North Shore icon, legendary big wave surfer and waterman Clyde Aikau has passed away at the age of 75. According to his family he passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday evening.
Clyde, who was the younger brother of Eddie Aikau, leaves behind a family legacy that will forever be etched in big wave surfing history. Born on Maui in 1949 as the youngest of six children—Clyde, Fred, Myra, Eddie, Gerald, and Solomon III—the Aikaus moved to Oʻahu in 1959.
In the late 60’s and 70’s, Clyde and Eddie, who both worked as lifeguards on the North Shore, began to charge Waimea and Sunset. After Eddie’s tragic passing in 1978, Clyde continued to wear the Aikau name with pride, committing himself to big wave surfing, ocean safety and Hawaiian culture.
He won the Eddie Aikau Invitational in 1986 and continued surfing in the event, which honours his brother legacy, until 2016, when he was 66 years of age.
In recent years Clyde battled with pancreatic cancer but that did not deter his joy for life and his desire to get involved with the local North Shore community in any way possible.
Our thoughts are with Clyde’s family and friends at the difficult time. Rest in peace Clyde.
