After a battle with pancreatic cancer, Clyde Aikau passed away overnight. Aikau was 75 years old.

Born in 1949, Clyde and his family, including sister Myra and older brother Eddie, moved from Maui to Oahu. The two Aikau brothers quickly became the embodiment of modern Hawaiian watermen.

For years Clyde was overshadowed by Eddie, who was known as the finest big-wave rider of his generation. Eddie was the first lifeguard at Waimea Bay, a place his name became intertwined. In 1967, Clyde later recalled, "I said to my brother, 'Hey, Eddie, can you take me out there and show me how to surf the Bay?' So we went out and he showed me exactly where to go and where not to go, and what to watch for."

Clyde at the 2018 Eddie opening ceremony (Bielmann)

In 1976, Eddie famously disappeared trying to swim to shore while aboard the Hokule’a, a traditional double-hulled Polynesian canoe that was trying to retrace the original Polynesian migration routes. In 1984, Quiksilver, working in conjunction with the Aikau family, created the Eddie Aikau Invitational, a memorial to Eddie.

In 1986, the first Eddie Aikau Invitational was held at Waimea Bay (a previous iteration was held at Sunset Beach) with Clyde the sentimental winner. "Eddie would be so proud," Clyde said afterwards, "that all these surfers come to his place."

Clyde, then aged 66, swinging a 11’8” x 22.5” x 4" Chuck Andrus gun into Waimea's maw during the 2016 Eddie (Bielmann)

Clyde continued to perform well in the event, placing 5th in 1990, 10th in 2001, and 8th in 2002. Before the 2016 event, Clyde informed the media that it'd be his last event. “It’s just a privilege for me to ride one more time, and ride one more big one for Eddie,” he said. 

Clyde remained a dignified spokesperson for the Aikau family, protecting the legacy of his brother while providing wise counsel to many North Shore surfers.