If you were to have surfed or swam in the beautifully treacherous and world-renowned waves of Oahu’s North Shore in Hawaii in the 1970s, you would have likely been safe under the watchful care of the great Edward Ryon Makuahanai Aikau — affectionately known to friends and family as Eddie.
Eddie Aikau the man is now a myth and a legend.
As the first lifeguard hired on the North Shore, Eddie was given the unenviable task of watching all the beaches between Sunset and Haleiwa, including the now infamous swells of Laniakea, Waimea bay, and the Banzai Pipeline. For those unfamiliar with Hawaii, Oahu, or big-wave surfing history and culture, this essentially represents a six-and-a-half mile stretch of shoreline and some of the biggest waves on planet earth. To say that being responsible for the safety and wellbeing of beachgoers, swimmers, and surfers in this region was challenging would be an understatement. Nevertheless, Eddie worked hard, loved his job, and saved countless lives. In all, “not one life was lost while he served as lifeguard of Waimea bay, as he braved waves that often reached thirty feet high or more, and saved the lives of more than five hundred swimmers” in his tenure.1
While off-duty, Eddie Aikau likewise distinguished himself as a champion big-wave surfer, winning the Duke Kahanamoku Invitational Surfing Championship in 1977. But Eddie’s professional success and his life of danger, adventure, bravery, and service were cut short. At the age of 31, and in great irony, Eddie was lost at sea after his double-hulled canoe capsized twelve miles off the coast of Molokai. In an attempt to get help, he had started paddling toward the island of Lanaʻi on his surfboard. Although the rest of the crew were later rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard, Eddie’s body was never found. The search for Eddie was the largest air-sea search in Hawaiian history.
In his honor and memory, professional big-wave surfers from around the world flocked to Oahu’s North Shore for the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational where the world’s best would attempt the world’s largest waves — forever enshrining Eddie’s memory with the spirit and power of the ocean and inspiring a generation of people to do hard things. In the 1980s, bumper stickers and T-shirts with the phrase “Eddie Would Go” spread around the Hawaiian Islands and around the world. This, according to maritime historian Mac Simpson, was because “Aikau was a legend on the North Shore, pulling people out of waves that no one else would dare to. That’s where the saying came from — Eddie would go, when no one else would or could. Only Eddie dared.” The phrase originated during the first Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational contest when the waves at Waimea bay were large and extremely dangerous. While the event organizers were discussing whether to allow the contest to proceed, one of the commentators looked at the conditions and said, “Eddie would go.” And the phrase stuck. Even today, “Eddie Would Go” remains a common and even reverent admonition and encouragement to do something daring or difficult.
My wife’s uncle Scott Dastrup died tragically in a motorcycle accident on August 7, 2020. This was the first family funeral I attended after being married, and it was impactful. Scott is one of fifteen children born to my wife’s maternal grandparents, so naturally a large crowd was drawn to mourn his untimely passing. As I listened to the various homages and stories family members and close friends shared about Scott and his impressive life, I was especially keen to the stories of his presence, devotion, and willingness to serve those he loved, often going out of his way to do things that a reasonable person would not otherwise do. In his obituary, the following was written:
“The word ‘quit’ didn’t exist in his vocabulary, and that completely defined his legacy. His work ethic and drive were boundless. His determination was relentless, as was his love for his family and country. He had the heart of a lion and would drop everything to serve people. Countless times he drove through the night to come to the rescue, and then would turn right around and drive through the night back home to get to work the next morning. He had a really special talent of building people up around him and making them believe that they could do anything, always focusing on their strengths.“2
Though I never had the chance to meet Uncle Scott in this life, I feel richly taught and edified by his example and legacy. What I gathered from the stories shared, and couldn’t help but compare to Eddie Aikau’s story is that “Scott Would Go.” This quality has influenced many decisions I have made since that funeral three years ago, as I have pondered the meaning of the attributes of sacrifice, selflessness, courage, bravery, presence, devotion, and love demonstrated by these two great men. If “Eddie Would Go” to save another’s life braving thirty-foot waves on Oahu’s North Shore, and if “Scott Would Go” canceling other plans to help a friend in need or drive hundreds of miles overnight to comfort a sick child (most of the stories involved Uncle Scott driving hundreds of miles overnight to help someone), then I could go do something too.
Many of you may also have people in mind that you know of, personally or otherwise, who “would go.” These are the rescuers, the first responders, the case workers, the school teachers, coaches, parents, brothers, sisters, missionaries, bishops, Elders quorum and Relief Society leaders, and ministers. There are people we interact with each and every day that exemplify the qualities I mentioned, many of whom are with us today.
I think of Jim Olsen and Randall Smith, whom I have gone to minister with and offer blessings to ward members in need. I think of Russ Platt, who went to Jennifer Roth’s rescue when a leaky pipe was flooding her kitchen. I think of Beth Noyce, who shared her gift of caring for the sick with Ron Nelson when he experienced difficulty breathing one day at church. I think of members of the Elders quorum, who on a moment’s notice came to help Nathan and Devyn Kempton move on the Fourth of July last year. I think of Marie Heiss, Flor Gonzalez, and Elaine Childs, who came with Sarah and I to help clean Bob Almond’s apartment before he moved. I think of all the meals that Chelsea Bray organizes for families in our ward in their time of need, including for Sarah and I. I think of Dan Stevens rolling up with a truck and trailer to help Janice Pouliot move apartments. I think of Mary Solt, who writes such kind notes that help so many feel loved and noticed. I think of Mike Barnhurst and Ju-Hyun Kim, who I see working hard cleaning the meetinghouse week after week. I think of Paitris Galian on her hands and knees weeding the Merkley’s front shrub bed on our ward service day last summer. I think of Nathan Jones helping me push a trailer up my driveway one evening while he and Emmily were out on a walk. These and countless other examples I could never have enough time to mention are proof that all of us can be and are people who would go.
But let’s refocus. The reason that we do these things, and the power that enables us all to go and do good, is because there is One who already went.
“And the Lord said: Whom shall I send? And one answered like unto the Son of Man: Here am I, send me. And another answered and said: Here am I, send me. And the Lord said: I will send the first.”3
“Jesus Would Go.”
“And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.”4
“Jesus Would Go.”
“And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities. Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.”5
“Jesus Would Go.”
“Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.”6
“Jesus Would Go.”
“Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had plaited a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him. And they crucified him. And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed. Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen. But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre…And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.”7
I believe this account. I believe that the tomb was empty. I like to think that I was there in that great council in heaven, when Jesus said he would go. I like to think that I believed Him. I know I did. We all believed He would go. We believed in God’s plan. That is why we are here. Now, I believe that Jesus went. He lived a perfect life. He obeyed the will of the Father. He atoned, died, and on the third day rose again. That glorious and matchless morning is what we celebrate this beautiful Easter Sunday. As Jesus faithfully went to fulfill his mission as only He could, as His followers, let us each do the same to fulfill ours and follow in His command when He said “Go, and do thou likewise.”8 In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
References
- Coleman, Stuart H. Eddie Would Go: The Story of Eddie Aikau, Hawaiian Hero and Pioneer of Big Wave Surfing (New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2004), 90-91.
- Scott Reeve Dastrup Obituary, https://www.maglebymortuary.com/obituaries/scott-dastrup
- Abraham 3:27
- Luke 4:16-21
- Alma 7:11-13
- Matthew 26:36, 39, 42
- Matthew 27:27-31, 35, 59, 60, Luke 24:1-6, John 20:11-16
- Luke 10:37
Dillon Boss 