‘I’m still on a high’: Maui woman takes on monstrous ‘Eddie’ waves for first time
WAIMEA BAY (HawaiiNewsNow) - A Maui mother of two is still buzzing after getting to surf in her first-ever Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational.
Tiare Lawrence, a community leader following the wildfires, got called off the alternates list when an invitee couldn’t make it.
“It was magnificent. I just truly felt so honored to be a part of the beautiful event,” she said.
SPECIAL SECTION: THE EDDIE
Lawrence charged the monstrous “Eddie” waves in heat two alongside watermen Billy Kemper, Jamie O’Brien and Joey Cadiz.
“It meant the world to me to represent my ohana, to represent my community. I kept Lahaina in my heart throughout my heat. I kept thinking about, this is for my community. I need to show up, blow up, and just take in the moment and represent,” she said.
“It was definitely spiritual. I cried before my heat, during my heat, cried gain before my second heat, and it was tears of joy and feeling like I had to live in the moment and the emotions just came to me right before my heat. I’m still on a high from Sunday.”
Lawrence said she believes she was the only Lahaina native who participated in the big wave contest and would love an opportunity to participate again if invited.
Copyright 2024 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
