXi Yang Miss China 2008: international spokesmodel, U.S. media personality/TV host; appeared in MTV, VH1, and NBC.Casey Reinhardt 2003: former castmember of the second season of Laguna Beach and frequent beauty pageant contestantOther contestants and winners
Gia Allemand: reality television contestant and actress who also appeared in MaximAnna Anka, (née Åberg) Sweden, Top 10 1993: model, actress, author. Married to the musician Paul AnkaMarea Lambert-Barker Australia: actress, TV host, radio announcer, modelXiXi Yang: international spokesmodel, American media personality, TV host, appeared in MTV, VH1 and NBCBrooke Adams, former ECW performerMartina Andrews, Miss Hooters International 2004Michelle Banzer: Miss Kentucky USA 2007Laura Morgan Porter: Miss Tennessee Hawaiian Tropic 2006, 2003 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Cover finalist, one of the three official NASCAR Pit Crew girls from 2009–2011Jillian Beyor: Playboy Cyber Girl, Cyber Girl of Month May 2007, Cyber Girl of Week January 1, 2007, and Coed of Month October 2006Barbara Blank: 2005 model; WWE diva under the ring name Kelly KellyAngel Boris: actress and Playboy Playmate of the Month for July 1996Jennifer Cole: actress and modelLouise Glover: former Playboy Special Editions "Model of the Year"Sandra Hubby: Playboy Playmate of the Month for March 2004Dalene Kurtis: Playboy Playmate of the Month for September 2001 and one of People magazine's 50 most beautiful people in 2004Sung Hi Lee: actress and very popular Playboy Special Editions model, featured in Playboy magazine's "Girls of Hawaiian Tropic" issue in 1995 and the companion videoRochelle Loewen: former WWE diva and Playboy model; made cameo appearances on The Girls Next DoorTilsa Lozano: Miss Playboy TV Latinoamerica & Iberia 2008, Playboy TV actressCassandra Lynn: Playboy Playmate of the Month for February 2006Holly Madison: Playboy model and Hugh Hefner's former #1 girlfriendYael Markovich: Miss International Israel 2012 and Miss Supranational IsraelKalin Olson: Playboy Playmate of the Month for August 1997Jocelyn Oxlade: model, singer, host, FHM Babe (Philippines); turned down a Playboy magazine offer worth $25,000 due to some personal reasons.Kirsten Price: nude model, contestant of the reality program My Bare Lady, porn starTiffany Selby: model and member of the USA National Bikini TeamTiffany Taylor: Playboy Playmate of the Month for November 1998Jennifer Thomas: Washington's finalist in the Miss Hawaiian Tropic USA competition in 2000; professional wrestlerJamie Westenhiser: Playboy Playmate of the Month for May 2005
