Shark alert issued for isles

Attack and flurry of sightings prompt shark warning for isles

STORY SUMMARY »

A day after a shark attacked a surfer on Oahu, the state is warning people across Hawaii to be cautious when entering the ocean because of an apparent increase in sharks swimming in shallow waters.

The alert came after a shark bit the leg of 40-year-old Todd Murashige on Tuesday while he surfed a break off Kaaawa. He was listed in stable condition yesterday at the Queen's Medical Center.

State officials say there seem to be more sharks venturing near the islands, possibly to spawn. There have been at least eight confirmed shark sightings on the Big Island in the past two weeks.

---

FULL STORY »

The state is warning people to be careful when going into the ocean following a series of shark sightings on the Big Island and Kauai and a shark attack on Oahu.

Officials were to decide this morning whether to keep Kahana State Beach Park closed as well as warning signs posted about one mile south along a surf spot off the Crouching Lion Inn in Kaaawa, where a 40-year-old man had his right leg bitten by a shark at about 5 p.m. Tuesday.

Todd Murashige, who suffered massive injuries and was taken in serious condition to the Queen's Medical Center, was listed as stable yesterday afternoon, hospital spokeswoman Nicole Pickens said.

The attack came in the wake of at least eight shark sightings on the Big Island since Aug. 26, according to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. The agency issued a long warning yesterday, urging swimmers, divers and surfers to stay away from water where sharks have been spotted.

"In all other areas, please exercise caution when entering the water," department Director Laura Thielen said in a statement.

The increased shark presence closer to shore could be due to species coming to shallower waters during this time of the year for spawning, according to fishermen and scientists, the state noted.

In the latest sighting, sharks were swimming yesterday between Maumae Beach and Kawaihae Harbor on the Big Island. The island's Hapuna, Waialea and Spencer beach parks have been closed.

"We got a certain concentration of big ocean predators that are drifting through the chain right now," said Dan Polhemus, administrator of the Division of Aquatic Resources.

Data from tagged sharks shows that some swim from the Big Island to Midway Atoll and back, he said.

Officials have not yet determined which kind of shark chomped Murashige's leg, although tiger sharks are Hawaii's most common attacker of humans.

Murashige has competed in the Hawaii Amateur Surfing Association for at least the past five years, said Wendal Aoki, the association's president and contest director.

One of Murashige's friends, Kayne Oku, said he believes Murashige will not lose his leg despite the massive bite.

"I saw the wounds. It was pretty darn big," Oku said yesterday. "He had movement in his toe. His right quad had a very large bite mark."

The attack happened about 300 yards offshore in an area where another surfer escaped with a small gash on the foot after an encounter with a 12-foot-long shark last year.

In the Aug. 28, 2007, incident, 15-year-old Joshua Sumait of Hauula was about 400 yards offshore on his bodyboard when he turned around to see a 12-foot shark take his right foot in its mouth. He kicked to get away and suffered a 4-inch gash on the heel.

Other recent shark attacks in Hawaii included one on July 25 in which a woman snorkeling off Makaha was bitten, another in December, when a surfer was bitten, and a third in October, when a shark bit a swimmer's leg in waters off Kihei on Maui, according to the state.

The last fatal shark attack in Hawaii occurred in April 2004 when 57-year-old surfer Willis McInnis was killed about 200 yards off Kahana in West Maui.

SAFE SWIMMING The state offers these ocean tips in the wake of shark sight-ings on the Big Island and Kauai, and a shark attack on Oahu. » Swim, surf or dive with other people, and don't move too far away from assistance. » Stay out of the water at dawn, dusk and night. » Do not enter the water if you have open wounds or are bleeding in any way. » Avoid murky waters, harbor entrances and areas near stream mouths (especially after heavy rains), channels or steep drop-offs. » Do not wear high-contrast clothing or shiny jewelry. » Refrain from excessive splashing. Keep pets, which swim erratically, out of the water. Sharks are known to be attracted to such activity. » Do not enter the water if sharks are known to be present. Leave the water quickly and calmly if one is sighted. Do not provoke or harass a shark, even a small one. » If fish or turtles start to behave erratically, leave the water. Avoid swimming near dolphins, as they are prey for some large sharks. » Remove speared fish from the water or tow them a safe distance behind you. Do not swim near people fishing or spearfishing. Stay away from dead animals in the water. » Swim or surf at beaches patrolled by lifeguards. Source: State Department of Land and Natural Resources