The Eddie Aikau Foundation and state Department of Education have announced winners of the inaugural Eddie Aikau Essay Contest. The contest was open to seventh-, eighth- and ninth-graders throughout the state.

The competition, which drew more than 100 entries, required an original essay that captured surfing icon Aikau's influence on the student's own values and actions today. Entries were accepted in English and Hawaiian.

An official awards ceremony will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. today, at the Hawai'i Maritime Center.

"The essays we received were truly inspirational," said Myra Aikau, Eddie's sister. "From their writings, it is easy to see that what touched them the most is what stands out to all of us about Eddie: that he put other people's lives ahead of his own, and that his legacy continues to inspire and motivate people to this day."

Eddie Aikau was Waimea Bay's first official lifeguard and emerged from there as one of the pioneer big-wave riders of the day. A Hawaiian who was deeply aware of his heritage, Aikau was aboard the ill-fated Hokule'a voyage from Hawai'i to Tahiti in 1978. The voyaging canoe was swamped in heavy seas in the Ka'iwi Channel. Eddie Aikau was last seen paddling away to seek help for his shipmates.

THE WINNERS ARE:

7TH GRADE

WINNERS:

Zoey Malaluan, King Intermediate School, Kane'ohe

Nolan Brack, Halau Lokahi Public Charter School, Wai'anae

Santana Soria, Kea'au Middle School, Big Island

HONORABLE MENTION:

Alex Owens, Kea'au Middle School, Big Island

La'akea Aiu-Horie, Waimea Middle School, Big Island

8TH GRADE

WINNERS:

Patti Connors, Pa'auilo Intermediate, Big Island

Leighna-Ann Lariosa, Niu Valley Middle School

Kari Naborikawa, Niu Valley Middle School

HONORABLE MENTION:

Holly Fishbach, Niu Valley Middle School

Ryo Funahashi, Niu Valley Middle School

Sara Wong, Niu Valley Middle School

Ronson Hill, Niu Valley Middle School

Jin Ru Schiller, Niu Valley Middle School

9TH GRADE

WINNERS:

Cory Martin-Burrows, Pahoa High & Intermediate, Big Island

Blake Berinobis, Hakipu'u Learning, Kane'ohe

HAWAIIAN DIVISION

WINNER:

Kehaulani Keli'i, 'Anuenue School, Wai'anae