Shark severs Hawaii man's leg from the knee down in vicious attack at Maui beach
A surfers leg was completely severed during a vicious shark attack in the waters of Hawaii - but it hasnt changed how he feels about the ocean.
A surfers leg was completely severed during a vicious shark attack in the waters of Hawaii - but it hasnt changed how he feels about the ocean.
Kenji Nonoka, 61, was surfing off Waiehu Beach Park in Maui Friday morning at one of his regular spots known as the Sand Piles - a place where he has been riding waves for 30 years, KHON 2 reported.
As he sat on his board in the clear waters around 7am, a shark swam up and bit his leg - severing it from the knee down.
I heard this yell and I looked, and all of a sudden, I just seen a splash, and I dont know what was happening, David Basques, a witness of the attack, told Hawaii News Now.
He swam himself back maybe more than half the way, and then I seen somebody jump in, he added.
A 61-year-old surfer, known as Kenji Nonoka, was riding the waves at Waiehu Beach Park in Maui, Hawaii, when he became the victim of a shark attack - losing his leg from the knee down
He was sitting on his board while on the waters of his regular surf spot known as the Sand Piles when a shark swam up and bit his leg
The 61-year-old surfer, who was still alert after the attack, was able to swim back to shore with the help of others before the Maui Police Department responded to the scene.
But immediately after his surgery, he was said to have told his loved ones, I still love the ocean! according to his GoFundMe page.
He told authorities that he did not see the shark approach him.
Officers attempted to control the bleeding while onshore with tourniquets - a strip of cloth or rubber that is wrapped tightly around the wound to halt the blood flow - an action that is often the difference between life and death.
He was then taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center in critical condition where he is now recovering in the ICU.
The gate to the beach park was closed off and officials have warned beach-goers to stay out of the water for a mile in each direction of the attack until further notice.
He was able to swim back to shore with the help of other locals before being transported to the hospital in critical condition
Rescue watercrafts and drones were used to monitor and patrol the waters after the attack which officials closed off until further notice
Maui fire and ocean safety officials kept an eye on the waters using rescue watercraft and a drone as well as providing shark warning signs to monitor and patrol the area.
Be with somebody else, right, sometimes that person can be the one who provides whatever assistance you may need, Jeff Giesea, the Maui Fire Assistant Chief, told Island News.
The public warning to avoid swimming or surfing will be extended if there are any additional sightings of sharks.
Although its unclear what type of shark was involved in the attack, the seasoned surfer told his friends that he believed it to be a tiger shark.
This is the fifth shark attack of 2024, but the first shark bite seen on the island this year.
Experts noted that the chance of encountering one increase during October and November.
What happens this time of year is the big female sharks swim down from the Northwest Hawaiian islands, Andrew Rossiter, the Waikiki Aquarium Director, told KHON 2.
A third of the population swim down here to pup and give birth, and when they finish pupping, they hang around and feed before swimming back, he added.
The 61-year-old surfer is now recovering in the ICU and was said to say I still love the ocean! immediately after he got out his surgery
Maui has experienced a total of 75 unprovoked shark attacks since 1828 - the greatest amount of all the Hawaiian islands, according to Florida Museum.
On average, there are around three to four shark attacks each year on Hawaiian islands - most of them being non-fatal.
There were eight shark attacks in Hawaii just last year, one of which killed Tamayo Perry, a well known surfer, as he was riding the waves off Oahus North Shore in June.
A GoFundMe page with a goal of $100k was created to help with medical bills and has accumulated over $49,000 so far.
Kenji is the brightest light to show up every morning on the Wai side - rain or shine, howling trade winds or Maui glass - he is always out there, stoked, dedicated and sharing his enthusiastic "I happy!" the GoFundMe update said.
If youve ever been out there with him, youve likely gotten to experience his incredible forth and yee-haws as hes cruising down the waves with the biggest smile on his face, the post added.
We want to support him in getting back to what he loves.
