Department of Land and Natural Resources

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
News Release

NEIL ABERCROMBIE GOVERNOR

WILLIAM J. AILA JR, CHAIRPERSON

For Immediate News Release June 18, 2013

 

KEKAHA KAI STATE PARK CLOSED TODAY DUE TO SHARK INCIDENT

KAILUA-KONA, HAWAII — The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) this afternoon closed Mahaiula and Kua Bay sections of Kekaha Kai State Park due to a shark incident earlier today. The park is located 2.6 miles north of Keahole airport in Kailua-Kona.

At about 12:55 p.m., the victim, a 28-year-old male from Kailua-Kona, was swimming in waters off of Mahaiula Beach when he was bit by a shark.

The Hawaii County Fire Department responded and transported him via medevac helicopter to North Kona Community Hospital for treatment.

The helicopter overflight also revealed what appeared to be a large tiger shark in the vicinity of the location where the victim was attacked.

DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) officers and State Parks staff evacuated Mahaiula Bay, closed access to the bay and posted shark warning signs. Kua Bay is being evacuated as well and access closed.

Closure of these two bays will continue until at least noon Wednesday, following a flyover by Hawaii County Fire Department helicopter to assess offshore waters for any presence of sharks.

 

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For more information, news media may contact:

LEAD INFORMATION/ MEDIA CONTACT:
Hawaii County Fire Department Battalion Chief Gerald Kosaki
Phone: (808) 443-4150

Deborah Ward
DLNR Public Information Specialist
Phone: (808) 587-0320