![]() Kelly Slater and Eddie’s brother Clyde are also among the honored winners. The most recent victor was Greg Long in 2009, with Hawaiian Bruce Irons preceding him in 2004 with an epic shorebreak barrel. Holding out for a minimum of 20-foot waves, the competition doesn’t happen every year, and, in fact, has only happened eight times since its inception in 1985. In honor of Edward Ryon Makuahanai Aikau exists the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau surf competition, affectionately known as “the Eddie.” To open the waiting period, surfers, both ASP tour champions and born-and-bred locals, paddle out to a recreation of the Hokule’a that went under 36 years ago. However, from the devastation arose the community Eddie held so close, strengthened by its resolve to not only remember their hero, but celebrate him. The foremost champion of the newest state was taken from the community he loved much too early. It was a tremendous loss for the surf community, but it was an even bigger loss for Hawaiʻi, and, tangentially, the United States. The ensuing search for Aikau was the largest air-sea search in Hawaiian history. He removed his lifejacket since it was hindering his paddling of the surfboard. Coast Guard Cutter Cape Corwin, Aikau was never seen again. In an attempt to get help, Aikau paddled toward Lanai on his surfboard. Although the rest of the crew was later rescued by the U.S. The double-hulled voyaging canoe developed a leak in one of the hulls and later capsized about twelve miles (19 km) south of the island of Molokai. And as lifeguard and cultural ambassador, he was able to do that. Rather than hide Hawaiʻi from the rest of the world, he wanted to share its natural beauty, and teach everyone why it was so necessary to appreciate the native roots that were often ignored and cast aside by non-natives, namely developers in Waikiki. And while he himself embodied all the values needed to be among the North Shore’s best, riding the biggest and heaviest waves around with a intense passion for the pursuit, he wanted to help others do the same. Surfing is a very individualized sport: it’s an exploration of one’s own limits - physical, mental, and spiritual. ![]() What made Eddie different was, without a doubt, his selflessness. During a nine-year tenure as protector of the hallowed coastline, he attempted over 500 rescues. With a recognized prowess as a waterman, he was appointed lifeguard of the beaches between Sunset and Haleiwa, an appropriate role for the big wave surfer as he often swam into 30 foot swells. Born in Maui, his family moved to Oahu when he was 16, and shortly thereafter he was a North Shore local surfing the gnarliest breaks, his favorite being Waimea Bay. ![]() And it was Eddie’s love for both that led him to paddle out of a maelstrom and into the open sea towards Lānaʻi for help.īut before he went on the courageous rescue mission, his legend was already growing on the islands. And Eddie loved his community: his people his Hawaiʻi. Makua Hanai literally means “feeding parent” in Hawaiian, usually in the description of a fostering parent who nurtures those around them - not only one’s kin, but the community they hold close. His full name, Edward Ryon Makuahanai Aikau, makes it seem as if he was born for his life’s journey.
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