Sunday, November 14, was a very hard day on the island of Kauai for many of its residents. Why is that? Well, one of our heroes was committed to the sea.

Andy Irons was returned to the island for his funeral on Sunday, accompanied by his family and several friends and natives. His ashes were laid to rest in Hanalei Bay, a site of extreme beauty and peace and a place Andy himself loved. It was a beautiful ceremony and a sobering event. He will very much be missed.

I guess it goes without saying that Andy Irons was a personal hero of mine. I used to watch him surf, wishing that I could fly across the waves like he did. Of course, if you have read this blog before, then you know that I can’t surf at all. It’s like watching a rag doll fall down the stairs. But when Andy took up a board, it was like he could walk on air.

I remember watching him for the very first time several years ago. There were some big waves that day, and most of the surfers on the island were out in force. But you could clearly tell which one was Andy. Not only did all of the other surfers stop and stare at him, but he also out-surfed them all, and he made it look effortless. I remember wanting to learn to surf so badly after that. I even went out on the water with a few friends. But unfortunately that lesson ended the same way that all of the previous ones had: I was waterlogged and bruised.

I dearly hope that Irons’ widow knows how much he will be missed by the world, especially those of us on Kauai. It is such an honor to have our Hanalei Bay be his final resting place.