Eddie Aikau

Eddie Aikau

Surfer/Waterman

May 4, 1946-March 17, 1978

Age 32

Manner of Demise:  Lost At Sea

In Hawaii, written on walls, seen on bumper stickers, and on the lips of locals when up against long odds, is the phrase, “Eddie would go.” 

“Eddie” is Hawaiian waterman Eddie Aikau. One of the first to surf the massive 30’ waves of Waimea Bay on the North Shore of O'ahu, and the first lifeguard stationed at Waimea Bay as well, Eddie Aikau in death became an icon in the renaissance of Hawaiian culture.

In March of 1978, Eddie was selected to be a crew member on the Hokule’a, a twin hulled Polynesian sailing canoe scheduled to sail from Hawaii to Tahiti. On the first night of the 2500 mile voyage, the Hokule’a ran into a storm and capsized. After hours of waiting and drifting farther out of shipping lanes and flight paths, Eddie volunteered to paddle his surfboard to Lana’i, one of the smaller Hawaiian islands and more than 20 miles in rough water. 

One of the principal rules of sailing is never leave the ship. A boat, even upside down, is still easier to spot than a lone person in the water. But after much debate, the crew felt Eddie would be able to make the 20 mile journey. Eddie would go. In his foul weather gear and armed with a knife, whistle, bag of sugar cubes, and strobe light and wearing a life jacket, Eddie paddled toward help.

After a short distance, many crew members saw Eddie stop and discard his life jacket. He then continued to paddle toward Lana’i

Within 24 hours, the crew was spotted by a passing plane and rescued. Eddie Aikau was never seen again.

Amelia Earhart

Amelia Earhart

Pilot

July 24, 1897- July 2, 1937

Age 39

Manner of Demise: Lost in flight

“Lady Lindy,” Amelia Earhart was a pioneer in the field of aviation for women, and over her career, she set many records for both speed and distance flown. She was a champion for women’s suffrage, and a popular writer and speaker.

After moving to California in 1920, Amelia attended an “Aerial Meet” in Long Beach. The following day, she boarded an open cockpit biplane for a flight over Los Angeles. Soon thereafter, Amelia took flying lessons and then purchased her first plane. By 1922, Amelia set her first flying record.

Though officially she was the “Commandeer,” Amelia’s first transatlantic flight was as passenger in 1928. Between 1928 and Amelia’s first solo transatlantic flight in 1932, Amelia flew cross-country, organized competitions for women pilots, and created the “Ninety-Nines,” a women’s pilot’s organization of which she was also president.

When she next flew across the Atlantic, she flew alone. This time, she not only set a record for being the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic, she also was the fastest.

The only thing left was to fly around the world.

Departing from Los Angeles, California on May 21, 1937, Amelia and navigator Fred Noonan headed eastward for the first leg of their attempt to circumnavigate the globe. Battling equipment difficulties, foul weather and dysentery, Amelia and Fred arrived in New Guinea on June 29, 1937. Amelia had logged 22,000 miles and had 7000 more to go.

On July 2, the pair left New Guinea for Howland Island. Several radio transmissions suggest that Amelia and Fred were off course. Hypotheses abound on what happened next, but no one was to see Amelia Earhart alive again.