UPDATE: Wednesday at 1:28 p.m.
The Department of Land and Natural Resources says it will keep Kekaha Kai State Park closed today because of the continued presence of sharks in the area.
From the DLNR:
| A Hawaii Fire Department helicopter flyover this morning over the coast sighted eight reef sharks measuring about 5 to 6 feet long in the north section of Mahaiula Bay.
Following the state shark sighting protocol, another flyover will take place tomorrow at about 8 a.m., and, if no sharks are sighted, the park will reopen. Yesterday, the park was closed after a 28-year old male was bit on the leg while swimming at the Mahaiula bay section. The park is located 2.6 miles north of Keahole airport in Kailua-Kona. |
A sign posted warning of sharks after an attack closed Kekaha Kai State Park in Kona (courtesy DLNR)
The Department of Land and Natural Resources says the victim was swimming in waters off of Mahaiula Beach when he was bit by a shark just before 1 p.m.
The Hawaii County Fire Department responded and transported him via medevac helicopter to Kona Community Hospital for treatment.
The helicopter overflight also revealed what appeared to be a large tiger shark in the water below, near the spot where the man was attacked.
Hawaii News Now obtained photos of the victim, and an interview with an eye witness to the attack.
Hawaii County Police described the incident in a media release:
| A 28-year-old Kailua-Kona man was swimming about 100 feet off shore shortly before 1 p.m. when he spotted a shark in waters off Kekaha Kai State Park, also known as Kona Coast State Park. As the man was swimming to shore, the shark bit him on the right thigh and right calf and then released him. The swimmer made it to shore, where a Fire Department helicopter took him to Kona Community Hospital with injuries that were not believed to be life threatening. |
Mahaiula Bay was evacuated, and DLNR officials closed access to the bay and posted shark warning signs. Kua Bay was also closed.
The two bays will stay closed until at least noon Wednesday, following a flyover by Hawaii County Fire Department helicopter to assess offshore waters for any presence of sharks.
This marks the 4th high profile shark attack along the Kona coast in three years.
Earlier this year, a surfer was attacked in Kiholo Bay. Paul Santos survived his encounter with the estimated 15 to 16 foot tiger shark.
And earlier, in May of 2011: two seperate attacks in a span of just a few days at Holualoa Bay. There were no injuires, but the sharks left their mark.
The women who experienced the close calls shared their stories.
by Big Island Video News
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STORY SUMMARY
UPDATE: Wednesday at 1:28 p.m. The Department of Land and Natural Resources says it will keep Kekaha Kai State Park closed today because of the continued presence of sharks in the area. From the DLNR: A Hawaii Fire Department helicopter flyover this morning over the coast sighted eight reef sharks measuring about 5 to 6 […]