HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Organizers of the 2024 Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational have given the green light for the competition to begin at 8 a.m. Sunday.

Tens of thousands of people are expected to attend the historic event on Oahu’s North Shore, and Hawaii News Now will be following the action live online throughout the day.

If you plan to go to Waimea Bay Beach Park, be aware that the City is implementing procedures to ensure the safety and enjoyment of surfers, staff and spectators.

Here’s what you need to know:

THE EDDIE IS ON: Check out our full coverage

Public Safety

First responders, including police, fire, marine safety, medical services and emergency management personnel, will be stationed or on alert to ensure public safety during this popular large-scale surfing event.

Unless you are an experienced seagoer, stay away from the ocean and shorelines along the north and west coasts during this high surf period.

Waves of more than 30 feet are expected on the North Coast, while the Leeward Coast could see waves of 25 feet or more over the weekend.

Honolulu Ocean Safety and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) are increasing their resources to ensure public safety during this time of extremely high surf. Ocean Safety will deploy three lifeboats (jet skis), including an additional jet ski rescue unit specifically patrolling the north shore, and will staff Waimea Bay with additional lifeguards from 6am

Honolulu EMS will mobilize three EMS crews with ambulances, an EMS SUV with a paramedic, and an EMS command vehicle to provide comprehensive medical care throughout the event.

Officers from the Honolulu Police Department will be providing traffic control and event management alongside private security guards beginning Saturday evening.

It is critical that emergency vehicle access to Kamehameha Highway is maintained. Please pay attention to barriers restricting parking along the highway to ensure the passage of these vehicles.

To ensure public safety, event organizers strongly recommend that personal drones not be used during this event in the Waimea Bay region.

Additional city emergency personnel will be on standby should high surf in Waimea Bay, the North Shore or Leeward Island of Oahu result in additional dangerous conditions.

Parking restrictions

The Waimea Bay Beach Park parking lot will close to the public starting Saturday, December 21 at 10 p.m. The parking lot is reserved exclusively for authorized event participants (staff and participants) and official city vehicles. Pickup and drop-off service is available for those requiring ADA access.

Beginning Saturday, December 21, 2024 at 10 p.m., public parking will be prohibited on both sides of Kamehameha Highway from “Ili’ohu Place” to Mission of Saints Peter & Paul Church for the duration of the event.

Temporary barriers will be installed along the shoulders to prevent parking and ensure safe pedestrian access. Police officers will patrol the area to enforce parking restrictions. Vehicles parked in the exclusion zone will be subject to charges and/or towing at the owner’s expense.

If the event is canceled, the barriers will be removed promptly and the parking restrictions will be lifted.

During the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational, Waimea Valley, located on the mauka side of Kamehameha Highway, will open its parking and services to competition participants.

Limited parking in Waimea Valley for beachgoers will be $50 in front lots and $30 in rear lots starting at 4 a.m. Sunday until the lots are full.

Cars are not allowed to enter before this time and no queues are permitted at the gates.

Valley visitor operations will remain open during regular hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with limited parking available for valley visitors. Restrooms and food and beverage concessions will also be open at the Waimea Valley Visitor Center starting at 4 a.m. Sunday.

Public transportation

Traffic around Waimea Bay will be significantly impacted during the Eddie Big Wave Invitational, including parking in and near the beach park.

To ease congestion, the city will provide four additional early morning buses on Route 52 from Honolulu to the North Shore.

These special trips on Route 52 operate directly to Waimea Bay and depart from the Mauka (mountain) side of the Ala Moana Center at Kona Street and Kona Iki Street at the following times:

• 4:30am
• 5 a.m
• 5:30am
• 6 a.m

There are signs on the buses that read “52 HALEʻIWA-WAIMEA BAY.”

Regular Route 52 service

• The line 52 buses run every 30 minutes from 6:20 a.m
• Passengers on regular Route 52 trips must transfer to Route 60 at Weed Circle to reach Waimea Bay.
• Due to expected heavy traffic, travel time to Waimea Bay may be more than two hours. Please plan accordingly.

Park and ride options

• Passengers can park at the following locations along Route 52:
  • Kalihi Transit Center
  • Mililani Park and Ride
  • Wahiawa Armory
  • Wahiawa Park and Ride

Shuttle services

• TheBus will offer special shuttles between Haleiwa and Waimea Bay:
  • Shuttles marked “60 WAIMEA BAY” run from Haleiwa to Waimea Bay.
  • Shuttles marked “60 HALEʻIWA” run from Waimea Bay to Haleiwa.
• The shuttle service runs every 30 minutes between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., but there may be delays due to traffic conditions.

Return travel options

• Passengers returning after the event can:
  • Take Route 60 via Kaneohe to Honolulu and the Ala Moana Center.
  • Take Route 60 back to Haleiwa and transfer to Route 52 at Weed Circle.

Regular rates and passes apply. Transfers and day tickets are possible with valid HOLO cards. For more information, click here or call (808) 848-5555.

Parking facilities

Officials urge the public to dispose of waste properly and follow park rules. While extra toilets and trash cans are available, pack what you pack. Also, be sure to secure your belongings when you are on the beach as the high waves can wash away loose items at any time.

Other rules will be enforced including no alcohol, no smoking, no large canopies (unless permitted at the event), no drones and no fully enclosed tents in the beach park.

There are no authorized food concessions at Beach Park for this event. Please bring necessary supplies if you plan to spend the day at the bay. This includes food, sun protection and plenty of water. Park showers and drinking fountains are also available for fresh water needs.

If you are in the Bay during this event, please plan to have limited or no telecommunications capabilities. Due to Waimea Bay’s geographic location, telecommunications disruptions may occur frequently, particularly when tens of thousands of viewers are using cell phone and Internet services simultaneously.

Previous coverage:

The Eddie has only taken part 10 times in the last 40 years and participation is by invitation only.

The competition last took place in January 2023. City lifeguard Luke Shepardson has written his name in the history books after beating the world’s best big wave surfers.

Viewers can also stream the competition on rogue.tv or ripcurl.com.

Further information:

• Rip Curl The Eddie Big Wave Invitational
• TheEddieAikau.com

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