Kalani Vierra got the thrill of his life when he paddled out at Waimea Bay on O‘ahu last week. And the surf wasn’t even big. Vierra, Kaua‘i Fire Department Ocean Safety Bureau co-supervisor, got a chance to be part of
Kalani Vierra got the thrill of his life when he paddled out at Waimea Bay on O‘ahu last week.
And the surf wasn’t even big.
Vierra, Kaua‘i Fire Department Ocean Safety Bureau co-supervisor, got a chance to be part of the most famous circle in all of surfing at the annual Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau Big Wave Challenge opening ceremonies.
Just before sunset last Thursday, and joined by such legends as Clyde Aikau, Brian and Rusty Keaulana, Titus Kinimaka, and other watermen, Vierra paddled out to the lineup at the famous big-wave spot, held hands within the circle, and listened to the traditional Hawaiian blessing.
Then, to his complete surprise, he was named the 2004 Eddie Aikau Waterman of the Year at the annual lu‘au.
“Wow, what a great experience,” said Vierra Monday. “It’s one of the best things that has happened in my life.
“Just being part of the ceremony was a really amazing feeling. To me, I’m nobody compared to these guys,” Vierra added. “Just to be nominated, to be mentioned with the best watermen in the world…”
He couldn’t even finish the sentence.
“Titus, Brian Keaulana, Melvin Pu‘u, they’re my heroes. Just being in the circle, holding these guys’ hands,” was an honor, he said. “I love the ocean. I love this job.”
The award Vierra won puts him in such hallowed circles as his heroes, including past winners Keone Downing, Kinimaka, Keaulana, Pu‘u, and last year’s winner, Laird Hamilton, said Curt Smith, owner of the new Kaua‘i-based surf magazine, Nalu Underground.
“I don’t think it’s sunken in (for Vierra) what he has won,” said Smith. “Winning the Eddie award is just as big as winning the event itself.”
“Every surfer dreams of winning the Eddie,” he said. “I don’t think he realizes the capacity of the award. It’s not just (the best waterman) for the state, but internationally. That’s huge coming from Kaua‘i.”
Smith, who doubles as a Quiksilver employee, did some serious covert work to get Vierra to the event.
With the help of his brother, Mike, and others, Smith got Vierra, his wife, Tracy, their daughter, Eliza, and Vierra’s best friend, Dwayne Akau, to the ceremony without Vierra finding out he was going to get the top award.
“We pulled it off. He was totally surprised,” said Smith. “Kalani is well-deserving, and it couldn’t happen to a better person.”
Smith convinced Vierra to go by telling him he was the subject of a magazine photo shoot on O‘ahu’s famous North Shore for the weekend. After getting some great pictures at Gas Chambers, Smith said, Vierra and the Nalu crew made it the few miles to Waimea for the paddle-out ceremony and the lu‘au, where the award was announced.
“When (they) said ‘Kalani Vierra,’ I was totally shaking,” Vierra said. “Who am I? I wouldn’t expect this award. You see the (previous) watermen in the past 15, 20 years. Why me?”
Smith said that humility is typical of Vierra.
“It would’ve been hard to get him there without a specific reason,” Smith said. “He’s very humble. He’s not one of those fame seekers.
“Kaua‘i should be proud,” Smith said. “It’s not just surfers, but home of some of the best lifeguards around.”
Vierra completely agreed.
“There are a lot of good lifeguards, a lot of good watermen on this island,” Vierra said. “In my eyes, I don’t deserve it.”
Then he’s not going to believe he deserves the spread in the next issue of Nalu Underground magazine, either.
Smith, who called Vierra “like a brother,” is planning a huge spread in the next Nalu Underground issue, dedicated to the newest Waterman of the Year, he said.
“He’s going to be overwhelmed about the story we’ve done,” Smith said. “The people of Kaua‘i got a great water safety program with one of the best waterman in the world (as a supervisor).”
“Eddie, Brian (Keaulana), Melvin (Pu‘u) paved the road,” said Vierra. “I’m just following them.
“I’m so happy about this,” he said. “Just to be nominated, to be part of the ceremony, next to all the top dogs, that was my award right there. It was spiritual. It was heavy.”
Vierra added that Eddie Aikau was just as much of a legend as a lifeguard as a surfer.
Aikau, the first lifeguard on O‘ahu’s North Shore, is said to have pulled out hundreds, perhaps over a thousand, stranded swimmers in his life.
“He was a lifeguard. He didn’t apply. He was appointed,” said Vierra. “The county appointed the job for him.”
Aikau, who went missing at sea in 1978 after leaving the capsized sailing-canoe Hokule‘a to paddle for help, is honored at the big-wave event for his lasting legacy as a man of the ocean, from his big-wave surfing exploits at Waimea Bay, his heroic rescues, and his spiritual connection to the sea and fellow watermen.
The 20th Annual Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau event is the sport’s premier big-wave event, and it is only held if the surf exceeds 20 feet.
Vierra was nominated for the Aikau award because he won the Hawaii Lifeguard Association’s Waterman of the Year award in October, given to him because of his dedicated service.
“I didn’t put my name out there,” said Vierra.
Kaua‘i Mayor Bryan J. Baptiste offered his congratulations.
“Kalani’s love of not only the ocean but also for the people of Kaua‘i make him the ideal recipient of this award,” said the mayor in a statement. “He has worked tirelessly to protect our residents and visitors, often times far surpassing what was expected of him.
“Through his efforts to ensure the safety of those enjoying our waters,” Baptiste added, “Kalani has become a teacher, a hero, and an inspiration to many.”
Tom Finnegan, staff writer, may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or tfinnegan@pulitzer.net.
