Yesterday’s shark attack on Maui brought the Women’s Pro Surfing Contest to a halt on its second day at Honolua Bay. The 56-year-old victim needed surgery and is from Lahaina. We wish him a complete recovery. Whenever a sighting or attack happens, the area is closed for 24 hours. The competition is expected to resume later today. Near the end of this post is a video filmed at the time of the encounter.
Honolua Bay Has One of the Best Surf Breaks on Maui.
In winter this is the place to go if you like to surf. The bay is located north of Kapalua on West Maui. It is part of the Marine Life Conservation District which means, “no fishing.” That also means the bay is teeming with fish. The boat ramp is the easiest place to enter the bay from the rocky shoreline. Honolua means “two harbors” and the area has significant cultural and historical value in Hawaii.
This is the third shark attack on Maui since September. The two earlier encounters involved swimmers.
On November 26, there was a shark attack also on West Maui at Honkowai. A woman from California was swimming 100 yards offshore when she was bit. Then on September 21, a 61-year-old swimmer at Charlie Young Beach in Kihei was attacked 120 yards offshore. She felt a bite but did not see a shark.
Your Beat of Hawaii editors are regular distance swimmers. Especially at Hanalei during summer. We have been fortunate never to have encountered a shark in the water, while we have seen them from the shoreline. Although one time Rob felt something grab his foot and thought it was a shark. It turned out to be another swimmer who got too close. He really freaked out at first, however, although he reported staying calm.
What you need to know about sharks in Hawaii.
Should you fear shark attacks here in Hawaii? It’s unlikely you will experience a shark attack on your Hawaii vacation, and in fact, the statistical odds are 1 in 11.5 million. And, while rare at Hawaii Beaches, it’s good to remember that shark sightings can occur anywhere in Hawaii.
How to follow Hawaii tiger shark tagging.
At UH Manoa, marine biologists track the movement of Hawaii tiger sharks that are fitted with satellite tags on their dorsal fins. Signals are received each time a shark surfaces. Marine biologists have been working on this for the past four years. They seek insights into the behavior and habitat of these revered creatures. Scientists are utilizing the latest in satellite tagging systems.
On their website, you can see various sightings of sharks in the Hawaiian Islands.
Sharks’ important role in healthy marine environments.
Sharks are known as apex predators. They play a key role in maintaining the species below them in the food chain and serve as an indicator of ocean health. Sharks help remove the weak and sick as well as keeping a balance with competitors to help ensure diversity of species.
One-third of all shark species are threatened or near-threatened.
Sharks figure prominently in Hawaiian mythology.
Culturally, sharks have been held in high reverence by generations of Hawaiians as aumakua (family guardians); ancestors reincarnated as animals and sent to protect the family.
Photo credit: UH Manoa.
Updated December 9, 2020.
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Julie H says
Earlier this year, before the apocalypse, I was tending a resting seal on Poipu Beach right at the point. I was securing a sign right by the water and looked out to see a large, upright stick moving straight toward me in the water… how odd. Too thin for a snorkel and moving too fast. Then it turned sideways and I saw it was actually a fin which then moved west to east past the point while another lady and I stood and watched the 5 foot shark move past the point about 12 feet out. Both of our mouths were hanging open- the water was FULL of swimmers and snorkelers! I ran to the LG station and reported it- well, they said it must have been a ray- really!? They totally dismissed my sighting and when I got back to the other lady, she said a second one had moved through. LGs never did a thing and, happily, no one got hurt. No idea what kind of shark but way too close for comfort. I instinctually moved back even though I was on the beach. I have spent hundreds of hours at that beach over 15 years and that is my first sighting. Amazing that no one in the water saw the shark.
I was not at Poipu the next day but heard that they had to close the beach due to shark sightings. Hey guys! Maybe that crazy old haole lady was not so crazy after all!
Julie says
Thank you for all the information you give
I think humans forgot the beaches where closed off and on for month’s.hardly any tourist no hundreds of people swimming in these oceans and coves so the sharks and the fish got used to no human activity.now that were back we are a threat. Just be careful be watchful and respect the ocean and the life that lives in it.after all its there home.
Mahalo
Momi says
it has just been confirmed by Maui News Now that the shark bite victim has passed away. Condolences to his ohana.
Eric says
Praying for him. No real point of the video though.
Linda B says
It used to be rare for a shark attack on Maui but it seems to be getting more often. Am I wrong in this thinking?
Eddie L. says
I, my wife, my five kids, have all swam, surfed, fished, dived, in waters off three major islands. Couning all of family, about 50 or more, not One has ever even Seen a shark. So that number quoted about the odds are correct.
PAM says
EDDiE L
If you have never seen a shark while in the islands, it doesn’t mean the sharks don’t see you.
Since moving to Honokowai, 36 years ago, our family has seen, literally, thousands.
Most are blacktip reef sharks and whitetip reef sharks. We’ve been SCUBA diving and free diving amongst Hammerheads, and an occasional tiger shark. The beautiful thing about sharks is that we’re swimming in their home, and after an “encounter” with a shark, it’s best to be respectful.
We’re all guests on this big blue planet.
