2024-25 The Eddie Big Wave Invitational | Kahiau Award

During the opening ceremony of the 2024-2025 The Eddie Big Wave Invitational in Memory of Eddie Aikau, PVS CEO & Navigator Nainoa Thompson was invited to present the first annual Kahiau Award on behalf of the Eddie Aikau Foundation. The Kahiau Award, honoring an individual who embodies the principles of "kahiau" or extraordinary generosity without expectation of return, was awarded to lifeguard, waterman, and Hōkūleʻa crewmember and captain Noland Keaulana for his courage and sacrifice in searching all night, then successfully recovering a teen missing at sea in October 2024. Listen to Nainoa's full speech, which beautifully honors Noland, his family, the Aikau 'ohana and the legacy of Eddie Aikau.

[@drjohnbones]

This tribute of Nainoa shows his wisdom , his understanding, and his humility. What a good person he is, makes my heart at peace and happiness. Thank you . And Nolan is another who knows who he is and strives to be. Mahalo and ALOHA.