Beach at Kaʻa Re-Opened Following Shark Bite

Kaʻa Point, file photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

Crews from the Department of Land and Natural Resources on Maui reopened Kaʻa Beach at noon today, following a shark attack on Thursday afternoon at the location.

The incident sent a kitesurfer to the hospital in stable condition with lacerations to his right calf and heel area.

Since the incident, officials with the DLNR Aquatic Resources division say a 12-14 foot tiger shark was spotted by lifeguards patrolling the area on Thursday afternoon; and a separate spotting of a “large shark” was reported by DLNR at around 7:50 a.m. today (Friday, Nov. 1), but it subsequently left the area.

There were no further sightings since then, so beaches were re-opened at noon today in the previously closed area from Pier 1 in Kahului to Stable Road.

The shark response efforts included participation from DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources staff, Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement officers, Maui County lifeguards, and the Maui Fire Department’s helicopter. Crews from Ocean Safety and DOCARE patrolled the area on jetski as part of the response to monitor and assess the coastal waters.