Aloha.
Beat Of Hawaii, y’all rock!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Pam.
Thanks. You too!! We’ve definitely both seen our share of them here too. Never anything dangerous, but as you say, we do enter their home.
Aloha.
PlumHunter says
What’s the point of the video? Waves, drones, trucks and boats? Or to show no evidence of a shark?
Pamela M. says
I was living on Maui when a shark attacked the wife of the sugar mill manager, in November 1991.
My husband and I had gone early to take our morning swim and heard someone screaming.
The next few days, everyone hunted down and exterminated every shark they could find.
We’d scuba dived nearly every day in the channel between Maui and Lanai.
Moral of the story?
We humans are swimming in the home of all sea creatures. Respect should be paid to the sea for it’s beauty and danger.
Mahalo for your time and be safe.
Jan says
I was there too! The police picked up her two kids at the high school that morning – all the other kids thought it was maybe a car accident. So shocking as there hadn’t been a shark attack in many years. We were vacationing last year when the call came in at canoe beach for the attack in front of the Kaanapali Shores. Now it seems it is much more common.
Pamela M. says
I was living on Maui when a shark attacked the wife of the sugar mill, in November 1991.
My husband and I had gone early to take our morning swim and heard someone screaming.
The next few days, everyone hunted down and exterminated every shark they could find.
We’d scuba dived nearly every day in the channel between Maui and Lanai.
Moral of the story?
We humans are swimming in the home of all sea creatures. Respect should be paid to the sea for it’s beauty and danger.
Mahalo for your time and be safe.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Pamela.
Thanks.
Aloha.
Sheryl B. says
For those of us who spend our time on the islands in a condo or a resort with a pool, this is precisely why if the governor and mayors don’t open the pools we will be taking our vacation dollars elsewhere. I believe in the latest announcement about beginning to open things up, a comment was made basically saying, “Why does anyone need a pool? We have a beautiful ocean to swim in.“.
Judy M. says
Very interesting article. Thank you for the information.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Judy.
Thanks.
Aloha.
robert h. says
I’m thinking that with no one able to come to Kauai in a reasonable fashion, shark attacks should not be a concern. BTW, we own on Kauai and have been coming 2-3 times a year since 1982 for as long as 6 weeks at a time. Given recent conditions and the number of vagrants and beggars and general negative tone of Kauai politicians, it will probably be a while before we return. You’ll note that we have received your messages for many years and truly appreciate the information contained. In light of current environment, I just couldn’t help but comment. Thank you for being there and keeping us informed. Bob
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Robert.
Thanks. We appreciate your being a regular!
Aloha.
Julie D. says
Aloha…I was hoping this email titled “Incidents on Big Island” might include SOME info on Mauna Kea. I’m going home to Kona next week…and excited to spend sometime up on the Mauna! But how are tourists feeling about this? Locals? What can we do off island to help? Once on island to help? Have I missed an article? Mahalo plenty!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Julie.
The title of the piece is “Sharks in Hawaii: Kauai and Big Island Incidents.” and that is what it is about.
Aloha.
Hal G says
Thanks so much for all the Great information you folks put out.
We are planning on doing the Great Aloha Run in Feb 2020. Any information you can give about best time to jump on airfares will be greatly appreciated. We will be traveling from Charlotte NC to Honolulu.
Mahalo and Aloha
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Hal.
Thanks. Looks like you’ll need to pay just over $800 RT on that route in February. No deals that we can foresee. You can buy now (especially for weekend dates) or wait a few months and hope something better materializes.
Aloha.
Pde says
2020 ?
Bob L says
Be sure to bring your time travel shoes if you are attending the Feb 2020 run. You are going to need them….. 🙂
Iroquois says
Bob L,
Check the date of the comment. =o)
Aloha.
Maribeth says
Thanks for the update. Can you also provide a link to the UH Manoa tracking page?
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Maribeth.
The UH Manoa link does go to the shark tracking page.
Aloha.
connie w. says
Who would have thought, two of my most favorite spots: Polehale Beach and Kealakekua Bay!
This blows me away. We are not safe anywhere, even in paradise.
Chris says
I agree with Grant…Good content and SAFETY info with-out over-selling the reader.
I also have been waiting for Southwest to provide competition to Hawaiian Airlines. I also appreciate the shark warnings as an avid snorkeler. You have a nice website that educates me and helps make decisions on travel arrangements to the islands
Mahalo,
Chris in Arizona
Beat of Hawaii says
Thanks very much Chris!
Aloha.
Bob W says
We were at Tunnels yesterday morning about 10:30 and they were closing the beach because of a shark sighting. Keep up the great work.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Bob.
Thank you!
Aloha.
Christy T says
What type of sharks were they? Besides the attack that happened 30’ off shore, how far off shore were the others?
Grant B. says
Mahalo! Just want to say I love your emails! You give facts and history that not only inform about the subject but also honor The Hawaiian way.
Keep up the excellent work!
Aloha
Beat of Hawaii says
Thanks very much Grant!!
Aloha.
Dan F. says
Aloha,
I love the issue on Tagging Sharks, and where to find more data.
Mahalo, Dan F.