Surfing’s top stars are expected to attend Monday’s Surfer Poll awards event at the Turtle Bay Resort.

It’s the first time in the history of the long-running event, created by Surfer Magazine in 1963, that the awards will be handed out in Hawaii. Organizers said that is being done to take advantage of the professional surf season’s climactic event: the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing.

This year’s Surfer Poll also is expected to serve as a tribute to three-time world champion Andy Irons, 32, who died Nov. 2.

Surfer Poll recognizes the men and women judged by magazine readers to be the most progressive ambassadors of their sport. The Surfer Poll also judges surfing’s top videos, with 26 feature-length productions in the running. In addition, judges hand out awards for rides captured on film, from Best Barrel to Worst Wipeout.

A panel of Surfer staffers, filmmakers and industry insiders determine the winners. But the readers this year get to have their say for Digital Short of the Year.

Although the invitation-only banquet is closed to the public, the event can be viewed via live webcast on Surferpoll.com, starting at 7 p.m. You can also view it on TV on Oceanic Cable 250 (1250 in HD). A pair of viewing parties will be held at Breakers Restaurant & Bar in Haleiwa and at the Varsity Bar & Grill in Honolulu.

Also check the Star-Advertiser’s online entertainment site, www.honolulupulse.com, for event coverage.