July 23 is Derek Ho Day
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Today is Derek Ho Day.
It's a day to honor one of surfing’s all-time greats who died from a heart attack in 2020 at the age of 55. The Pipe legend was the 1993 World Champ and 4x Triple Crown winner, father to Makoa and Kiana Ho, and uncle to pro surfers Mason and Coco Ho.
Ho's nephew Mason Ho posted a clip in honor of his uncle on Instagram today.
Mason captioned the post: "Happy Derek Ho Day in Hawaii. July 23."
Among other responses, Coco Ho commented, "Purest ☺️💫"
Makoa Ho responded,"❤️🔥"
North Shore shaper Bret Marumoto said, "D always had the best words to describe surfing & life experiences —-such a hammer 🔨 miss him ❤️💛💚"
Surfer and musician Makua Rothman announced the celebratory day on Instagram two years ago when Ho's ashes were spread at Ehukai Beach on the North Shore.
Rothman captioned the post: "Sending uncle @derekho1980 home to Ke Akua with @cocom4debarrelkilla and the entire HO ohana! Thank u @makoa_hoand @kianaho_ for trusting me to speak on behalf of your DAD and to officially introduce Today July 23rd as Derek Ho Day in Hawaii and the rest of the world Forever! Aloha wau ia ‘oe a Me ke aloha pau ‘ole anakala Derek. I love you with never ending aloha. Mākua"
The State of Hawaii document below posted by Ho's widow, Tanya, declared Derek Ho Day. Among other things, it said:
"Whereas, with hundreds of competitions and victories since early childhood including the 1984 Duke Kahanamoku Classic, the 1986 Pipe Masters and the Triple Crown in 1984, 1986, 1988 and 1990, Derek K. Ho became synonymous with the Banzai Pipeline and was a pillar of the North Shore community for decades..."
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