Watch: The legend of Eddie Aikau
Recently, NITV ran a documentary on Eddie Aikau and it's now streaming on SBS On Demand.
Many people, younger surfers in particular, will only know the sanitised, Quik-friendly version of Eddie's story, so if you're curious about who Eddie was and why he was so revered, click to SBS, park up, and press play.
(You may have to create an account, which takes a few seconds and is free)
Comments
Apt timing as usual NITV / SBS. Great to see in this time of understanding and recognition.
Eddie was more than a surfer/lifeguard, a true cultural icon for his family and all Hawaii.
Another in the long line of indigenous annexations by a supposed caring overlord.
Please wake up and educate yourselves as to some of the disgraceful adoptions of local lands
in the name of progress... look in our own backyard.
Check out
for a bit of a light hearted look from another view....
Spot on blower. I first saw Barbekueria as part of my cultural heritage awareness training in the late 80's. It is light hearted but a very poignant and still relevant comment on society in Aus.
I have been to Hawaii once and what I saw and experienced made me do a little research about Hawaii's history. The effects of dispossession upon the indigenous people's of both lands have strong parallels.
Keep Going Eddie.
this is great cheers
Thanks Swellnet . Great doco.
Stu do you know if it's the doc espn made as part of their 30 for 30 series a few years back, or is it a newer production?
Yes ESPN.
Watched it last week. Very sad - as Coast Guard says 'in an emergency stay with your boat'.
..can't help but think of that wave at Waimea that Clyde Aikau caught on the Chuck Anders' pale blue SB at the last Eddie..I think he was 66?..a contemporary of rabbit, kanga etc ..very inspirational...go Aikau family.. nice turn of phrase at end of doco, I think by Sam George.."Eddie's still paddling and all of Hawaii are behind him".(or words to that effect)..
NITV rocked this was so amped it was on free to air.
yeah, this is really good. I saw it on a Qantas flight from Cairns to Bris about 6 years ago. Bonus good ending to a long work trip.
I hadn't known much of Eddie Aikaus' backstory, until I watched this doco.
A true waterman and graceful surfer. Great surfing footage too.
However, I found Sam Georges' telling of this fascinating story, a bit syrupy