Calif. woman is injured in apparent ‘shark incident’

A 35-year-old California woman was apparenlty bit by a shark Thursday afternoon while swimming about 100 yards offshore of Mahina Surf condominiums in West Maui, officials said Thursday evening.

In the incident around 2:50 p.m., the woman suffered severe trauma injuries to her front torso, said Fire Services Chief Rylan Yatsushiro. The woman was alert and oriented when fire crews arrived, he said.

The victim was brought to shore by surfers and already on the beach when fire crews arrived, Yatsushiro added.

Engine 11 from Napili assited paramedics with carrying the victim to the ambulance and she was transported to Maui Memorial Medical Center. Her condition was not known as of Thursday evening.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resrouces said the woman’s companion, who was nearby saw a fin in the water, reported the woman was bit by a shark.

After the incident, shark warning signs were put up on both ends of Honokowai Beach Park, the DLNR said.

Officers from the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement put the signs up north from Kahana Village vacation rentals and south to Papakea Resort, just north of Kahekili Beach Park.

Yatsushiro said Ocean Safety officers also assisted in making patrols in the area and advised beachgoers to stay out of the water. Patrols will resume this morning.

Conservation and Resources Enforcement officers and personnel from the DLNR Division of Aquatics Resources will also conduct a further inquiry into the details of the incident.

Standard protocol is for warning signs to remain up until noon the day following an incident and after the waters have been patrolled by county and or state officials to detect any further shark presence, the DLNR said.