Department of Land and Natural Resources

(Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i) – A woman, reported to be in her 70’s, was taken to the hospital this morning after what appears to be a shark bite incident. 

The DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE), in conjunction with Hawai‘i County authorities have placed shark warning signs, one-mile, on either side of Anaeho‘omalu Bay on the Kohala Coast at Waikōloa, after the woman was injured around 8 this morning. 

The captain of an ocean sports vessel reported the incident, after hearing calls for help coming from near a channel marker, an estimated 600-feet offshore. A tender from the Spirit of Aloha tour vessel was used to take the woman to shore, where she was transported to North Hawai‘i Community Hospital in Waimea. DLNR does not release names or medical conditions of victims. 

A Hawai‘i Fire Department (HFD) helicopter flew over the area and its crew did not spot any shark activity. In keeping with standard protocols, shark warning signs will remain in place until noon on Sunday, after HFD does another surveillance flight. 

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Media Contact: 

Dan Dennison 
Senior Communications Manager 
(808) 587-0396 
[email protected]