In his book Passed Through Fire, pastor Rick Bundschuh tells the story of Hawaiian surfer Eddie Aikau:

If you ever visit Hawaii, you may notice a plethora of bumper stickers, most affixed to rusting, surfboard-laden cars, proclaiming, "Eddie would go!" This curious saying is a tribute to the courage of Hawaiian waterman Eddie Aikau.

Aikau was a lifeguard and big-wave surfer on Oahu's treacherous North Shore. Strong and confident in the water, Eddie wouldn't pull back on any wave…regardless of how big or how dangerous. During the spring of 1978, Eddie was a crewman on the Hokule'a, a replica of an ancient Hawaiian sailing vessel that was making its way toward Tahiti. Somewhere in the Hawaiian channel, in stormy seas and gale-force winds, the boat overturned, casting all onboard into the water.

After a night of the crew members futilely trying to attract passing boats and planes with flares, Eddie Aikau volunteered to paddle his surfboard, which he kept on the Hokule'a, to get help. He had assessed the situation and realized that options were running out. Soon the prevailing currents would take them far out to sea and beyond the reasonable hope of rescue.

There was no restraining Eddie. He was determined to go, and if anyone could make the arduous paddle, it was this outstanding waterman.

He set off with a strobe light and a ring of oranges around his neck for what he estimated would be a twelve-mile paddle to the tiny island of Lana'i.

He was never seen again.

A passing boat later rescued the crew of the Hokule'a. Eddie's willingness to risk—even to sacrifice his life—has made him a legend to other watermen around the world. Men push other men to go farther, to risk more, with three simple words: "Eddie would go!"