Updated at 2:44 p.m., Monday, October 22, 2007
South Maui beaches reopen after shark sighting
Advertiser Staff
Kamaole Beach Park I, II and III were reopened as of 11:45 a.m. today after a sighting of a 6-foot-long hammerhead shark temporarily closed the South Maui beaches.The shark was swimming south toward Keawakapu Beach this morning and ocean safety officials had also considered closing Keawakapu Beach, Maui lifeguards said.
Russell Sparks, education specialist with the state Department of Land and Natural Resource's Division of Aquatic Resources, said it is possible the shark is having pups.
"This time of year the hammerheads tend to come into the area to give live birth, often along the south shore down to Sugar Beach and also in Kahului Harbor," he said. "Hammerheads are designed to eat fish, so they're not the same threat as other species of sharks, for example tiger sharks, but it's best to back off and give it some space."
Keawakapu Beach was closed at 8:05 a.m. yesterday after a 911 caller reported a shark about 10 to 15 feet offshore. The beach was reopened at 12:30 p.m.
Maui police cleared the beach at Kamaole Beach Park No. I at about 6 p.m. yesterday after a shark was sighted about 10 to 15 feet offshore. Officers who saw the dorsal fin of the shark estimated it was approximately the same size as the hammerhead shark sighted yesterday morning at Keawakapu Beach.
