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.