Posted on: Saturday, August 25, 2001

Large shark sighted off Wai'anae Coast

By Mike Gordon
Advertiser Staff Writer

A large predatory shark feeding along the Leeward Coast, possibly a Great White, has state and county water-safety experts concerned about swimmer safety.

But there is equal fear that advising people to stay out of the water along Makua and Keawa'ula beaches will create a panic.

Two observed shark attacks on dolphins, including one Tuesday, prompted the state Department of Land and Natural Resources Thursday to urge caution in waters off the Wai'anae coast. Large tiger sharks, the same type responsible for most bites and fatalities locally in recent years, have ocassionally been seen shadowing pods of spinner dolphins.

In June, a free diver spearing fish off the same stretch of coastline spotted a great white shark, and his account of the encounter and description of the 15-foot shark was deemed credible by state and federal biologists.

With two attacks, it was prudent to remind people of behaviors that could increase their risk to injury, said Randy Honebrink, a spokesman for the State Shark Task Force.

Concern is high because tour groups frequently take swimmers into the waters near Makua and Keawa'ula to swim with dolphins, said Jim Howe, operations chief for the city lifeguards.

"We have a situation, all of us in safety management of the ocean, with something that is a little bit out of the norm, frankly," Howe said. "In that area right now, it would be advisable not to go in the water."

The area is popular among fishermen, divers, surfers and beachgoers, and Howe said he fears the public will panic. Nevertheless city lifeguards who work the beaches in the area have been told to be extra vigilant.

"We know there is some kind of predatory behavior taking place," he said. "It is eating off the spinner dolphins. It is in feeding mode."

The attacks could be attributed to both tiger and great white sharks, he said.

The first dolphin attack occurred Aug. 5 about a half-mile off Makua Beach, not far from one of the 33-foot-long inflatables run by Makaha Coastal Dolphin Cruises, said company manager Chuck Harvey.

Harvey saw a lone dolphin going in one direction and a pod of 100 dolphins moving in the opposite direction — and fast, too. As the inflatable approached the lone mammal, unaware of trouble, the dolphin dived amid a boil of blood and bubbles.

Boat captain Keith Lum, who was driving the inflatable during the dolphin attack, believes a great white could be responsible, even though he didn't see one.

Tiger sharks are always around, but he has never heard of one eating a healthy dolphin.

"And now you have this sighting of a great white shark, so you have to wonder," he said.

Although marine biologists say great whites are rare in Hawaiian waters, Lum doesn't agree. As recently as two weeks ago, he was told by friends that they had seen one they didn't report.

"These guys are commercial fishermen," he said. "They know what they see. About a year ago, I saw one off Kane'ohe, about 20 miles out. It was 18 to 20 feet long."

Wai'anae fisherman William Aila Jr. said he, too, believes that great white sharks frequent the coastline. Two other fishermen have seen them this year, and he considers both men to be credible sources.

But other large sharks are common. In recent weeks, three large, but non-threatening tiger sharks also have been spotted, he said. All three were seen near Makua and Keawa'ula, he said.

Aila said he worries about people who think dolphins will protect them if a shark approaches. He calls this "the Flipper syndrome."

"They will swim away as fast as they can and leave people unprotected and vulnerable," Aila said. "The minute you enter the water, you are part of the food chain. Everybody needs to understand that."

Others who frequent the Leeward Coast waters say the risks should not be overblown.

Tori Cullins, a marine biologist who owns and operates Wild Side Specialty Tours, leads snorkelers on Leeward Coast dolphin visits almost every day. Cullins said she is always concerned about sharks, but the dolphin attacks have not prompted her to cancel any tours.

She was out yesterday.

"We had a wonderful swim," she said.

She recently consulted a shark expert and was told there was no greater chance of being attacked now than there was before the dolphins were killed.

"It is in the back of our minds," she said. "I've been in the water almost daily for 13 years, and I have seen five sharks and never felt threatened."