"The WSL has tremendous respect for the legacy of Eddie Aikau and the prestige of this special event in his honor," Paul Speaker, WSL CEO said. ![]() We have every confidence that WSL's greater involvement in the event this year will only improve The Eddie's reputation as one of the world's premier surfing contests." Agnes added "Consistent with Quiksilver and the Aikau family's wishes, we are pleased to confirm that the same stringent condition requirements we instituted when we inaugurated The Eddie 31 years ago will continue this year. We are very grateful for the efforts and support of the Aikau family and the World Surf League under the leadership of Paul Speaker who have all worked very hard with our team over the past few weeks to come up with a solution," said Pierre Agnes, Quiksilver's CEO. "We are proud to see the tradition of The Eddie continue without interruption-a testament to our respect for Eddie Aikau, the Aikau family, the Hawaiian people, and the community at large. The event is famous for its traditional opening ceremony, live broadcast and incredible atmosphere. As a WSL specialty-sanctioned big-wave event, The Eddie has drawn a prestigious cross-section of the world's finest watermen, including competitors from the elite WSL Championship Tour (CT). Opting only to run when conditions reach the 20-foot-plus range (Hawaiian scale-40-50 ft faces), The Eddie has only run nine times in its history. With the support of the World Surf League (WSL), which will produce the event and manage the broadcast and media, the event will proceed.īeginning in 1985, the Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational has been an invite-only big-wave event that takes place at Waimea Bay on the North Shore of Oahu, where the late Eddie Aikau served as the North Shore's first lifeguard. Quiksilver and the Aikau family have worked constructively together for the past several weeks in an effort to avoid interrupting the 31-year track record of the event being held. The Aikau ‘ohana is very grateful to the people of Hawai‘i and the surfing community for their continued support of their efforts to mālama (preserve) the memory of Hawaiian Big Wave Surfer and Waterman Eddie Aikau.NORTH SHORE, Hawaii (Monday, November 28, 2016) - Quiksilver and the Aikau family have amicably resolved their differences, ensuring that the 2016-2017 Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational occurs starting on December 1, 2016. E hana malie (Take your time and do a good job). The Aikau’s devotion to Hawaiian Culture is alive with THE EDDIE, and through the Eddie Aikau Charitable Foundation and its programs, including the popular School Essay Contest based on Eddie for all junior and high school students throughout the Islands. He ‘ike ‘ana ia i ka pono (One has seen the right thing to do and has done it). His protection of this sacred ‘āina (land) lives on with the Aikau ‘ohana today, and is part of their uncompromising kuleana (responsibility) to Hawai‘i. HewaHewa, an expert in all Hawaiian culture and life, was given formal responsibility of Waimea, from deep in the valley out to the crystal blue waters of the bay. The ‘ohana shared that THE EDDIE is more than just a surf contest it has become a Hawaiian tradition held with special reverence by the Aikaus, whose connection to Waimea Bay dates back more than 100 years to their great-great-grandfather, Kahuna Nui HewaHewa. They are very open to speaking with all interested parties about new sponsorship opportunities to carry on Eddie Aikau’s legacy and this prestigious Hawaiian tradition. The family is also currently speaking with potential new sponsors who have expressed strong interest in THE EDDIE. ![]() The Aikau family is already working with the Honolulu Department of Parks & Recreation on the 2018-19 EDDIE, and look forward to the department’s timely issuance of the permits for next year’s event. Kapu aloha e lokahi e! (He who lives in harmony within himself, lives pono).” “THE EDDIE was started for the people of Hawai‘i as a way to encourage, enlighten and inspire all to live more like Eddie Aikau-to share aloha with all you encounter throughout your life spreading aloha to your friends, as well as, your adversaries. “We are all part of the kapa (cloth) that make up the beauty of today’s Hawaiian people,” the press release said.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |