Shark bites tourist off Maui beach

Advertiser Staff

A 7-foot tiger shark bit a California man New Year's Day off a popular Maui snorkeling beach.

The victim was taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center after the attack, which happened about 1 p.m. at Olowalu Beach.

Nick Ichiki, who was in the water at the time of the attack, said the victim received a 4- to 5-inch wound on his upper leg. Ichiki said the victim was snorkeling with a small group of turtles that were clearly visible in the water.

Ichiki said he, too, was snorkeling with his girlfriend about 70 yards offshore. Suddenly, people on the beach began shouting for the couple to come ashore, Ichiki said.

"There were about 500 people on the beach waving their arms at us to come back in and yelling 'shark, shark,'" said Ichiki, a Seattle resident who lives part time on Maui. "The Maui Police Department officers were on their loud speaker yelling at us, and not in a calm manner."

Ichiki and his girlfriend used a surfboard they brought to paddle ashore, where the victim was being treated.

"The shark just kind of bit him and let go," Ichiki said. "He was pretty lucky."