Sharks Keep Kekaha Kai State Park Closed
From a press release Wednesday (June 19):
The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will keep Kekaha Kai State Park closed today because of the continued presence of sharks in the area. A Hawaii Fire Department helicopter flyover this morning over the coast sighted eight reef sharks measuring about 5 to 6 feet long in the north section of Mahaiula Bay.听
Following the state shark sighting protocol, another flyover will take place tomorrow at about 8 a.m., and, if no sharks are sighted, the park will reopen.听
Yesterday, the park was closed after a 28-year old male was bit on the leg while swimming at the Mahaiula Bay section. 听听
The park is located 2.6 miles north of Keahole airport in Kailua-Kona.听
The Hawaii County Fire Department responded and transported him via medevac helicopter to North Kona Community Hospital for treatment.听
The helicopter overflight also revealed what appeared to be a large tiger shark in the vicinity of the location where the victim was attacked. …
听Kekaha Kai State Park courtesy听.
鈥擟had Blair
