Manoa Laundry

Clyde Aikau, legendary Hawaiian waterman and younger brother of Eddie Aikau, has died. He was 75 years old.

According to a release from the Aikau family, Clyde passed away peacefully at home in Waimanalo on Saturday evening. He is survived by his wife Eleni, his son Ha’a, his sister Myra, and his nieces and nephews. Clyde’s loss is an enormous one for the entire surfing community.

“Clyde and Eddie were the closest of brothers, sharing a passion and commitment to family, Hawaiian culture, and the ocean,” the Aikau family wrote. “They both served as North Shore lifeguards; voyaged on Hokule’a (separate voyages); rode giant winter waves at Waimea Bay; and were famous for their impromptu slack key guitar sessions that they shared with family and friends around the Islands and the world.”

Clyde, the youngest of six, was born in 1949 on Maui to his father Solomon, who was known as Pops, and his mother Henrietta. When Clyde was 10 years old, the family moved from Kahului to Oahu.

Clyde’s loss leaves a gaping hole in the global surfing community. His contributions to surfing (especially holding up Waimea Bay as an iconic location in the sport’s history) cannot be overstated. Thank you for everything, Clyde. You will be sorely missed.