Hawaii’s first World Surfing Champion Derek Ho passes away at 55

22 Apr 1997: Professional surfer Derek Ho surfs the Bonzai Pipeline in North Shore, Hawaii. Mandatory Credit: Jed Jacobsohn /Allsport

Posted: Jul 17, 2020 / 11:54 PM HST

Updated: Jul 19, 2020 / 08:08 PM HST

HONOLULU (KHON2) — Derek Ho, Hawaii’s first ever men’s professional world surfing champion, has died.

According to friends of the legendary surfer, the 55-year-old passed away on Friday afternoon, July 17, after suffering a heart attack.

In 1993, Ho became the first Hawaii native to claim a world championship under the banner of the Association of Surfing Professionals, which is now known as the World Surf League.

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The man. The myth. The legend. Our hero. Words can never express what this man stood for and meant to all of us growing up here in Hawaii. From the first time I surfed #Sunset and #Pipeline 38 years ago until now #UncleD was always on the best waves and dominating. He always surfed more than anyone. Always so psyched. More psyched to surf than anyone I have ever met. Only #UncleMike and #Mason came close. Going to miss that smile and that #Mana. My Aloha goes out to the Ho Ohana. Love you guys. I’m always here for you. Love you Uncle D ! ❤️ You always put a smile on my face. #FirstHawaiianWorldChamp #Hawaiian #KanakaMaoli #NorthshoresFinest #WaimanaloBoy #LegendsNeverDie #RestinParadise #AhuiHou

A post shared by Kala Alexander (@kala_dacaptain) on Jul 18, 2020 at 1:00am PDT

Ho is a four time Triple Crown champion having been etched his name into the trophy in 1984, 1986, 1988, and 1990. The Kailua High School graduate is also a a two-time winner of the prestigious Pipe Masters having claimed titles in 1986 and his world title season of 1993.

(L-R) Hawaii’s pro surfers Mason Ho, Bruce Irons and Derek Ho take part in the opening ceremony of the 2019 Eddie Aikau Big wave Invitational Surfing Event at Waimea Bay on the north shore of Oahu in Hawaii on December 5, 2019. (Photo by Brian Bielmann / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by BRIAN BIELMANN/AFP via Getty Images)

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RIP Derek Ho. 🙏🏻 Sending prayers to the Ho family and his Ohana @derekho1980 photo (c) @erikkabik – The great Derek Ho, brother to Michael, uncle to Mason and Coco, four-time Triple Crown winner, two-time Pipe Master and Hawaii’s first-ever men’s world champ (1993) has died, aged fifty-five. – I captured this image of Derek in January 2020 when he competed in the Volcom pipe pro at Banzai Pipeline on Oahu Hawaii. On this morning there were no waves, so I didn’t get him surfing but I was honored to meet this legend and have a chance to snap a photo of him. He was a true inspiration to many. #derekho #surfchampion #surflegend #ripderekho #surfing #surfer

A post shared by Erik Kabik (@erikkabik) on Jul 18, 2020 at 1:47am PDT

Pro surfers and members of the surfing community began to express their aloha for the legendary surfer on Friday evening.

Legend never die 😔💔 RIP uncle D. Real soldier of the good vibes. Soldier of the sea. Love you guys. I will remember this vibe always pic.twitter.com/M3kbVai8ML
— Jeremy Flores (@floresjeremy) July 18, 2020

Stay with KHON2 on-air and online for more on the legendary Derek Ho.

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Lāhui, please pray for uncle @derekho1980 as he is on a ventilator in a coma. If anyone can pull out of this it’s uncle D, him and uncle mike taught me and showed me and many other the ropes growing up. 🙏🏽 please lord, be with uncle Derek at this time and please keep his ohana safe.

A post shared by Jason Magallanes (@surfermags) on Jul 17, 2020 at 12:59pm PDT

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