Eddie Aikau

Eddie Aikau
Personal information
Born	(1946-05-04)May 4, 1946 Kahului, Territory of Hawaii, United States
Disappeared	March 17, 1978 (aged 31) off Molokai/Lanai, Hawaii, United States
Residence	Kahului, Hawaii, United States
Height	5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight	180 lb (82 kg)
Surfing career
Years active	1959–1978
Sponsors	Polynesian Voyaging Society
Surfing specifications
Stance	Regular (natural) foot
Favorite waves	Waimea Bay (North Shore, Oahu), Sunset Beach (North Shore, Oahu), Pipeline (North Shore, Oahu)

Edward Ryan Makuahanai Aikau (May 4, 1946 – March 17, 1978) was a Hawaiian lifeguard and surfer. As the first lifeguard at Waimea Bay on the island of Oahu, he saved over 500 people and became famous for surfing the big Hawaiian surf, winning several awards including the 1977 Duke Kahanamoku Invitational Surfing Championship. The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational ("The Eddie") is named in his honor. He was also a crew member on the Polynesian voyaging canoe Hōkūleʻa.^[1]