Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell wants to work with the family of surfing legend Eddie Aikau and the permit holders to find a solution that allows the world famous big-waves surfing competition to take place this year.

The mayor is expected to issue a statement this afternoon that says that the city is working with its attorneys to find a way to allow the “the Eddie” to go this year.

The family of Eddie Aikau said this morning that they want to continue the world famous big-wave surfing competition this year despite the severing of ties with sponsor Quiksilver.

At a news conference at the family’s Punchbowl home, members of the family called on city leaders to help them resolve ongoing permitting issues related to the annual event at Waimea Bay.

“We’re fighting really hard to continue the legacy of Eddie Aikau,” said brother Solomon Aikau, president of the Eddie Aikau Foundation.

The city approved a permit for the upcoming December-to-February waiting-period but the application was specifically for Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau, and the permit may no longer be valid with the two sides unable to come to terms on an agreement for continued sponsorship.

The family’s attorney, Seth Reiss, said Quiksilver has made the permit available to family, but it still may not be valid.

“We must work with the city to see if that’s possible,” he said.

Dozens of big-wave surfers and surfing professionals attended the news conference.

The surf competition was established in 1984 in honor Eddie Aikau, the talented surfer and first North Shore lifeguard who died in 1978 while attempting to get help for fellow crew members of the voyaging canoe Hokule‘a, which had overturned in waters off Molokai.

“It’s very important to keep the status quo,” Solomon Aikau said. “The event is important to the state of Hawaii. It’s part of our culture. We hope the legacy continues.”