Updated at 5:53 p.m., Monday, May 7, 2007

Shark bites snorkeler off Kihei; stretch of beach closed

Advertiser Staff

A sign at Kama'ole Beach Park II says the beach is closed because of a shark sighting. Christie Wilson | Honolulu Advertiser

KIHEI, Maui — A snorkeler was bitten on the leg by a shark this morning at Keawakapu Beach in Kihei.

The attack occurred at 8:30 a.m. when a 63-year-old visitor from California was bitten on the right leg. The woman was about 100 feet offshore when the attack occurred.

She was taken by ambulance to Maui Memorial Medical Center.

An hour earlier, a surfer at Kamaole Beach Park II reported that a possible tiger shark bumped his friend's surfboard.

A 4-mile stretch of beach from Kalama Park to the Grand Wailea Resort was closed this morning. County ocean safety and Department of Land and Natural Resources personnel are monitoring the areas, which will remain closed until midday tomorrow, county spokeswoman Mahina Martin said.