Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement

HONOLULU —   According to DLNR Enforcement officers on Maui, today a 43-year old Haiku man, identified as Matt Kinoshita,  owner of Kazuma Surfboards, was paddle surfing about 75 yards off Ukumehame in 5 feet of water about 2 p.m.  when he saw an 8′ tiger shark approaching him from the side with its mouth open.  He turned his board toward the shark and ran over its back with the board.  Fortunately he did not fall off his board.  He lost sight of it and it may have swum in the Kihei direction.

He reported the incident to lifeguards and contacted DOCARE. Maui  Ocean Safety sent out a lifeguard on a jetski to monitor the waters, but there was no further sighting.  The DOCARE officer and another lifeguard monitored from shore and warned divers and surfers in the water.   Water conditions were clear with one-foot waves.  The beach was not closed and no warning signs were posted. Following the state shark protocol, monitoring was continued for two hours after the initial sighting.  

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Deborah Ward
Hawaii Dept. of Land and Natural Resources
Information Specialist
(808) 587-0320
fax (808) 587-0390