Sale on canvas prints! Use code ABCXYZ at checkout for a special discount!

Shark Attacks on Maui

Blogs: #33 of 79

Previous Next View All

Aloha everyone . . . it is Humpback Whale season in the Hawaiian Islands and for most everyone who lives on Maui and throughout the Hawaiian Islands we know this is not a good time to go swimming in the ocean or for underwater photography or snorkeling . . the whales are mating and calving . . the magnificent and very beautiful central North Pacific population of Humpback Whales migrate between Alaska where they feed during summer and return each year to the Hawaiian Islands to calve and breed . . They are here and we will be having increased sightings in the coming weeks . .

"The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, which is jointly managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the State of Hawai`i, lies within the shallow warm waters surrounding the main Hawaiian Islands and constitutes one of the world's most important humpback whale habitats. " read more on http://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov/

Humpback Whale - Megaptera novaeangliae, means "great wings of New England" and the Hawaiian name for them is Koholā
Indigenous (migratory). Status: Endangered Species

It is a well known fact that sharks are more present at this time of the year and in the past couple of days there have been several attacks on Maui . . it is heartbreaking to learn of those who have have injured and/or died

Maui County police identified a kayak fisherman killed in a shark attack Monday morning
"he was fishing with artificial lures to attract baitfish when his dangling right foot was bitten by a shark, according to a Department of Land and Natural Resources news release . . . This is the eighth shark attack off Maui this year. On Friday, a Paia woman was bitten while snorkeling in South Maui.
The woman was snorkeling about 30 yards offshore when she was bitten by the shark, leaving her with a cut on her shin and a 6-inch-long wound on her calf. The attack at Keawakapu Beach was about three miles north of White Rock, where 20-year-old visitor Jana Lutterrop was bitten by a shark Aug. 14. She lost her right arm in the attack and died a week later of her injuries." "Warning signs were posted to advise the public to remain out of the water from Ahihi Bay to Mākena Landing."

http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/breaking/234128381.html


03 December 2013
Chris Sugidono states: - a visiting kayaker from Washington state died Monday morning after part of his right leg was bitten off by a shark about a half-mile off Little Beach in Mākena state and county officials said.
http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/12/02/21725887-kayak-fisherman-dies-after-shark-attack-off-maui-coast
http://www.mikesevernsdiving.com/maui-whale-season.html
http://mauinow.com/tag/shark-attack-maui/


quote: "Question: What is the likelihood of being attacked by a shark in the waters of Hawaii?
Answer: Very unlikely. In 2012, 7.99 million visitors came to the islands and there were just ten shark attacks in Hawaii (the highest since 2002). In 2008 there were only two attacks and just three attacks each year in 2009, 2010 and 2011. So far in 2013, there have been twelve attacks with eight off of Maui. Unfortunately, the victim an August 2013 attack off of Maui died in the days following the attack, as did the victim of December 2013. Prior to those attacks, the last fatal shark attack in Hawaii occurred in April 2004.

Answer: There are several possible explanations. First, there are forty species of sharks found in the waters of Hawaii. This is their natural environment. Of these eight are commonly seen near shore, including the Sandbar, Reef Whitetip. Scalloped Hammerhead and Tiger Shark. The waters of Hawaii are home to many of the prey of various shark species, such as monk seals, sea turtles and baby humpback whales. Humans are not a natural prey of sharks. It is likely that when an attack occurs, the human is mistaken for another prey. Sharks are also attracted to waters frequented by fishing boats, which often trail fish remains and blood.
(source - Hawaiian Lifeguard Association)

Question: What can one do to reduce the risk of being attacked by a shark?
Answer: By learning more about sharks, and using a little common sense, the risk of injury can be greatly reduced. The State of Hawaii Shark Task Force recommends the following measures to reduce the risk of being bitten by a shark:

Don't swim alone.
Swim in guarded areas.
Avoid swimming at dusk.
Don't swim with bleeding wounds.
Avoid murky water.
Don't wear bright jewelry or high contrasting colours.
Refrain from excessive splashing.
Don't swim if sharks are known to be present.
Be alert if turtles and fish are fleeing the area.
Remove speared fish from the water.
(source - State of Hawaii Shark Task Force)" source: http://gohawaii.about.com/od/mauiocean/a/shark_attacks.htm


. . . . also if you would like to learn and understand the cultural significance of sharks with Hawaiians read this wonderful article - The ‘Aumakua - Hawaiian Ancestral Spirits by Herb Kawainui Käne http://www.hawaiisharks.com/pdf/APaperbyHerbKane.pdf

"Of the 11 known species of hammerhead, three can be dangerous to humans: the scalloped, great, and smooth hammerheads.
For Hawaiians sharks are considered to be gods of the sea, also known as aumakua, protectors of humans, and cleaners of excessive ocean life. Some of these sharks are believed to be family members who died and have been reincarnated into shark form. However, there are sharks that are considered man-eaters, also known as niuhi. These sharks include great white sharks, tiger sharks, and bull sharks. The hammerhead shark, also known as mano kihikihi, is not considered a man-eater or niuhi; it is considered to be one of the most respected sharks of the ocean, an aumakua. Many Hawaiian families believe that they have an aumakua watching over them and protecting them from the niuhi. The hammerhead shark is thought to be the birth animal of some children. Hawaiian children who are born with the hammerhead shark as an animal sign are believed to be warriors and are meant to sail the oceans. It is extremely rare for hammerhead sharks to pass through the waters of Maui, but many Maui natives believe that when the hammerhead sharks pass by, it is a sign that the gods are watching over the families, and the oceans are clean and balanced.. " http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hammerhead_shark

Sharks
Hawaiian Name: Manō
Indigenous
http://www.hawaiianencyclopedia.com/sharks.asp



. . with deepest condolences to those who have been injured and for the families who have lost loved ones . . . .

. . be safe and aware . Aloha . . . .

Sharon Mau
03 December 2013
Maui Hawaii