Legendary Hawaiian surfer Eddie Aikau’s enduring legacy of courage, service, and aloha is being celebrated across the islands through a series of engaging events and initiatives. Spearheaded by Kona Brewing Hawaiʻi in partnership with the Eddie Aikau Foundation, these efforts aim to honor Aikau’s spirit while promoting Hawaiian culture and community.
Key Takeaways
- A statewide sweepstakes offers custom surfboards designed by Native Hawaiian artist JT Ojerio.
- Community surf events are planned for 2026, featuring professional surfers and local talent.
- The initiatives support the Eddie Aikau Foundation’s mission, including the "Eddie Would Go" Essay Contest.
"Catch a Big Wave with Your Longboard" Sweepstakes
Kona Brewing Hawaiʻi has launched a statewide sweepstakes titled “Catch a Big Wave with Your Longboard.” This promotion features unique, custom surfboards adorned with artwork by Native Hawaiian artist JT Ojerio. Each design is a tribute to Aikau’s exceptional surfing abilities, his bravery, and his spirit of aloha.
Community members aged 21 and older can enter the sweepstakes until February 28, 2026. To participate, individuals need to find special codes inside select Longboard Lager 12-packs available at participating retailers across Hawaiʻi. The sweepstakes not only offers a chance to win these artistic surfboards and other prizes but also aims to raise awareness for the Eddie Aikau Foundation.
Community Surf Events and Cultural Promotion
Beyond the sweepstakes, the celebration extends into 2026 with community surf events planned on the Big Island. These gatherings will be hosted in Kona and emceed by comedian and social media personality Tumua Tuinei. The events are designed to bring together professional surfers, local wave riders, and the wider community for a day of surfing, live music, and positive energy, embodying Aikau’s spirit.
Further details regarding the community surf event will be announced in January. In the meantime, fans are encouraged to enter the sweepstakes and participate in a social media giveaway called “Guess the Date.” The campaign also invites everyone to share their own stories of courage, service, and aloha using the hashtags #EddieWouldGo and #KonaBrewingHawaii.
The sweepstakes and associated events directly support the Eddie Aikau Foundation’s mission to foster education and advance Hawaiian culture. This includes backing the “Eddie Would Go” Essay Contest, a notable competition in Hawaiʻi that offers categories in both English and Hawaiian languages.
![[Carissa Moore] surfing a large wave, mid-air.](https://bombasurf.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/b6390cefthumbnail-300x169.jpeg)
