Recapping The Eddie Aikau Invitational Photo Exhibition
images by keoki saguibo, john hook, christa funk, and mike ito, and are title marked with the surfer and photographer’s names.
(above photo of billy kemper by keoki saguibo)
A couple of months ago, the most prestigious contest in surfing, the rare and historic Eddie Aikau Invitational went down on the North Shore of O’ahu in beautiful Hawaii.
It was fucking insane. The waves were pumping, the crowd was getting washed away, and rather than a pro doused in sponsor banners, a local boy, a lifeguard on his lunch break, took home the win. Congrats again, Luke. Made us Hawaiians proud.
The Eddie Aikau Invitational is a surf contest that occurs only when the waves are just right and properly massive, the previous one having occurred way back in 2016, at which John John Florence was named king. The contest is not only a competition for glory, but a celebration of the life and legacy of Eddie Aikau, whose story of determination, honor, and selflessness is extremely important to Hawaii, Hawaiian people, and surfing, recognized every day through the common and revered motto, ‘Eddie would go.’
By my reckoning, getting anywhere near the water that day for anyone less than an absolute professional waterman would be a death sentence, but nonetheless, out there among the surfers and guards on jet skis were a couple of photographers keen to snap something amazing. And they did! And then they put those photos on display for all to enjoy at the Eddie Aikau Invitational Photo Exhibit. We sent a couple of questions to one of the organizers and featured photographers, Mike Ito, and had a look at some truly insane photos from surfing’s greatest day.
image by mike ito
Why’d you all decide to organize this exhibit?
After the event was over and realized what just went down, we knew we had to do something to share what we captured and to be somehow a part of giving back to the Eddie Aikau Foundation, which organizes everything behind the scenes. We wanted to also commemorate the athletes for their bravery in what was maxing Waimea (with a framed photo gift), one of the biggest Eddies to date. Finally, in memory of Larry Haynes, we are also donating half of all sales to her daughter Lilly towards her college fund. Larry was out there with us on a ski shooting the live feed throughout the day.
Who all was included/on display?
Keoki Saguibo, John Hook, Christa Funk, and me, Mike Ito.
How’d you decide on that venue?
Our immediate thought when it came to finding a venue was Waimea Valley. The Waimea Valley is a sacred Hawaiian historical site that starts way back in the valley in the mountains and ends in the Bay. There was no better spiritual place with as much cultural significance to hold an exhibition of the Eddie Aikau Invitational than Waimea Valley.
What were some of your favorite shots from the collection?
I think we all agreed it was the shot of Mark Healey by Christa. You rarely see the underside of the lip at Waimea, and from the angle Christa got, only a few eyeballs got to see it from that perspective that day. Keoki got a few bangers, but the shot I liked from him are the ones of Billy Kemper. No one knew if Billy was going to surf the Eddie or not due to injury, but he was cleared the night before, and he was surfing like it was his last day on Earth.
Being out there shooting the action was a lifetime experience, but the real heroes that day was not only the athletes but the Hawaiian Water Patrol, who accounted for every person in the water that day. There would have been a lot more serious injuries if not for them, and we are very grateful.
What do you think the draw of the Eddie is for a surfer and for a photographer?
By today's measure, it may not be the biggest, but when the Bay is maxing 30' (60' faces), it basically turns into one of the biggest and trickiest wedges in the world to paddle into. But more importantly, The Eddie is the most historic and prestigious surf contest in the world that combines culture and the world's top big wave surfing athletes.
To photograph this event that has only run nine times since the first Eddie in 1985, and from the vantage point of the water, it is definitely a check off the bucket list as a surf photographer to be able to capture the surreal moments of surfing history.
photo of aaron gold by mike ito
image by john bilderback
How important do you think the Eddie is to Hawaii? To you?
The Eddie Aikau Invitational is the oldest big wave surf contest in surfing history. It started at Sunset Beach in 1985 and then moved to Waimea in 1987. For a period of time, it was the measure of what big wave surfing was and has become. To this day, it is renowned as the "Super Bowl of Surfing". It only runs when Waimea is at its biggest and best conditions and, because of this, has run only ten times in its 38-year history.
To me, The Eddie is more than just big waves and competition. It is an event honoring and remembering a hero, Eddie Aikau, who was the first lifeguard at Waimea and the entire Northshore. With over 500 known saves as a lifeguard, Eddie Aikau faced many challenges in his life, but with persistence and perseverance, he was successful at overcoming them. The invitees to the Eddie Aikau Invitational call on the same characteristics or "Ho'omau" that Eddie himself had lived day to day that would not only apply while surfing huge Waimea, but also to their own personal lives in caring and for the safety of others.
image of eli olson by john hook
image of mark healey by christa funk
Can we expect this to be a recurring event with every Eddie?
The Waimea Valley has expressed great interest in continuing this exhibition, so we are excited to see how that unfolds.
How can folks who couldn’t make it to the event still see it? (aside from this recap)
We are working on a possible online exhibit and another physical exhibit in Waikiki and California. Dates TBD. Please contact us if you would be interested in our exhibition in your hometown.
100% of sales on these masterful works are donated to The Eddie Aikau Foundation and Lilly Haynes’ College Fund. Rest In Peace, Love, Honor, and Respect, Larry Haynes and Eddie Aikau.