The Story of Eddie

Good Day To You,

Eddie Aikau was a lifeguard for nine years on the extreme surf of Waimea Bay located on the North Shore of the Island of Oahu. During his time he attempted over 500 rescues. Not one attempt failed. Some say he saved the lives of over 100 swimmers and surfers. Not one life was lost while he served. Eddie was a surfing champion as well, winning numerous competitions and became a local hero and surfing legend. In 1978 Aikau joined the Polynesian Voyaging Society who were seeking volunteers for a 30 day, 2,500-mile journey to follow the ancient route of the Polynesian migration between the Hawaiian and Tahitian island chains. Eddie’s notoriety drew attention to this expedition, and soon there was great island interest. They set sail on March 16, 1978. The double-hulled voyaging canoe developed a leak in one of the hulls and later capsized about twelve miles south of the island of Molokai. Eddie pleaded with the captain to take his surfboard and seek help. Finally, the captain relented after two days of the crew being in the waters. Later, a few of the crew reported that they saw Eddie cast off his life preserver so that he could paddle his surfboard freely on his way to get help. He was never seen again. The ensuing search for Aikau was the largest air-sea search in Hawaii history. The crew was later rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Cape Corwin. In the years that followed, a cultural phenomenon would take place as the story of Eddie was told and retold. Soon bumper stickers on cars and T-shirts were seen with the simple statement, “Eddie Would Go.”

You might be asking yourself what do this story and my life have in common? I haven’t surfed the 30 to 40 foot waves of Waimea Bay. Well, I submit that as followers of Jesus we have something in common with Eddie. We have been challenged and commanded to go.

Mark 16:15 - And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone."

We are challenged to get out there into the waves of life and its turmoil. To go into our “world” and face the waves of fear, anxiety and bondage that are at high tide in our culture. We see the currents of evil, hatred and sin that are taking people under and bringing death. Yes, the waves are stiff, but Jesus is calling forth lifeguards to be brave and pray, love and believe for his grace to rescue others. I have found that as you pray and intentionally reach for those in your world, Jesus gets bigger and the waves much smaller. As followers of Jesus we don’t have an option. We must go.

Q: Who was one of your lifeguards in your life? What’s your thought about them?