David Y. Ige

[In addition to what Maui Fire Department already issued about the incident today,   here is additional information that DLNR DOCARE officers obtained from Maui County Ocean Safety. DOCARE is responding to assist to close the affected beach areas for the rest of the day and into tomorrow morning.]

A 59 year old male suffered lacerations to his shoulder just before 4 p.m. today, while on his back on a floatation device in the ocean off the north end of Wailea Beach  (fronting Grand Wailea).  Maui Fire Department and Ocean Safety responded to transport him to Maui Memorial Hospital in non-life threatening condition.

A DOCARE officer measured the bite mark on the raft as approximately 16 inches across.  A DOCARE officer is going to the hospital to speak to the victim and obtain photos of bite marks to determine if they are consistent with shark bite.

Maui County Ocean Safety deployed two jetskis in the ocean to warn ocean users.  Lifeguards assisted by DLNR DOCARE are closing from Chang’s Beach to Keawekapu Beach  (Mana Kai)  until sunset.

Standard protocol of response agencies is to re-evaluate the ocean waters in the morning for any presence of sharks before reopening the beaches.  DOCARE will be responding to the area.

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