61-year-old man's leg severed in first reported shark attack on Maui this year

A 61-year-old surfer had his leg severed completely below the knee when he was attacked by a shark in the area of Waiehu Beach Park in Central Maui on Friday, November 1, 2024. Gary Kubota/Maui News

State officials have closed the area of Waiehu Beach Park in Central Maui for at least a day after a 61-year-old man’s leg was severed below the knee in a shark attack Friday morning.

The man was alert and conscious and was able to swim back to shore with the help of other surfers, Maui police said.

The incident happened in an area known as “Sand piles” and was reported to police at 7:11 a.m. on Friday. Officers applied a tourniquet to the injured man’s leg before paramedics and firefighters arrived on the scene, police said.

The man was taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center in critical condition for further treatment.

The incident is the first reported shark attack on Maui this year.

The gate to Waiehu Beach Park is closed and all beachgoers are advised to stay out of the water from Paukūkalo to Waihe’e until further notice.

Money is being raised to support the victim with a GoFundMe.com account at bit.ly/40tzzsg.

“The morning of November 1, Kenji was attacked by a shark just below his knee,” the fundraising page says. “His good friends and regular morning crew have helped him, and he is currently recovering well in the ICU, but we all want to support Kenji as he continues to heal. In true Kenji style, immediately after surgery, he sagely said, “I still love the ocean!” and we want to support him to return to what he loves. … Please consider donating to the happiest and most loving surfer out there to support his healing journey. We love you, Kenji!”

This image was posted to a GoFundMe.com page in hopes of raising money for a Maui man who was attacked by a shark on Friday, November 1, 2024. Thanks to photo

Assistant Fire Chief Jeff Giesea indicated that department protocol calls for warning the public to stay out of the water for a distance of one mile in any direction of the incident. The public warning applies at least until Saturday afternoon. That could be extended if further shark activity is spotted in the area, the fire department said.

In 2024, four incidents of shark attacks were reported statewide — all on Oahu — according to the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

There were two reported shark attacks on Maui each year in 2022 and 2023, with one fatality each year.

On December 30, 2023, 39-year-old Jason Carter of Haiku died from injuries while surfing about 500 feet offshore at Paia Bay. Another shark attack on October 2, 2023 resulted in no injuries as the shark bit the tail of a surfboard 50 meters offshore off Welakahao Road in Kihei.

On December 8, 2022, Kristine Allen of Washington state was snorkeling when a shark attacked her 50 yards offshore of Keawakapu Beach in Kihei. Her body was never found.

On September 3, 2022, a snorkeler was attacked 20 meters from shore in 3 to 4.5 meters of water, resulting in the loss of the individual’s left arm below the shoulder, as well as other injuries.

Maui resident Chris Casio said the Sand Piles surf area is close to the Waiehu and Iao currents and the area can attract sharks, especially when it rains.

‘If the water gets there, it’s bad’ he said.

Maui resident Richard Casio said sharks are attracted to estuaries in Iao and Waiehu, especially after rain. A shark attacked a surfer on Friday, November 1, 2024.