50 foot waves expected in Hawaii, surf contest cancelled

Waves much larger than usual and anywhere from 40-to-50 feet are expected to hit Oahu's north shore.

The National Weather Service in Hawaii has forecast the giant waves and gusty winds to arrive on Wednesday, the day the contest was supposed to have taken place.

The weather forecasted has forced organizers to postpone the event until conditions approve.

"We have taken all the time we can to assess the developments of the next big swell and it does not look favorable for us," said event organizer Glen Moncata. "The size is there, but the quality is not, due to strong, adverse winds."

CNN notes that the surf contest is to honor Eddie Aikau, a famous Oahu lifeguard and big wave surfer who disappeared in 1978 during a canoe expedition from Hawaii to Tahiti.

The major swell also threatens much of the north shore’s already vulnerable beachfront properties.

Last month, 25-foot tall waves crashed offshore and sent water onto lanais, exposing concrete foundations. Waves double that size will cause much more flooding and significant damage to the properties.