More Details on Yesterday’s Attack

Turns out yesterday’s attack was the work of a tiger shark, not a sand shark.

According to KHON2.com, ocean safety officials say the man was bitten in the upper right thigh and the lower part of his right ankle.

“The radius of the bite was 25 inches, we’re not sure what kind of shark is was, but the bite marks are consistant with it being a tiger, but we’re not specifically sure what species it was,” said Maui County Ocean Safety Supervisor Officer, Archie Kalepa.

The victim made it to shore on his own where another surfer helped him out of the water. He was taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center where he was treated and released. The shark also bit the man’s surfboard.

“The pattern seems very, very unusual it’s more indicative of something that’s used to feeding on mammals such as a Tiger Shark,” said Andrew Rossiter, director of the Waikiki Aquarium.

A witness said he believed the 6-to-8 foot shark was a sandbar shark, but experts say the aggressive nature of the attack and bite marks appear to be consistent with a tiger shark.

Surfers say the area is notorious for shark sightings.

DLNR personnel and ocean safety officers monitored the shoreline by air, land and sea and posted warning signs alerting beachgoers of the attack.

Officials will assess the area Tuesday morning and decide then if they’ll reopen the beach.