Eddie Would Go: The Story of Eddie Aikau, Hawaiian Hero and Pioneer of Big Wave Surfing

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars | 361 ratings

Price: 15.3

Last update: 12-23-2024


About this item

From surfer and writer Stuart Holmes Coleman, Eddie Would Go is the compelling story of Eddie Aikau's legendary life and legacy, a pipeline into the exhilarating world of surfing, and an important chronicle of the Hawaiian Renaissance and the emergence of modern Hawaii.

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 the North Shore, he saved hundreds of lives from its treacherous waters; and as a proud Hawaiian, he sacrificed his life to save the crew aboard the voyaging canoe Hokule'a.


Top reviews from the United States

  • G. Freiwald
    5.0 out of 5 stars A holistic view of one of surfing's most influential figures
    Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2024
    It is clear that the author interviewed a lot of Eddie's friends and family for this book and people were generous in sharing their recollections. What emerges is a really holistic view of one of surfing's greatest heroes. For those who want to explore and understand the legacy of an icon and see surf culture at its best, this is a good read.
  • Scotty Mon
    5.0 out of 5 stars This is a great book!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2022
    Excellent! Extremely well written and not just about Eddie and the rest of the Aikau family. Great history of Hawaiian culture and Ohana (family) & early big wave surfing pioneers. Highly recommended and I'm giving this book to my surfing pals as birthday presents. When you are reading this book, it feels like you are watching a video. Most of all, the book makes you feel like you know and have the utmost respect for Eddie. I went out and bought "Eddie Would Go" and especially "Eddie Went" decals for my truck. Says it all!
  • Gregory Martin
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing and inspiring story compellingly told
    Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2019
    The story of Eddie Aikau, the Hawaiian surfing hero is a legend that must be told. And nobody could research and bring Eddie back to life better than Stuart Coleman. For anyone who loves Hawaiian history, surfing, sailing, the sea or just a good story about heroism, Eddie Would Go is a real page turner. As I was reading the book, I really felt like I got to know Eddie and his family and it brought me back to the time when surfing was just becoming known as a sport and the vision of voyaging on the Polynesian voyaging canoe Hokule'a was just born. I'm so glad I had the opportunity to read this book on a recent sailing trip and read a chapter in the exact spot in the ocean near Molokai where Eddie gave his life to save his crewmates. I highly recommend Stuart Coleman's telling of the story of Eddie Would Go.
    Customer image
    Gregory Martin
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing and inspiring story compellingly told
    Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2019
    The story of Eddie Aikau, the Hawaiian surfing hero is a legend that must be told. And nobody could research and bring Eddie back to life better than Stuart Coleman. For anyone who loves Hawaiian history, surfing, sailing, the sea or just a good story about heroism, Eddie Would Go is a real page turner. As I was reading the book, I really felt like I got to know Eddie and his family and it brought me back to the time when surfing was just becoming known as a sport and the vision of voyaging on the Polynesian voyaging canoe Hokule'a was just born. I'm so glad I had the opportunity to read this book on a recent sailing trip and read a chapter in the exact spot in the ocean near Molokai where Eddie gave his life to save his crewmates. I highly recommend Stuart Coleman's telling of the story of Eddie Would Go.
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    Customer image
  • Kim Hegan Film maker
    4.0 out of 5 stars Via a well told story of the life and death of the most famous surfers in the world, Eddie Aikau
    Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2023
    Although dressed as a dramatic tale of a young heroic Hawaiin surfer's life and death , this is so much more...I didn't realise that Hawaiian waterman, Eddie Aikau, through the life he lived, encapsulated the typical Hawaiian's lifestyle. I discovered surfing as a distraction, that developed into a life-long passion, however Hawaiians are born into that life and no wonder they love the life they live..
    Ask any Haole (non Hawaiin) surfer about surfing and he/she will express the almost addictive nature of surfing...
  • Melody Henriksen Highman
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great gift!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2023
    If you are connected to Hawaii and its culture, you'll love this true and amazing story. I purchased it for gifts for both my son and my husband. We all loved it.
  • R. Briggs
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great story
    Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2023
    Read the book after watching The Eddie Surf Contest on the North Shore of Oahu. Very interesting and engaging book. Highly recommend it for anyone to enjoy a great read and learn more about Hawaiian history and culture.
  • JONATHAN PRISH
    5.0 out of 5 stars so excited about this book
    Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2024
    thru surfing i heard so muvh about this guy over a decade ago finally reading about him at 50
  • Sharon
    5.0 out of 5 stars Eddie Would Go
    Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2023
    Lifetime of one of the original watermen on the North Shore.

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