A 61-year-old surfer had his leg completely severed after being bitten by a shark near Waiehu Beach Park on Maui, Hawaii, early on Friday morning, November 1. The surfer was at a popular surf spot known as Sand Piles when the attack occurred around 7:05 a.m. According to authorities, the victim was sitting on his board when the shark rushed up from beneath him, biting his leg below the knee.
Eyewitness David Basques recounted the frightening scene, stating, "I heard this yell and I looked, and all of a sudden, I just seen him splash. I don’t know what was happening." Basques noted how brave the surfer was, swimming for more than half the distance back to shore before others jumped in to assist him. Good Samaritans quickly rushed to the injured man's aid as he fought to reach land.
Rescue teams arrived shortly after and provided immediate care. Maui Police and Fire officials reported the surfer was conscious and alert during treatment. They applied two tourniquets to his leg to help stop the bleeding before transporting him to Maui Memorial Medical Center, where he was admitted in serious condition, but still facing life-threatening injuries.
Assistant Chief Jeff Giesea of the Maui Fire Department praised the man’s resilience and the quick actions of both the victim and the rescue personnel. “I would like to commend the patient for his strength and wherewithal getting himself to shore,” he stated. “That’s extraordinary.”
Following the shark attack, officials closed Waiehu Beach Park and urged the public to avoid the waters from Paukūkalo to Waihe‘e until at least noon the following day, dependent on any potential future shark sightings. Authorities have taken precautions by patrolling the waters and deploying drones to monitor for any shark activity.
While the type of shark involved was not specified, it is known from recent reports and historical data from the Florida Museum of Natural History's International Shark Attack File, published this year, noted surfers and board sports enthusiasts accounted for 42% of all unprovoked shark attacks globally last year. This incident adds to the troubling trend, as Hawaii has documented at least 75 unprovoked shark attacks since 1828.
Officials have not detailed how many attacks Hawaii saw last year, but it is known there was one fatality. This attack on the man, who was later identified via social media as Kenji, has echoed concerns within the surfing community, particularly following the recent death of well-known surfer Tamayo Perry, who was killed by a shark this past June.
Kenneth Weaver, Kenji’s friend, described him as passionate about the ocean and stated, “He was stoked to be out there on the waves.” Kenji’s GoFundMe page revealed he was recovering well post-surgery and even expressed his enduring love for the ocean right after his surgery, declaring, “I still love the ocean!”
The shark attack has reignited discussions about safety measures and protocols for surfers and ocean-goers, with officials monitoring waters more rigorously amid heightened tensions from such incidents.
Waiehu Beach was temporarily closed, and warnings will remain until officials see no more signs of shark activity. Maui County officials previously installed shark warning signs, urging beachgoers to exercise caution, as not only these last few attacks but also general ecological concerns play significant roles within these beach communities.
Hawaii features some of the most famous surfing spots worldwide with its stunning waves, drawing surfers from near and far. But these incidents serve as sobering reminders of the need to respect marine life and maintain awareness of the ocean's unpredictable nature.
Many locals and tourists alike expressed their support for Kenji, leaving messages on his GoFundMe campaign expressing prayers for his recovery. Meanwhile, ocean safety continues to be the top priority on the island as authorities aim to balance enjoyment of the waves with ensuring safety from its natural inhabitants.