Large Tiger Shark Closes Iconic Kauai Beach Twice In One Week

Shark sightings at Hanalei Bay do not happen often. But today’s sighting marks the second time since October 15, that a tiger shark has been spotted there. In the prior incident, a surfer fell victim to a sizable shark bite and almost lost his leg.

Today again, a tiger shark closed Hanalei Bay Kauai.

Kauai County lifeguards have once again posted shark warning signs at Hanalei Bay after yet another large tiger shark was seen this afternoon at the very same spot as last week’s attack. The area is called The Bowl, which is popular with surfers and is 200 yards from the Hanalei Pier.

Everyone is advised to avoid swimming, surfing, and other ocean activities at Hanalei Bay until an all-clear is given. Unlike last week’s attack, there were no injuries reported today.

When lifeguards check again on Tuesday, barring any further sightings, the Hanalei Bay area will once again reopen to beach activities starting Tuesday afternoon.

Last week’s shark attack and victim.

Details have become available since we last wrote. The victim was 50-year-old Kevin Kanehe from Kilauea. Had the shark completed the bite, he would have lost his leg. Instead, Kevin stuck his finger up the nostril of the 12-15 foot tiger shark, and it let go. That quick thinking saved his leg. Kevin has undergone surgery on his leg and hand, which will take a year to recover from. A GoFundMe account has been started to help Kevin and his family.

According to his GoFundMe page, Kevin was “paddling for a wave, sat up on his board to turn around, and got hit hard from the left side” by the shark. Beat of Hawaii friend, Dr. David Ravinsky, performed the leg surgery. There was some muscle tissue lost in his leg and some fingers were sliced open and tendons cut.

Shark incidents in Hawaii are a rare occurrence.

On average, the state records between three and four shark bites annually, a minuscule figure when contrasted with the ten million visitors who grace Hawaii’s shores each year. Moreover, incidents of severe shark bites are even rarer.

While it is true that any beach in Hawaii can potentially harbor sharks, some locations experience significantly fewer shark-related problems than others. To gain insight into shark incidents at beaches throughout Hawaii, you can consult the Hawaii Shark Incidents List provided by the state’s Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Among the beaches with fewer reported issues are Waikiki Beach, Poipu Beach in Kauai, Napili Bay and Kapalua Bay in Maui, and Hapuna Beach on the Big Island. However, it’s important to acknowledge that prior shark sightings have been documented at almost every beach.

As we mentioned, over the past two centuries, there have been only 184 shark attacks in Hawaii, as documented by the International Shark Attack File, which serves as the foremost comprehensive source of shark attack information, including data from Hawaii. The majority of shark attacks in Hawaii have been attributed to tiger sharks, a species considered one of the three most dangerous shark types worldwide.

It’s worth highlighting that the likelihood of being bitten by a shark stands at less than one in a million, with the odds of experiencing a severe injury even lower.

For safe beach outings, here are some useful shark safety tips to always keep in mind:

• Always swim with others when a lifeguard is present.
• Avoid venturing far from the shoreline.
• Exercise caution when swimming near river mouths, which can attract sharks.
• Be aware that sharks tend to be most active during dawn and dusk.
• Avoid wearing bright jewelry and clothing.
• Heed and respect shark warning signs, as disregarding them can lead to dangerous situations