~ Would You Go? ~

"Eddie Would Go"

There is a famous story in Hawaii about a young man named Eddie Aikau.  Those who know of him, know his story and uphold the deepest respect for him and what he did. 

He was known not only as a good surfer but a good lifeguard as well. Not one life was lost while he served as lifeguard of Waimea Bay, as he braved waves that often reached 30 feet high or more.
In 1971, he was named Lifeguard of the Year.

In 1978, the Polynesian Voyaging Society was 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. At 31 years of age, Eddie joined the voyage as a crew member. The Hokule'a left the Hawaiian islands 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. In an attempt to get help, Eddie paddled toward Lanai on his surfboard. Although the rest of the crew was later rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard, Eddie was never seen again. The ensuing search for Eddie was the largest air-sea search in Hawaii history.  The last person lifeguard Eddie Aikau rescued at Waimea Bay was a young TV producer named John Orland, who had just wrapped up production on a TV pilot called the "Hawaii Experience," starring Bob Crane from Hogan's Heroes. He was rescued on February 19, 1978, less than a month before Eddie Aikau was lost at sea.

Every year In Eddie's honor, Hawaii holds a ceremony - and if the waves are big enough - "The Eddie" - a Big Wave Invitational surf competition, in Memory of Eddie Aikau at Waimea Bay. 
The tournament has only been held eight times, due to a precondition that open-ocean swells reach a minimum of 20 feet (this translates to a wave face height of over 30 feet).  The most recent tournament was in December 2009, when waves in the bay reached 30 to 50 feet high!!  The contest only invites 28 big-wave riders to participate in two rounds of competition. The event does not allow the use of jet skis to tow surfers into the waves.

There are signs, t-shirts, bumper stickers everywhere in Hawaii that read: "Eddie Would Go."
I have a bumper sticker on my car that says: "Mom Would Go" which my son and hubby brought back from an "all-guys" Hawaii surf trip a couple of years ago.  Every time I read that, it really gives me motiviation that yes - "I Would Go" .... "Go where?" someone once asked me ... and I answered: "Anywhere I am needed as a Mom." 

I love the story of Eddie.  He truly is a hero to so many.  And being in a surf family we see it more than most people do.  His example is like a silent "standard" for all the surf buddies my hubby and son know and get to surf with each Saturday morning.  Eddie didn't have to go - but he did.  A great legend he left behind in helping so many.

Would you go? Not in the sense that Eddie did battling huge waves - but when the call is heeded for your help ... would you go?  I believe as human beings we all would go.  And because we are human we have a heart that possesses the innate desire to help, serve and love each other - even to a stranger wouldn't you agree?  There are countless examples all around us - all around the world of ordinary people helping people in extraordinary ways.  Look at Haiti right now with all of the thousands of volunteers who chose to go and "battle the waves" in a sense.  One doesn't even have to go outside of their home.  How would you "go" within the walls of your own home today?

I believe Albert Einstein sums this up perfectly:

"Only a life lived in the service to others is worth living."

Have a wonderful day ... wherever you "go."

Happy "Aloha Friday!"

: )