Eddie Aikau was the first ever offical lifeguard at Waimea Bay, on Oahu's North Shore. Still healing For Myra Aikau, who's still grieving after 20 years, the loss still aches. Nine years later, he was an Eddie Aikau Invitational champion. Not one life lost "The hardest part, looking back, the hardest part was not seeing the body," she said. Eddie was born on May 4, 1946 in Kahului, Maui. 3. Aikau, who died in a rescue attempt following the capsizing of the Polynesian voyaging canoe Hokulea in 1978, is one of the best-known, least known figure in surfing history. Aikau, a lifeguard and surfing champion, was born on the island of Maui on 4 May 1946, before moving with his family to Oahu in 1959. His parents were Solomon and Henrietta. Rescued over 500 people from drowning. Aikau, Eddie (1946 – 1978) Iconic big-wave rider from Honolulu, Hawaii; winner of the 1977 Duke Kahanamoku Classic surf contest, just three months before dying in a boating accident; regarded as the greatest Waimea surfer of his time, and namesake to the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau … Eddie was small like his father and quiet like his mother. On a day when the waves at Waimea Bay were 20 feet high, Eddie Aikau rescued two surfers and three swimmers on the North Shore. Eddie Aikau time line. "The Eddie" is a big wave surfing tournament held at Waimea Bay on the north shore of Oahu, Hawaii. Advertiser library photo • March 2, 1970: Lei-decked surfboards upright in the sand were a tribute to Eddie. Gerald Aikau, the nephew of famous surfer and lifeguard Eddie Aikau who died in 1978 attempting to assist the crew of the Hokule’a voyaging canoe, had been staying along with Reef in a … 2. Eddie Aikau died as a hero and due to his love for helping people in the waters. George Jarrett Helm, Jr. (March 23, 1950 – disappeared March 7, 1977) was a Native Hawaiian activist and musician from Kalamaʻula, Molokaʻi, Hawaii.He graduated from St. Louis High School on Oʻahu, about which he said, "I came to Honolulu to get … Born: May 4, 1946, Kahului, Maui. During his time as a life guard Eddie Aikau rescued over 500 people, and in 1971 was named Lifeguard of the year . The tournament is named for native Hawaiian, champion big wave surfer, and life-saving Waimea Bay lifeguard, Eddie Aikau. Friends and family of Eddie Aikau at a news conference days after the March 17, 1978 death of the big wave surfer and lifeguard. He was the third of six children, Fredrick, Myra, Edward, Gerald, Solomon III, and Clyde. "You can never be sure without a body. Advertiser library photo • April 2, 1978. Eddie Aikau Death. Eddie volunteered to in 1978 to join the Polynesian Voyaging Society that had a 30-day, 2,500-mile journey to follow the ancient route of the Polynesian migration between the Hawaiian and Tahitian island chains. This caption was inspired by the famous Hawaiian surfer and lifeguard Eddie Ryan Aikau.