Rating: 
Summary: Marvelously Researched and Told
Review: Like about a million other surfers I had heard Eddie's story. But foolishly, probably cynically, my first impression was to assume that he became famous more from his tragic death (which stemmed from his heroic attempt to save his fellow boatmen) than from what he had done with his life. After all, no one can deny that the circumstances of his death alone were deserving of icon status. Instead I found that Eddie was a hero way before he died. A man of phenomenal spirit, accomplishment and selflessness. I hang my head that it took so long for me to know the true story of Eddie and I praise the author for telling it so well. If you think you know Eddie, read the book, you will find you only knew a sliver of what was really there.
Rating:
Summary: Respect...the quiet heroism of Edward Ryan Aikau......
Review: Respect was the guiding watchward of life born and bred into Edward Ryan Aikau, Hawaiian Hero. Respect for his family and friends, his ethnicity, his native land, and especially for his natural element...the Pacific Ocean. He was born into a proud, but humble, traditional Hawaiian family at a time when the modern world was really discovering and reinvading the Hawaiian Islands. The Aikau family responded to this time of cultural upheaval in the only way they knew how: with patience, love, and understanding. Eddie knew Waimea Bay better than anyone will ever know it, for it was his 'major' and the ocean his 'university'. He studied the Bay so intently each day that he 'graduated' with a PHD in riding the waves and guarding the lives of all who ventured to Waimea. It is fitting that he gave his life so selflessly for his fellow voyagers... and that his spirit rests forever watching over the waves that thunder into Waimea Bay. Aloha Ryan,. Mahalo Nui Loa for your shining example of Hawaiian manhood, and living personification of the Aloha Spirit! A must read for anyone needing a hero in these troubling times...
Rating:
Summary: Respect...the quiet heroism of Edward Ryan Aikau......
Review: Respect was the guiding watchward of life born and bred into Edward Ryan Aikau, Hawaiian Hero. Respect for his family and friends, his ethnicity, his native land, and especially for his natural element...the Pacific Ocean. He was born into a proud, but humble, traditional Hawaiian family at a time when the modern world was really discovering and reinvading the Hawaiian Islands. The Aikau family responded to this time of cultural upheaval in the only way they knew how: with patience, love, and understanding. Eddie knew Waimea Bay better than anyone will ever know it, for it was his 'major' and the ocean his 'university'. He studied the Bay so intently each day that he 'graduated' with a PHD in riding the waves and guarding the lives of all who ventured to Waimea. It is fitting that he gave his life so selflessly for his fellow voyagers... and that his spirit rests forever watching over the waves that thunder into Waimea Bay. Aloha Ryan,. Mahalo Nui Loa for your shining example of Hawaiian manhood, and living personification of the Aloha Spirit! A must read for anyone needing a hero in these troubling times...
Rating:
Summary: Soul surfing/searching reading
Review: The author takes you on a tale of an incredible family epic, with not only one hero, but many heros of Hawaii, to include not only Hawaiians but Aussies, hoales and everyone in between. The book truly embodies the Aloha spirit,with the troubles that every culture struggles with, but yet prevails due to their commitment to family, pride and love of all things good. The well written book gives the reader an understanding of the love these surfers have for the ocean.
Rating:
Summary: An Important Book
Review: What can a high-school dropout, hooked on surfing, raised by a poor family in a remote cemetery out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean have to say to me? This is what I was thinking as I started "Eddie Would Go." In fact, for the first 100 pages of Coleman's book I continued to ask myself the same question. But the more I read about Eddie Aikau and the more I got to know him, the more my respect grew. In a way, Coleman kind of sets you up. He lures you into Eddie's humble life only to help you better understand his greatness -- his purely selfless heroism. Not only is "Eddie Would Go" one of the better biographies I've read, it flows along with profound undercurrents. Many of them are quickly grasped - poverty, altruism, struggles with cultural inferiority. Others are more subtle and lingering - the complexity of racism and the Buddhist concept of "dukkha." Unforgettable, important book.
Rating:
Summary: An Important Book
Review: What can a high-school dropout, hooked on surfing, raised by a poor family in a remote cemetery out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean have to say to me? This is what I was thinking as I started "Eddie Would Go." In fact, for the first 100 pages of Coleman's book I continued to ask myself the same question. But the more I read about Eddie Aikau and the more I got to know him, the more my respect grew. In a way, Coleman kind of sets you up. He lures you into Eddie's humble life only to help you better understand his greatness -- his purely selfless heroism. Not only is "Eddie Would Go" one of the better biographies I've read, it flows along with profound undercurrents. Many of them are quickly grasped - poverty, altruism, struggles with cultural inferiority. Others are more subtle and lingering - the complexity of racism and the Buddhist concept of "dukkha." Unforgettable, important book.
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