On January 28, 1998 the little town of Waimea Bay on the north shore of Oahu, Hawaii was inundated by people, not only from the islands, but from around the world. The word had gone out that something was about to happen that was unique. Surfers all over the world were alerted to the expectations that some really big waves were about to hit the islands, and they were invited to participate in a contest of stamina and skill that is only held whenever waves exceed twenty-five feet in height. And so they came from Australia, mainland USA, and Europe, to participate in what promised to be the experience of a lifetime. The record for big waves had been set back in 1969, but according to the warnings being sent out, this event promised to exceed any past events. A huge typhoon had occurred in the northern Pacific Ocean near Japan with sustained winds of hurricane force for over 36 hours, and the waves produced by these winds were headed toward Hawaii. These waves were large even in the open ocean, but when they encountered a shallow area such as a reef or underlying shelf such as is found in Waimea Bay, the waves would be lifted up and become much higher, and in this case forty-foot waves were expected. Since one cubic foot of water weighs about sixty four pounds, a wall of water forty feet high would weigh tons. Four buoys with radio transmitters are located in the ocean north and south of the islands to detect and give warning of any large wave action such as a tsunami, and these buoys alerted the authorities of the approaching onslaught. All boats were ordered into sheltered harbor, and the harbor patrol closed the beaches to all swimmers and surfers, so the surfing contest was cancelled.
As the giant waves began crashing ashore, the spectators watched in awe. No one had seen waves like this before; even experienced surfers were daunted by their size and power. However, the I-Max filming crews were there with their cameras and helicopters in hopes of getting some pictures for an upcoming documentary on extreme sports, and they talked a dozen hardy surfers into braving the waves. This was a challenge they couldn't pass up, so they sneaked past the harbor patrol, and were towed by jet-ski out to where the waves were breaking. People watched from shore with telescopes and telephoto lenses, and from I-Max and Coast Guard helicopters overhead; fortunately no one was injured.
Only those who have been in a storm at sea, or have witnessed giant waves crashing on shore, or who have surfed, can appreciate the power of these wind-generated monster waves; they are a fearsome demonstration of nature's power. How much more powerful is the Creator, "For He commands and raises the stormy wind, which lifts up the waves of the sea" (Ps. 107:25). What an awesome God He is, for He is "mightier than the mightiest wave."
