The Eddie surf contest may go on Sunday.
On Wednesday evening, officials changed the status to “yellow” for the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational, as they closely watch conditions for Sunday, Dec. 22, when a massive swell is expected.
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.
Officials said they will make a decision on Friday if they are changing to "green" status, according to a news release.
The infamous big wave surf contest is only called on if surf heights consistently reach 20-feet (when measured from the back) between December 14, 2024 through March 13, 2025. Jet skis are not allowed to tow in surfers.
Only 35 male surfers and 10 female surfers were invited to compete in the contest.
The Eddie was last held in 2023, when Luke Shepardson, a Honolulu Ocean Safety lifeguard, won. It was the first year that women competed in the contest.
Before that, the Eddie was held in 2016, when waves in the bay reached heights of 30 to 50 feet. Hawaii's John John Florence won.
Since starting in 1984, the contest has only been held 10 times.
The contest is named for Eddie Aikau, who was a legendary waterman, crew member of 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.