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 19, 2013

KEKAHA KAI STATE PARK TO REMAIN CLOSED TODAY

KAILUA-KONA, HAWAII — The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will keep Kekaha Kai State Park closed today because of the continued presence of sharks in the area. A Hawaii Fire Department helicopter flyover this morning over the coast sighted eight reef sharks measuring about 5 to 6 feet long in the north section of Mahaiula Bay.

Following the state shark sighting protocol, another flyover will take place tomorrow at about 8 a.m., and, if no sharks are sighted, the park will reopen.

Yesterday, the park was closed after a 28-year old male was bit on the leg while swimming at the Mahaiula bay section.

The park is located 2.6 miles north of Keahole airport in Kailua-Kona.

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 and closed Mahaiula Bay and Kua Bay sections of the park for public safety.

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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