SMALL SHARK INJURES GIRL AT KAHANA BEACH

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES

News Release

NEIL ABERCROMBIE
GOVERNOR

For Immediate Release: June 26, 2012

KAHULUI — The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is responding to a shark incident reported about 10 a.m. today at Kahana Beach, fronting the Hololani Resort, 4401 Lower Honoapiilani Hwy., located a third of a mile north of the surf area known as “S-turns.”

Maui County reported that Maui County Ocean Safety and Maui Fire Department officers arrived and found a 16-year-old female from Livermore, Calif., with lacerations to her lower left calf, and described the wound as 3- to 5-inch missing “flap” or avulsion. Fire personnel provided medical treatment and dressed the wound. The family declined medical transport, instead driving the female in a personal vehicle to seek treatment.

The girl told DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) that when she was bit she was sitting in nearshore waters with her dad about 2-3 feet deep and did not see anything. Her dad was kneeling in the water next to her and felt something bump his lower back. Shortly thereafter she said something had bit her. The injury appears to have been caused by a small reef shark, species unknown. However, it was not a tiger shark.

Presently, both Maui County Ocean Safety and DLNR are responding according to standard shark incident protocols. Shark warning signs are being posted to close a portion of the beach. DLNR enforcement officers will be warning the public both on land and on jet skis in this area. The beach will be closed at least through sunset this evening. Officials will reassess the situation at that time to determine whether to reopen the beach.

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For more information news media may contact:
Deborah Ward
DLNR Public Information Specialist
Phone: (808) 587-0320

Source: State of Hawaii – Department of Land and Natural Resources

Photo Credit: Kim St.Clair