Three South Maui beaches were closed for nearly four hours yesterday after a 6- to 8-foot hammerhead shark was spotted near shore.

The shark was first reported at 7 a.m. at the south end of Kama'ole Beach Park II. A county ocean safety officer confirmed the sighting, and the three Kama'ole beaches were closed at 8 a.m. The sites were reopened at 11:45 a.m.

Russell Sparks of the state Division of Aquatic Resources said hammerheads tend to come close to shore at this time of year to give birth. They are not considered as threatening to humans as other shark species. A similar shark sighting Sunday closed Keawakapu Beach for several hours.