I just got back from Hawaii and I found this on liquidsaltmag.com... Check it out-
Hawaiian: The Legend of Eddie Aikau
Hawaiian: The Legend of Eddie Aikau, directed by Sam George (Riding Giants) and produced by Stacy Peralta (Dogtown and Z-Boys), will debut Tuesday, October 1, at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN. We spoke with Sam George to learn more about his new film about the remarkable life of Eddie Aikau, the legendary big wave surfer and spiritual inspiration to the Hawaiian people.
Why make a film about Eddie Aikau? Why was this important to you?
The life and times of Eddie Aikau has never been brought to life on the screen. In that sense it’s the greatest surf story never told. But it’s also a story that illustrates the extraordinary role that surfing has played in Hawaiian history, with a cultural impact unique in all of sport. Eddie Aikau personified that remarkable relationship.
The life and times of Eddie Aikau has never been brought to life on the screen. In that sense it’s the greatest surf story never told. But it’s also a story that illustrates the extraordinary role that surfing has played in Hawaiian history, with a cultural impact unique in all of sport. Eddie Aikau personified that remarkable relationship.
How did you get the Aikau family to agree to letting a haole from the mainland
to grant you permission to create the film?
Producer Paul Taublieb and I flew to the Big Island at the request of Sol Aikau, and we met at the Pine Trees Café outside of Kona. He told us he just wanted to look us in the eye and see what sort of men we were. Sol must have seen something he liked. Either that or the fact that I ordered two scoop rice with my teri beef plate, plus macaroni salad, and established my bonafides.
to grant you permission to create the film?
Producer Paul Taublieb and I flew to the Big Island at the request of Sol Aikau, and we met at the Pine Trees Café outside of Kona. He told us he just wanted to look us in the eye and see what sort of men we were. Sol must have seen something he liked. Either that or the fact that I ordered two scoop rice with my teri beef plate, plus macaroni salad, and established my bonafides.
What were some of the challenges in making “Hawaiian: The Legend of Eddie Aikau”?
Shooting the re-enactment of the Hokule’a’s capsizing in the Kaiwi Channel proved to be a major challenge. Fortunately we had a great water unit, headed by Todd Bradley, one of the Island’s most experienced watermen, along with as Zane Aikau, Eddie’s nephew. With a crew like that I figured we could handle whatever the channel threw at us.
Shooting the re-enactment of the Hokule’a’s capsizing in the Kaiwi Channel proved to be a major challenge. Fortunately we had a great water unit, headed by Todd Bradley, one of the Island’s most experienced watermen, along with as Zane Aikau, Eddie’s nephew. With a crew like that I figured we could handle whatever the channel threw at us.
If you could pick one point you would want the audience to take away from the film,
what would that be?
It would be that just riding big waves doesn’t make you a hero. Big wave surfers do that for fun. What makes you a hero is putting yourself in harm’s way for the sake of others, and that’s something Eddie Aikau did throughout his life, from his first day as a lifeguard on duty at Waimea Bay, to his very last moment. He cared about others, even though he had a lot of reasons not to. That’s a real hero in my book.
what would that be?
It would be that just riding big waves doesn’t make you a hero. Big wave surfers do that for fun. What makes you a hero is putting yourself in harm’s way for the sake of others, and that’s something Eddie Aikau did throughout his life, from his first day as a lifeguard on duty at Waimea Bay, to his very last moment. He cared about others, even though he had a lot of reasons not to. That’s a real hero in my book.
What are your plans for getting as many people to see this important film?
Will it be available on DVD?
ESPN Films acquired the film and on October 1st it will be the premier episode of their acclaimed “30 for 30″ documentary series. Along with an extensive rotation schedule it will also be available as part of a “30 for 30″ DVD series package, all of which means that more people will seeHawaiian: The Legend of Eddie Aikau than any other surf film since The Endless Summer.
Will it be available on DVD?
ESPN Films acquired the film and on October 1st it will be the premier episode of their acclaimed “30 for 30″ documentary series. Along with an extensive rotation schedule it will also be available as part of a “30 for 30″ DVD series package, all of which means that more people will seeHawaiian: The Legend of Eddie Aikau than any other surf film since The Endless Summer.
What’s next for Sam George?
A number of projects are in development, including a film that tells the history of action sports cinematography.
A number of projects are in development, including a film that tells the history of action sports cinematography.
From the press release: “Eddie Would Go” is a phrase that has long carried deep meaning with countless Hawaiians and surfers worldwide. Hawaiian: The Legend of Eddie Aikau goes beyond those famous three words and chronicles the remarkable life and power of Eddie Aikau, the legendary Hawaiian big wave surfer, pioneering lifeguard and ultimately doomed crew member of the Polynesian voyaging canoe Hokule’a. With a rich combination of archival imagery, contemporary interviews and meticulously researched historical source material, this film is a compelling exploration of the tragic decline and extraordinary re-birth of the Hawaiian culture as personified by a native son whose dynamic life and heroic death served as inspiration to an entire spiritual movement.
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