Eddie Aikau at Waimea Bay, 1967.
Eddie Aikau is one of the most famous watermen in history. This true Hawaiian Legend was also the first official lifeguard on the North Shore of Oahu: an extremely powerful (naturally and spiritually) place in so ways. Naturally, from the massive waves (50+ feet) that crash on it's shorelines during Hawaii's winter months. Spiritually, from the "mana" that it possesses. In Polynesian culture, mana can be defined as:
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Waimea Bay, on the North Shore of Oahu, is one of the truest representations of mana. Waimea Valley is one of the last partially intact Ahupua`a, and Waimea Bay is a place that can hold a wave that is 50+ feet and still be rideable. Eddie Aikau's bloodline was known as the caretakers of Waimea. A distinction that was entrusted by the most famous King of Hawaii, King Kamehameha I.
In what many refer to as destiny, Eddie Aikau became the first lifeguard hired by the City & County of Honolulu to work Waimea Bay in 1968. During Eddie's watch at Waimea, he had over 500 saves. Not a single person was lost....Eddie Aikau put his life at risk to ensure the safety of many whom he did not even know.
 Eddie on duty at Waimea Bay. |  |
As a surfer, Eddie is the legend behind the local phrase "Eddie Would Go". A phrase that spread around the world due to the fearless connection that Eddie had with the huge surf that rolls through Waimea Bay. The legend states that no matter how big....no matter how heavy and no matter how treacherous the waves were.....Eddie would go. He also won 1977 Duke Kahanamoku Invitational Surfing Championship at Sunset Beach.
The Polynesian voyaging canoe, Hokule'a. In 1978 Eddie participated in a retracing of the Polynesian sailing voyage of the ancient Hawaiians. The sailing vessel Hokule'a uses no modern navigational equipment, only ancient Polynesian techniques that rely primarily on natural elements. In heavy seas offshore in the Hawaiian Island, the Hokule'a capsized. In order to save his fellow crew members, Eddie Aikau took it upon himself to paddle back to shore (approximately 10 miles) to get help. After some 30 hours at sea, the crew was rescued. Tragically, Eddie Aikau was never seen again.
| The Quicksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau is a unique surfing competition that occurs at Waimea Bay. This event pays tribute to Eddie Aikau and his family. "The Eddie" event only runs when the wave heights are in the 30-40ft range (minimum). For more details about this event, please click here. And to learn more about Eddie Aikau and his life please visit The Eddie Aikau Foundation website. |  |
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