The biggest waves in a decade are pounding Hawaii 's North Shore . Visitors and locals alike marveled in their wake -- 40 to 50 feet high at Oahu , according to the National Weather Service . `` It 's crazy , '' Peter Panais of Canada told CNN affiliate KHON . `` Honestly , these are probably the biggest waves I 've ever seen in my entire life . '' The ocean swells have plenty of wow factor . `` I 've got some mates back in Aussie that I 've already sent videos to , who keep asking for more videos , more videos , '' said Australian visitor Micka Murphy . `` They want to see more . '' But even the locals were impressed by the powerful waves . `` It 's a spectacle . It 's incredible , '' North Shore resident Daniela Power said . `` It 's so big and massive and powerful and it 's really a special thing to watch for sure . '' Share video of the waves with CNN iReport if you can capture it safely . The heavy surf peaked Wednesday night , but waves were still supposed to reach 30 to 40 feet on Thursday . A high surf advisory will be in place until Friday morning . Hawaii has n't experienced waves this large since 2004 , said Sam Houston , a forecaster with the weather service . Surfing event canceled . The massive waves would appear to be a surfer 's paradise , but organizers of a big wave surf contest postponed this week 's event . Although they said the waves measured up , the wind conditions did n't . `` 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 , '' event organizer Glen Moncata said at the beginning of the week . `` The size is there , but the quality is not , due to strong , adverse winds . '' World 's 50 best surf spots . Organizers of the big wave event said they will keep waiting until the end of February for `` just one day of quality surf '' when wave face heights reach around 40 feet . The contest is held in honor of Eddie Aikau , a famous Oahu lifeguard who was regarded as one of the best big wave surfers of the 1960s and '70s . Aikau disappeared in 1978 during a canoe expedition from Hawaii to Tahiti . The event -- the Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau big wave invitational -- is n't an annual occurrence . It has taken place eight times , starting in 1984 . It was last held in December 2009 when Greg Long of California claimed victory . The invitees to this year 's event include Long , Aiku 's younger brother Clyde , 11-time world champion Kelly Slater and Carlos Burle , who gained global renown for surfing an enormous wave in Portugal last year . Why such huge waves ? A large storm with hurricane-force winds is spinning far north of the islands , but is sending a giant swell toward the warning areas , according to CNN meteorologist Brandon Miller . Althought fun to watch , the big waves are prompting concern among beachfront home owners whose houses risk being flooded or are on cliffs vulnerable to erosion . The American Red Cross says it has volunteers and supplies on standby for any homes that are affected , CNN affiliate KHNL/KGMB reported . Surfers ride the storm in Europe .
`` Honestly , these are probably the biggest waves I 've ever seen in my entire life , '' visitor says . Hawaii has n't experienced waves this large since 2004 . A big wave surf contest has been postponed because of bad wind conditions . `` The size is there , but the quality is not , '' an event organizer says .