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Eddie Would Go: The Story of Eddie Aikau, Hawaiian Hero and Pioneer of Big Wave Surfing
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 th...more
Paperback, 288 pages
Published
February 7th 2004
by St. Martin's Griffin
(first published 2002)
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“Fearing for the fate of his crew, Capitan Lyman consulted with his officers. After much heated debate, they all reluctantly agreed: Eddie should go.” (pg. 221)
This was an intriguing couple sentences that I found in the book, Eddie Would Go that shows the major theme of the book, that Eddie Aikau would do go and do anything to help his fellow crew mates and friends even if it meant risking his life. After the Portuguese boat the Hokele’a flipped over in a fifteen foot swell and thir...more
This was an intriguing couple sentences that I found in the book, Eddie Would Go that shows the major theme of the book, that Eddie Aikau would do go and do anything to help his fellow crew mates and friends even if it meant risking his life. After the Portuguese boat the Hokele’a flipped over in a fifteen foot swell and thir...more
I was profoundly moved by the story of this incredible human. Growing up in Hawaii, I had always heard about Eddie and his family, but as a kid it always seemed like he was this mythical creature or something. I remember when the Hokule'a tragedy happened and watching the search effort on the news in the 70's, but I was still too young to really understand the impact that Eddie had made during his short life.
Reading this book reawakened so many memories for me. Sitting on the beach ...more
Reading this book reawakened so many memories for me. Sitting on the beach ...more
Katrin
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A biography of Eddie Aikau, native Hawaiian, pioneer of Big Wave Surfing and lifeguard at Oahu's North Shore. His life is perfectly suited for a book (the sport, his interesting family, Hawaiian culture, racial tensions, and an early death), and at times it IS very interesting, but it is rather badly written: A lot of repetition, many spelling mistakes, and an overblown, too-emotional writing style. At any rate, it confirmed my interest in Polynesian culture and gave me more information on the H...more
I almost feel bad about giving this book only two stars, but, while the topic, Eddie Aikau, is incredibly interesting, I just couldn't get into the book. Other reviewers have commented on this and I have to agree -- it's not well written. I really wanted to like it, but if I can't get into it and get bored while reading, that's a bad sign. Glad I read it b/c I learned more about Eddie Aikau and the history of surfing in Hawaii, but there must be other books about surfing in Hawaii (and maybe eve...more
I read this book knowing already how it ended (it IS non-fiction, after all); as I got closer and closer to the end of the book, I ended up crying anyway. Coleman doesn't gloss over anything and Eddie Aikau is presented warts and all, but anyone with a heart bigger than the Grinch's will come away from this book with immense admiration for him as a flawed but honorable man. Coleman's respect for the Hawaiian culture is evident and serves the story well. Aikau's family is fiercely protective o...more
"Eddie Would Go" introduced me to a man by the name of Eddie Aikau, a big wave surfer who made a name for himself while I was a little girl living on Oahu. He was a sweet guy from a big Hawaiian family, was a killer surfer, and a really good friend to local and haole alike. Unfortunately he was lost at sea when the replica Polynesian voyaing canoe Hokule'a capsized the day after my ninth birthday (1978). I remember seeing the Hokule'a moored at Honolulu Harbor when I was little and I r...more
It is hard to think of someone more revered in surfing than Eddie Aikau – except Duke Kahanamoku – and he deserves a fitting tribute in print: alas, this isn't it. Sure, we get a narrative of his life and death, but the book needs a rigorous editor and a more evocative writer. Shame, really.
Great perspective about Eddie Aikau but not always well written. I found it a little long at times but needless to say, he mattered a lot in Hawaiian culture. And there's no denying his bravery at his last moments
Anyone who has been to Hawaii should read this...Eddie was a true heroe and you can see why in this book...The island culture is well explained and the surf culture as well...
The basic story of surfing and the misfortunes of an Hawaiian family. Unfortunately not very well written, but an informative read if you are interested in the beginning days of surfing.
Eddie Aikau was a remarkable man in and out of the water, or at least that's what you'll learn all about if you read this fascinating book. I read as soon as it came out while we living in Hawai'i, so it was much easier to appreciate and understand, however, the story of this man is pretty neat. I think you will be left with a much greater appreciation of the ocean, those who dare to exist within it, and for surfing as much, much more than stoned, funny talking dudes from California. One of t...more
The other reviews have covered this - great story, problematic execution. Where was the editor before this went to press?
Very interesting story about Hawaiian big wave surfer, Eddie Aikau. Sadly, it's not very well written.
Great read! Could not put down! Essential if you love surfing, history, Hawaii and heroes.
What a wondeful book. Truly catches the sould and passion of the great Eddie Aikau!
good but i didnt want to read because it was for a biography book report
A beautiful profile of a very brave man who changed surfing.
The story of an amazing individual and his tragic death. After my trip to Hawaii Aikau became someone who absolutely fascinated me and after finishing this book, despite me being a "haole" (outsider), he became a hero to me. Touching story of family, ideals, and the aloha spirit.
A great tale of Eddie Aikau, an amazing young man who put others well being ahead of his own. Though his selfless life was cut short, his legacy continues to live on in the hearts of the Hawaiian people and those, like myself, who have the priveledge of living among them. He continues to be a beacon for doing what is right even when it becomes difficult. This mentality is embodied in a common Hawaiian saying taken for the title of this book: "Eddie Would Go".
Amazing story of a Hawaiian hero and surfing legend. Loved it!
Rather slow & boring but the only bio of Eddie Aikau.
Makes me want to go to Hawaii and see the big waves! Well, I've wanted to do that for a long time. Just makes me want to do it even more now. Great story. Great waterman!
I surf...it's my greatest passion. And Eddie is seen by many like me as one of our sport's greatest heroes. So reading this book was almost a requirement to better understand the entire background and story related to Eddie. Mr. Coleman did a very good job of making this an enjoyable read without having to resort to surfing sensationalism to draw in readers.
I have now read this book four times. I admire the depth and breadth of the writing, and I particularly enjoy the respect and honesty brought to bear in the telling of the interweaving of the Hawaiian Renaissance and the life of Eddie Aikau. Beautiful work: it deserves the full attention of any reader, especially those who enjoy non-fiction.
Amazing story of a pretty amazing person. Not sure if it was the writer, or the fact that I'm generally not a non-fiction/biography ready, but it was a little hard for me to get through the book.
This story could have been so good. Edie Aikau led a truly amazing life, and did some extremely daring things in the ocean. However I found the book to really just be a long sequence of events without much soul to the story.
Really glad I finished this book. Eddie is an inspiration, someone I wish I was more like. Hopefully I can remind myself when times are tough that Eddie Would Go.
Through a not so ideal childhood, one still can do an enormous act of selflessness. I admire and respect this.
The non-fiction account of Eddi Aikau and his very noble life as a heroic icon of the Hawaiian Renaissance
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Stuart Holmes Coleman has had two lifelong passions, writing and surfing. The son of a minister, he was baptized as a surfer in the small waves of Charleston, S.C. Surfing helped him overcome his childhood fears of tidal waves and drowning. While taking a unique course called “Cultures of the Pacific” in school, he began dreaming about living in Hawaii some day. After graduating from the Universit...more
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