Woman suffers “serious bite” in apparent shark incident at Pāʻia Bay

A woman was transported to the hospital in critical condition for a “serious bite,” from an apparent shark incident at Pāʻia Bay on Maui’s north shore Saturday afternoon, Sept. 3, officials confirmed.

The incident happened in front of the courts at Pāʻia Beach Park at around 4:10 p.m., according to state and county officials.

Maui police identified the individual as a 51-year-old woman from France. County officials say she had been swimming when people saw that she was in distress and needed help.

Police say the woman had reportedly been seen swimming, possibly snorkeling, in murky water approximately 100 yards from shore before the incident. An initial report from the county indicates the incident could have occurred much closer to shore at about 40 feet out.

Bystanders brought the woman to shore, and firefighters were first responders at the scene. Officers from the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement also responded, warning people to stay out of the water.

The County of Maui has closed three north shore beach parks–Baldwin Beach Park, Lower Pāʻia Beach Park and Kūʻau Bay Beach Park–following the shark incident. The County park closures will continue through Sunday, and are scheduled to reopen at 7 a.m. Monday, Sept. 5.

Meanwhile, personnel from the DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources and Maui Ocean Safety Officers put up shark warning signs one mile on either side of Pāʻia Bay, from Baldwin Beach to Tavares Bay.

Shark warning signs will remain up and people are asked to stay out of the water until a further assessment and all-clear is issued. The state will reassess the area and make a determination after 12 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022.