‘The Eddie’ is underway at Waimea Bay.

The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational got the green light for Sunday, city officials said Friday, and a final call to proceed was made official by race officials Sunday morning.

It is the 11^th time that the competition has been held since its start in 1984. The city expected North Shore waves to exceed 30 feet.

Honolulu lifeguard Luke Shepardson won the most recent edition in January 2023. Another Oahu North Shore native, John John Florence, claimed victory in 2016.

Shepardson and Florence are among the six past champions in the field of 35 men’s invitees, 24 of whom hail from Hawaii. In addition, there are 10 women’s invitees, including six from Hawaii.

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi held a press conference Friday afternoon to discuss how city officials will prepare for a huge crowd at Waimea Bay. Contest organizer Clyde Aikau joined Blangiardi at Honolulu Hale.

"We remain optimistic the 'Eddie will go,'" the city said in a news release afterward. It expects a very large crowd and urged most residents to stay home and watch live event coverage on KHII and RipCurl's YouTube Channel from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The city will install parking barriers on both sides of Kamehameha Highway from Iliohu Place to the Mission of Saints Peter and Paul on the other side of the bay. The parking lot at Waimea Bay will be closed to the public starting 10 a.m. on Saturday to reserve space for event staff and contestants. There is paid parking in Waimea Valley for $50 in the front lots and $30 in the rear lots until full.

The city urges beach-goers to be prepared to take rubbish with them when they leave and to be mindful of personal items that can be swept up by the high surf.

Note: This story was updated Sunday that The Eddie was officially underway.

Brian McInnis covers the state's sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at brian.mcinnis@charter.com.