HAENA — Lifeguards spotted two 10-foot-long gray sharks around 9 a.m. yesterday in Haena Beach Park on the North Shore.
Officials closed the beach due to the shark sightings.
Despite the closing and the lifeguards’ warning to swimmers and surfers, several who were there stayed in the water, said Mary Daubert, county spokeswoman.
Gray sharks have been known to eat fish, other sharks and humans.
Normal feeding habits were the likely reason the sharks were there, said Daubert.
Lifeguards’ advice should be heeded at all times, officials at the Department of Land and Natural Resources said.
“Lifeguards can’t physically tell people to get out of the water,” Daubert said. “They can only tell people there are sharks.”
The last time a shark sighting in Haena happened was when a tiger shark was spotted in June, Daubert said.
The last reported shark-related fatality on Kaua‘i happened in Haena May 21, 1981, when Roger Garletts disappeared while scuba diving in the area. His dive gear and shredded wetsuit were recovered.
The last reported shark-related fatality in Hawai‘i was on Maui on April 7, 2004.
The area where the Kaua‘i sighting occurred Sunday was the same area where Bethany Hamilton lost her arm while surfing on Halloween morning 2003.
When sharks are spotted, Daubert said, the safest choice is to get out of the water. Though it can ruin your plans for that beach that day, there are always other places to go, she said.
If you spot a shark and there are no lifeguards to notify, call the police at 241-1711.
• Amanda C. Gregg, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or agregg@kauaipubco.com
