Derek Ho, Hawaii’s first native Hawaiian men’s surfing world champion, died Friday, July 17 from an alleged heart attack. He was just 55-years-old.
Born in Kailua in 1964, Ho won the Triple Crown four times in 1984, 1986, 1988, and 1990. Additionally, the hometown hero won the prestigious Pipe Masters in 1986 and 1993.
“Everyone who thinks of Derek thinks of Pipeline” friend and award-winning surf photographer Brian Bielmann told KHON2. “He’s been around so long that he had all the respect, he got any wave he wanted, deservingly so, and he was super stylish and smooth and because he’s been around all these decades he had that sort-of style from that era and he brought it into now.”
The World Surf League sent out the following statement:
“It’s horribly sad to learn of the passing of Derek Ho. A four-time Triple Crown Winner, a two-time Pipe Master and the winner of the 1993 World Title, Derek left an indelible mark on the international surfing world and has been a pillar of the North Shore community for five decades. Our hearts are with his loved ones. He will be missed. He will be remembered.”
Pro surfer x musician Landon McNamara shared an Instagram video, writing, “I love you Uncle D thank you for paving the way and being an inspiration for a GoofyFooter. The NorthShore, The surfing world, and Pipeline will never be the same again.”
