Shark Bites Paddle Board, Aggressively Pursues SUP Group in South Maui Waters

Standup paddle board with shark bite. (2.5.20) PC: Hawai’i DLNR.

The public is being cautioned to stay out of the ocean between Keawakapu Beach and Palauea “White Rock” Beach in the Wailea and Mākena areas of South Maui after a shark bit a standup paddle board on Wednesday morning.  Authorities say at least one shark had been aggressively following a group of stand-up paddle boarders who attempted to fend it off with their paddles.

Ocean Safety units with the Maui Department of Fire and Public Safety were dispatched to the area at 9:44 a.m. after a stand-up paddle boarder called 911 to report a 10-foot tiger shark in the water fronting the Andaz Wailea Resort.

Ocean Safety officers were patrolling the area with jet skis and reported the possible sighting of three tiger sharks of at least ten feet in length. They also reported that at least one shark had been aggressively following a group of stand-up paddle boarders.

“No one has been hurt, though a shark did bite a paddle board,” according to information released by the state DLNR.

Ocean safety officers, along with DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources officers have been cautioning people to stay out of the ocean in the area and are putting up shark warning signs.

Standard protocols call for warnings and signs to continue until at least noon tomorrow, after authorities survey the area to ensure no further shark activity.

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Ocean safety crews are clearing waters in South Maui fronting the Andaz and Keawakapu Beach this morning following reports of an aggressive shark in the area.

Officials say there are two Jet Ski units clearing the waters of ocean goers and have closed a stretch of beach in Wailea.

Crews observed a tiger shark in area waters while clearing the nearshore area of ocean goers at around 10:15 a.m.  Unconfirmed reports indicate that the shark had pursued a standup paddleboarder after crews were called to the scene.

Much of the efforts to clear waters mid-morning were focused in the area from Keawakapu to the area south of Maluaka Beach in Mākena.

***Maui Now is awaiting further details and will update when more information becomes available.