Eddie Aikau

Eddie Aikau

Oahu with its huge sea waves has long been acknowledged as the birth place of surfing. He'e nalu as surfing is known in the Hawaiian language has been around for ages. The earliest reference to it is found as petroglyphs on lava rocks. There are many chants dating back to 1500s about surfing. These chants narrate stories of great feats that the surfers had. References have also been found in the journals written by Captain James King, 1779. Surfing as we know has been around for quite some time. Here is a little background on surfing history.

The Hawaiian Tradition of Surfing

In ancient Hawaiian society, surfing pervaded every aspect. It touched the social structure, religion and even myths. Surfing was done on long narrow hardwood boards.

Surfing was such a major part of the ancient Hawaiian society that it even finds mention in the code of taboos, kapu. The Kapu defined the social strata, the royals and the commoners. The surf zones were not untouched from these taboos. Specific beaches were allotted to the chiefs, ali'I and the commoners, maka ai nana, could use beaches specified for them only.

The Demise of Surfing

The play activities of Hawaii, surfing, hula and others saw a decline during the 1820s with the advent of Christian missionaries. They imposed a puritanical code and work ethics. The Kapu system was overthrown by the favorite queen of Kamehameha, Ka'ahumanu and the beaches were freed for everyone, but for more than 150 years no one enjoyed them.

The Resurrection of Surfing

Three non-Hawaiian men were responsible for the resurrection of surfing in the 1900's. Visitors to the Waikiki beach were amazed by the surfing stunts performed by George Freeth on the great waves of Oahu. At the same time international audiences wee introduced to this adventure sport through the writings of Jack London. At around the same time Alexander Hume Ford found the Outrigger Canoe Club on the beaches of Waikiki. Freeth was responsible for bringing surfing to California. Surfing was taken to Australia by Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, native Hawaiian, who was an Olympic swimming champion.

By the 1960's the ancient sport of Hawaii became a cult in itself a huge industry was built around it which included equipment, surf wear, accessories, books and magazines, adventure vacations, music and films.

Big Wave Competition

The quicksilver, Big Wave Invitational In Memory of Eddie Aikau is held every year in the winters. It is held at Waimea Bay. It has been a tradition since 1985. it is in memory of Eddie aikau who gave his life to save the lives of fellowmen.

Oahu-the king of surfing.

Oahu is undoubtedly the best place in the whole world to surf. The waters maintain ideal temperature throughout the year and there are at least, if not more 1700 mapped sites for surfing. The best waves in Oahu range from gentle rollers of Waikiki to massive body crushers on the north shore.

Find out more info on popular Oahu vacation packages as well as top 10 destinations at http://oahu-myguide.com

Eddie Would Go $9.99 In the 1970s, a decade before bumper stickers and T-shirts bearing the phrase Eddie Would Go began popping up all over the Hawaiian islands and throughout the surfing world, Eddie Aikau was proving what it meant to be a "waterman." As a fearless and gifted surfer, he rode the biggest waves in the world; as the first and most famous Waimea Bay lifeguard on the North Shore, he saved hundreds of lives from its treacherous waters; and as a proud Hawaiian, he sacrificed his life to save the crew aboard the voyaging canoe Hokule'a. Eddie Would Go is the compelling story of Eddie Aikau's legendary life and legacy, a pipeline into the exhilarating world of surfing, and an important chronicle of the Hawaiian Renaissance and the emergence of modern Hawaii.

Quiksilver Boys Petro Pride Boardshort (Revolution Red) $40 Own a piece of surfing history--with the 26the¡anniversary Quiksilver Eddie Aikau board shorts. These trunks will only be available for a limited time, so get yours today!e¡

Eddie $9.99 When young Eddie is falsely accused of destroying the Judge’s chicken coop, his adopted parents give him two days to find the true culprit. Guided by logic, but entranced by the poetry of the paranormal, Eddie seeks to solve the mystery, along the way meeting Captain Mephisto, a darkly unusual magician. With help from his Raven and the prodding of a mischievous imp, McCobber, it is no wonder that Eddie grows up to become a master of the macabre. Scott Gustafson crafts a finely wrought portrait that is both humorous and touching. Coupled with his stunning gothic illustrations, Eddie is sure to win fans young and old.

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Quiksilver Boys Aikau Wallet (Black) $16 Cool kids clothing and accessories from Up & Riding.

Eddie - $8.99 In this comedy, a basketball fan figures she could be a better coach than the guy getting paid millions to do the job -- and then gets the chance to prove it. Edwina "Eddie" Franklin (Whoopi Goldberg) is a limousine dispatcher and sometime driver who is a passionate New York Knicks fan; she loyally follows their every move, attending as many home games as possible from the cheap seats and radioing game updates to her drivers when they play during her working hours. The Knicks are purchased by eccentric Southern millionaire Wild Bill Burgess (Frank Langella) in the middle of a long losing streak; when Wild Bill calls for a limo, Eddie arranges to drive him herself, and gives him a piece of her mind about the sad state of the team. Impressed, Wild Bill makes Eddie an honorary coach for the night, and her spitfire attitude and encouragement of the players impresses her. However, Wild Bill thinks putting on a show to boost attendance is more important than having a winning team, and eventually Knicks coach Bailey (Dennis Farina) quits in disgust. Wild Bill gets the bright idea of hiring Eddie as the team's new head coach; she considers it an honor, and at only $50,000 a year, he considers it a bargain. While Eddie is hardly an experienced leader, she soon learns how to motivate her team, and against all odds she helps pull the Knicks out of their losing streak -- but now has to face Wild Bill, who is losing interest in the team and wants to sell. Several real-life NBA stars make cameo appearances, including Dennis Rodman, John Salley, Rick Fox, and Mark Jackson, while prominent New Yorkers David Letterman and Donald Trump play themselves. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Eddie Pollo $19.99 Eddie Pollo - Premium Poster

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Cowboy Eddie $24.99 Cowboy Eddie - Photographic Print

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Eddie Cochran $7.99 Eddie Cochran - Photo

Eddie Pope $39.99 Eddie Pope - Photo

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VAS Entertainment Eddies Day DVD (0) $25 The Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau event director George Downing has made a famous statement: In Downing's words, The Bay calls the day. That call has been made only seven times in the past 23 years. It's as if the ocean itself is determined to keep this event . The winners - Clyde Aikau, Keone Downing, Noah Johnson, Ross Clarke-Jones, Kelly Slater and Bruce Irons all possess extraordinary skills in the ocean. Each has had a peak day at Waimea Bay, when paddling power, fitness, wave selection, surfing equipment, confidence and courage have all come together. The Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau we know has a forerunner: the Eddie Aikau Memorial, held in 1986 in beautiful 10-foot surf at Sunset Beach and won by local ripper Denton Miyamura. It was a lot of fun, but Quiksilver's Bruce Raymond and Bob McKnight saw a chance to create a true surfing classic. In concert with the Aikau family, today's dramatic, humbling challenge was mounted. Each Hawaiian winter, a select group of invitees chosen by polling among big wave experts and riders alike would be welcomed to Waimea Bay at the start of a three month waiting period. If the Bay called the day, they would be there.