Edward Ryon Makuahanai Aikau

Eddie Aikau on dutyLeroy GrannisAccording to Eddie Aikau’s good friend Bill Kauni, once when Bill was out sailing with Eddie’s cousin Carl, a large shark rose near the boat. Bill explains, “The shark turned sideways and you could see his eye, . . . and I told Carl, ‘That’s Eddie! Eddie came to show us he’s okay’”(Coleman 10). Bill believes in ‘aumakua, which are ancestral spirits or guardians, and he believes that in death Eddie is a caretaker of the Hawaiian islands, just like he was in life (10). Edward Ryon Makuahanai Aikau (Eddie) was born into a world of little, at least in the material sense. His dad would take him surfing at the harbor on weekends, and soon Eddie was building his own board from marine ply and surfing the Waikiki Wall. Eddie would grow up to become a champion surfer, the first lifeguard on the North Shore, a peacekeeper in surfer fights, and a symbol for a culture. At age 31, Eddie was lost at sea while trying to rescue his crew during a cultural voyage, and he was never found in spite of the largest air sea search in Hawaiian history (Carroll 9). But even after death, he is loved and honoured because of the life he lived. He showed courage in the face of monstrous surf, and he left an impact that will last forever on the people of Hawaii and watermen around the world. When most people are asked to name a hero, a surfer might not be the first thing to come to their mind. But Eddie Aikau is a waterman who truly deserves the title of hero. Eddie Aikau possessed courage and left a lasting impact for good on the world and therefore is a hero and inspiration.

"Eddie Would Go" printed on a bumper stickerBoardmasters.comEddie Aikau was known for his courage ever since he was a kid. His brother Clyde explains that “He was high risk at an early age” (Surfing Life Story of Eddie Aikau 7). This courageous attitude stuck with Eddie throughout his life. He was fearless in the water, both on and off his duty as a lifeguard. “The local saying, ‘Eddie Would Go,’ refers to his stoke to take on big waves that other surfers would shy away from and his courage to make a rescue in impossible situations” (Remembering Eddie: Biography 2). Around Hawaii and the surfing community, people use the phrase “Eddie would go” to reference Eddie’s amazing courage. Eddie would charge into huge waves to save lives, and thanks to his courage a life was never lost while he was on duty (Carroll 6). This fact is even more remarkable when you realize that from 2005-2014 there have been 23 drownings on the North Shore (State of Hawaii). Nothing could stop Eddie from going out into the surf. Eddie continued to display this courage to the day he died. On the day of his death, Eddie volunteered for a cultural revival trip that would end up going horribly wrong. His ship, the Hokule’a, capsized, and Eddie went for help on his surfboard with just a few oranges around his neck (Dubiel 4). “Aikau insisted on paddling for help -- his target being the island of Lanai, 12 miles to the east -- and at 10:30 a.m., Captain David Lyman relented” (Carroll 9). With his crew stranded twelve miles away from land in treacherous conditions, Eddie paddled off on his surfboard to try to get help. Later that day, the crew was rescued by a commercial plane, but Eddie was never seen again. He died on his surfboard, doing his duty to his culture and crew. Eddie and everyone on the ship knew he would probably never come back, and tried to stop him, but Eddie was courageous and couldn’t let his crew be stranded there. Eddie’s courage has not been forgotten with his untimely death at 31. He died doing what he lived for, courage and culture, and will always be remembered for it.

A surfer wipes out on a huge wave at Waimea Bayyoutube.com 

Eddie's Memorial at Waimea Baytheclio.comEddie Aikau lead a life so impactful and inspiring, he is still remembered and honoured to this day. Eddie has left behind two memorials to his life, the phrase, “Eddie Would Go” and the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau surf contest, the largest big wave surf contest in the world (UPI 2). In fact, the phrase comes from a quote at the contest. The judges and managers of the contest were debating if it was safe to send the surfers out in on this particularly large day. “Knowing Eddie’s love of riding massive surf and charging into the waves to make rescues, [one judge] interjected, ‘Eddie would go.’ The judges agreed, the contest was on, and the phrase stuck” (Dubiel 6). Thus, Eddie left such an impact on the world that he inspired the most prestigious and longest running big wave competition, and it continues today in remembrance of Eddie and what he loved and lived for. Eddie and his contest have inspired others through the phrase, a phrase that inspires confidence and persistence. Other surfers know firsthand how big of an impact Eddie left on the world, as it was the surfing world he dominated the most. Legendary surfer Kelly Slater has said, “It’s amazing the impact he had on the surfing world and Hawaii. It goes beyond surfing, it touches the community at a grassroots level” (Coleman 10). Eddie’s life left an impact of culture, courage, and selflessness on the world, and it has spread past the surfing world and the and the Hawaiian world and to touch everyone. Eddie Aikau may have left us early, but he lives on in the hearts of the many who strive to follow his example.

Surfers come together at the Quicksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau Eventradseason.comEddie Aikau is a surfer who lived and died a life of courage. He left his impact on the world forever, and is a true hero for it. Throughout his life Eddie Aikau was a lifeguard, surfer, friend, and brother. During his time as lifeguard, a life was never lost and he was rewarded with lifeguard of the year. Eddie won the Duke surfing competition and many others. He died celebrating Hawaii on a cultural revival trip, and sacrificed himself trying to save his crew. He was searched for in the largest air-sea search in Hawaiian history. A memorial has been made for him at Waimea Bay, the beach he protected and dominated. Eddie Aikau continues to inspire us all and to this day. He was courageous and selfless, never backing down from a rescue. Nothing could stop him from doing what he loved, surfing. He came from humble beginnings to become one of the most famous people of his time. Eddie stopped fights over waves, kept peace between surfers of different backgrounds, and was a loving brother and friend. He died in the most honourable way possible, saving what he cared about. In short, Aikau’s life was one of great impact and courage. A life that will be remembered and honoured for eternity. Whenever we question whether we have the courage to do what is right, or if we have the skills to achieve our dreams, we just have to think, “Eddie would go.”

Eddie doing what he lovesSurferToday.comWorks Cited

Carroll, Nick. “Surfing A to Z.” Eddie Aikau Biography and Photos | SURFLINE.COM, Oct.

2000, www.surfline.com/surfing-a-to-z/eddie-aikau-biography-and-photos_740/.

Coleman, Stuart Holmes. Eddie Would Go: the Story of Eddie Aikau, Hawaiian Hero and

Pioneer of Big Wave Surfing. Yellow Jersey, 2004.

Source Citation: (Coleman 10)

Dubiel, Rex. “Eddie Aikau – Legend, Lifeguard, and Young Man Who Dared.” Aloha S urf

Guide, 19 Apr. 2003, www.alohasurfguide.com/eddie-aikau-legend-lifeguard-and-young-man-who-dared/.

"Eddie Aikau big wave surfing event returns after 7 years." UPI News Current, 26 Feb. 2016.

Student Resources in Context,

https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A444307206/SUIC?u=powa9245&xid=3d84e8aa. Accessed 4 Feb. 2018,

Eddie Aikau Foundation. “Remembering Eddie: Biography.” Eddie Aikau Foundation, 2006,

www.eddieaikaufoundation.org/eddie.htm.

Galanis, Dan. “Water Safety and Drownings in Hawaii.” Health.hawaii.gov, State of Hawaii, health.hawaii.gov/injuryprevention/files/2015/08/wsocon15a.

SurferToday.com, Editor at. “The Surfing Life Story of Eddie Aikau.” SurferToday,

www.surfertoday.com/surfing/8131-the-surfing-life-story-of-eddie-aikau