User Reviews

Definitely a tear jerker. In my opinion Eddie is one of the greatest surface of all time. He also save 500 lives as a Hawaiian lifeguard. He was an expert waterman. Who died in Marin fortunate boating accident didn't wear their Outrigger Canoe capsize. He paddled away on a surfboard to seek help. Never to be found ever again. So he died doing what he loved and died in the ocean. Mysteriously makes sense. I put him up there with a lot of great athletes ALI , Kobe , babe Ruth , at least in the surfing world . If you don't surf or have an Interest this is a great film to watch . One tusk out ........

This documentary about legendary Hawaiian surfer and lifeguard Eddie Aikau not only does a lovely and poignant job of capturing the humble and selfless humanity of Aikau, but also presents a really fascinating and illuminating exploration of the culture and history of Hawaii and how Aikau proudly represented said culture and history as a true native son of Hawaii. Renowned for his bravery as a pioneering big wave surfer as well as for his extraordinary stint as a fearless lifeguard at Waimea Bay on the North Shore of Hawaii (Aikau was responsible for saving the lives of over five hundred people!), Aikau was also well known for hosting these incredible luaus and his overall easygoing personality. Among the topics covered are the death of Aikau's younger brother Gerald, the mid-1970's Aussie surfer invasion of Hawaii (Aikau had to hold an emergency meeting to stop the angry locals from hurting or killing these cocky Australian surfers who had basically invaded their home turf), Aikau winning the prestigious Duke surfing contest at age thirty in 1977, and his heroic death at sea as he attempted to paddle back to shore on his surfboard in order to get help for the crew of a canoe voyage which went disastrously awry. Interviews with Eddie's wife Linda Ipsen, siblings Clyde, Myra, and Sol, and such fellow champion surfers as Greg Noll, Mark Richards, Wayne Bartholomew, Jeff Hakman, and Shaun Thomson provide touching insights into the heart and soul of Eddie. A fine portrait of a remarkable Hawaiian.