Eddie Aikau is a Hawaiian hero: pioneer big-wave rider, lifeguard, peacemaker, and traditional voyager. Last Wednesday, at Surfer The Bar, his younger brother, lifeguard partner, and closest friend Clyde Aikau, joined the likes of film producer Paul Taublieb to speak out about the man behind the legend. Clyde and Paul sat down with Talk Story host Jodi Wilmott to discuss Eddie’s life, spirit, achievements and ultimate contributions that went far beyond big wave riding and deep into the heart of Hawaiian culture.
Following the Talk Story, Surfer screened a special sneak peak of ESPNʻs new film, Hawaiian: The Legend of Eddie Aikau. The film is directed by Sam George (Riding Giants) and produced by Stacy Peralta (Dogtown and Z-Boys) and Paul Taublieb (The Vow).
Tpremiere was a huge success. Surfer was packed to the brim with an audience captivated by the instant classic. Hawaiian: The Legend of Eddie Aikau chronicles the remarkable life and times of the late Eddie Aikau, the legendary Hawaiian big wave surfer, pioneering lifeguard and ultimately doomed crew member of the Polynesian voyaging canoe Hokulea. With its rich combination of archival imagery, dramatic reenactments, contemporary interviews and meticulously researched historical source material Hawaiian is a compelling examination of the tragic decline and extraordinary rebirth of the Hawaiian culture as personified by a native son whose dynamic life and heroic death served as inspiration to an entire spiritual movement.
“Eddie Aikau’s story explores both the spirit of the Hawaiian people and that of the surfing culture while also providing an examination of one man’s life and what it has meant to so many,” said Connor Schell, vice president of ESPN Films.
Hawaiian will be available on iTunes and Amazon Instant Video the day after its broadcast premiere. A six-disc collectible DVD Gift Set, featuring the first fifteen films from 30 for 30 Volume II, will be available at major retailers in-store and online.