HALEIWA, Hawaii — The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational, also known as “The Eddie,” is a go, according to the Eddie Aikau Foundation.

Organizers said on Thursday morning that the event was set to go on Jan. 22.

A three-colored code alert system is used to send updates about the surf competition. Green means the Eddie is a "go" and will be held in 2 to 3 days. Yellow means there is a possible large Eddie-size swell coming in 5 to 7 days. Red means there is no large big wave surf expected in the next week. 

The status is now green. 

The infamous big wave surf contest is only called on if surf heights consistently reach 20-feet between Dec. 14, 2022 through March 23, 2023. Jet skis are not allowed to tow in surfers.

Last week Monday, organizers said the contest was set to go Wednesday, but by 7 a.m. on Tuesday it was called off. The event was canceled because of the direction of the swell and poor wind conditions. 

Only 28 surfers are invited to compete in the contest.

The Eddie last ran in 2016, when waves in the bay reached heights of 30 to 50 feet; Hawaii's John John Florence won. 

Known as the “Super Bowl of Surfing,” over 1.2 million streaming views were recorded during the last event. A link for a live stream of the surf competition can be found on the official website. 

Since starting in 1984, the contest has only been held nine times. 

The contest is named for Eddie Aikau, who was a legendary waterman, crew member of the the Polynesian voyaging canoe Hokulea and lifeguard at Waimea Bay. He was the first lifeguard for the North Shore, braving waves that were 30 feet or more to save hundreds of people. 

He died when he was only 31, after Hokulea capsized and he paddled toward the shore of Lanai on his surfboard in an attempt to get help.

Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii. Email her at michelle.brodervandyke@charter.com.