Eddie Aikau
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 4, 1946 Kahului, Territory of Hawaii, United States |
| Years active | 1959–1978 |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
| Weight | 180 lb (82 kg) |
| Disappeared | March 17, 1978 (aged 31) off Molokai/Lanai, Hawaii, United States |
| Surfing career | |
| Sport | Surfing |
| 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) |
| Disappeared | March 17, 1978 (aged 31) off Molokai/Lanai, Hawaii, United States |
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.