HONOLULU (KHON2) – The city is diligently preparing for the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational to begin at 8 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 22, and is making every effort to ensure it runs smoothly.

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They urge anyone traveling to Waimea Bay to be patient, follow the rules and be aware of their surroundings at all times.

“We expect about 40,000 to 50,000 people to be on the beach,” said Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi. “This is unprecedented for those who know this number.”

Packing so many people into such a small space and mixing that with the unpredictability of Mother Nature can be a recipe for disaster.

Ocean Safety Acting Director Kurt Lager asks everyone to listen to lifeguards.

“There will be very big waves,” Lager said. “(Lifeguards) will ask you to stay as far away from where the water is rising as possible.”

During the final Eddie of 2023, a wild wave washed up, sweeping spectators into the sea, and several others were also injured that day.

“Therefore, pay attention to all warning signs and barrier tapes. Please keep a safe distance and listen to the warnings,” said Lager.

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The Waimea Bay car park will be closed. Police are setting up barriers and parking is prohibited along the Kamehameha Highway leading to the bay.

“If cars are found violating the regulations, they will likely be cited and possibly towed,” Honolulu Police Capt. Cliff Ramson said. “We wanted to ensure safe and efficient traffic flow as traffic has always been a problem in the past, particularly in this particular area. Our priority is to ensure emergency vehicles have access.”

Officers will patrol on bicycles, motorbikes and on foot to keep the road clear.

Waimea Valley opens at 4 a.m. and offers paid parking, but these are expensive and will likely fill up quickly.

The city’s transit agency suggests carpooling or taking TheBus. TheBus also offers a special shuttle from Weed Circle in Haleiwa to the bay that runs every half hour from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m

Officials would also like to remind everyone that there are no organized concessions in Waimea Bay. Remember to wear comfortable shoes, bring sunscreen, water and food, and everything you need for the day. They also ask you to pack out your trash.

The surf will be big along the entire North Shore, not just Waimea. As a result, waves are likely to stream across the Kamehameha Highway in other areas as well.

“We will have additional jet skis on patrol on both sides of the bay in response to emergency calls and in the bay itself,” Lager explained. “We also have a mobile task force that will be patrolling the area, Three Tables and Sharks Cove.”

Unless you absolutely have to be on the north coast, avoid the area.

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KHON2 is Eddie’s official broadcast partner. You can watch it live on KHII channel 5 or 1005 and Rogue.tv starting at 8 a.m. Sunday

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