DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARADVERTISER.COM

A large crowd gathered at Waimea Bay earlier today for the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau big-wave surfing contest.

DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARADVERTISER.COM

Danilo Couto runs to the start-off point in the first round as a beachgoer holds a broken board that washed ashore during the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau big-wave surf contest earlier today.

DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARADVERTISER.COM

Kelly Slater drops down a wave while competing in the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau big-wave surf contest earlier today. He finished in fifth.

DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARADVERTISER.COM

Ross Clarke-Jones, left, and David Wassel take on a wave while competing in the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau big-wave surf contest earlier today. Clarke-Jones went on to take second place.

DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARADVERTISER.COM

Mason Ho drops down a wave while competing in the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau big-wave surf contest earlier today.

DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARADVERTISER.COM

Ian Walsh catches a wave while competing in the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau big-wave surf contest earlier today.

DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARADVERTISER.COM

Ian Walsh catches a wave while competing in the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau big-wave surf contest earlier today.

DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARADVERTISER.COM

Kamehameha Highway was crowded with cars and people at the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau big-wave surf contest earlier today.

DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARADVERTISER.COM

Packed crowds are seen from Kamehameha Highway at the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau big-wave surf contest earlier today.

DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARADVERTISER.COM

John John Florence dries off before being called on stage to accept his winner’s check at the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau big-wave surf contest earlier today.

DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARADVERTISER.COM

John John Florence gets some air on a wave during the second round 2 at the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau big-wave surf contest earlier today.

DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARADVERTISER.COM

John John Florence holds up the winner’s check at the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau big-wave surf contest earlier today. From left are Solomon Aikau, Myra Aikau, Quiksilver co-founder Bob McKnight, Aaron Gold, John John Florence, Ross Clarke-Jones, Jamie Mitchell, Kelly Slater and Makuakai Rothman.

DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARADVERTISER.COM

A lifeguard on a jet ski heads into the water at the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau big-wave surf contest earlier today.

DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARADVERTISER.COM

A surfer competing in the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau big-wave surf contest caught a huge wave earlier today.

DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARADVERTISER.COM

John John Florence paddles into the water at the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau big-wave surf contest earlier today. Florence, 23, won the contest with a total of 301 points for his four scoring rides.

DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARADVERTISER.COM

Kelly Slater catches a wave at the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau big-wave surf contest earlier today.

DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARADVERTISER.COM

Kelly Slater catches a wave at the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau big-wave surf contest earlier today.

DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARADVERTISER.COM

John John Florence heads into the water at the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau big-wave surf contest earlier today.

DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARADVERTISER.COM

A surfer competing in the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau big-wave surf contest caught a huge wave earlier today. A board is barely visibly at the top of the wave.

DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARADVERTISER.COM

Eager fans kept vigil overnight in anticipation of the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau surf event today.

NICK ABRAMO / NABRAMO@STARADVERTISER.COM

A tribute to the late big-wave surfer Brock Little was seen this morning in front of Sts. Peter and Paul Mission Church at Waimea Bay.

DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARADVERTISER.COM

A large crowd awaited word on whether the ‘Eddie’ would be held today. In the foreground are Elton Yu and his three daughters, Alysa, left, 13, Ako, 9, and Akari, 15.

CRAIG GIMA / CGIMA@STARADVERTISER.COM

A large crowd gathered this morning to watch the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau big-wave surf contest.

CRAIG GIMA / CGIMA@STARADVERTISER.COM

Surfers paddled out at Waimea Bay this morning before the start of the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau big-wave surf contest.

KIM YUEN / KYUEN@STARADVERTISER.COM

Crowds gathered early this morning to watch the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau big-wave surfing contest at Waimea Bay.

DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARADVERTISER.COM

A surfer entered the water at the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau big-wave surfing contest this morning.

DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARADVERTISER.COM

A surfer took off on a wave at the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau big-wave surfing contest today.