Department of Land and Natural Resources

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
News Release

DAVID Y. IGE GOVERNOR

SUZANNE D. CASE CHAIRPERSON

For Immediate News Release March 31, 2016

SHARK WARNING SIGNS POSTED TODAY AT OLOWALU SHORELINE, MAUI 

HONOLULU –  The Department of Land and Natural Resources has posted shark warning signs this afternoon on the west Maui coastline from Lone Pine (milepost 13 on Honoapi‘ilani Highway)  to the Olowalu Recycling Center, following a report received just before 2 p.m. today that 46-year old female visitor was bitten on the fin by a shark. The woman was snorkeling in the late morning with a tour group a half-mile off Olowalu.   She was in 18 feet of murky water when she felt a tug on her fin, and looked back to see a gray-colored shark swimming away. She was treated on the boat for a minor injury to her foot.

According to an on-board employee of the Teralani 2 tour company an eight-foot tiger shark was seen swimming away.

Following the state’s shark warning protocols, officials with DLNR’s Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) and Division of Aquatic Resources posted shark warning signs, which will remain up until noon tomorrow when the situation will be re-assessed.  DOCARE and Ocean safety were warning ocean users on a jetski, and beachgoers while patrolling the shore.  

Olowalu is the only place in the state which has permanent shark warning signs posted. For safety tips and other shark information go to hawaiisharks.org

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Media Contact:

Deborah Ward
DLNR Communications specialist
Phone: (808) 587-0320