Shark bites surfer on the leg at Hanalei Bay

A surfer at Hanalei Bay was bitten by a shark this afternoon, leading Kauai County officials to close the beach until further notice.

A male resident was surfing near the Pine Trees surf break when he was bitten on the leg, according to Kauai’s Ocean Safety Bureau. He was treated by first responders before being taken to Wilcox Medical Center.

His condition was not disclosed, although county officials said he was not in critical condition. They did not have information on the type or size of shark.

As a safety precaution, ‘Shark Sighted’ and ‘No Swimming’ signs have been posted at Hanalei Bay, and lifeguards were roving the shoreline urging the public to to stay out of the water.

The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources has been notified of the incident, and Hanalei Bay will be reassessed on Thursday afternoon to determine if it is safe for swimming.

On the south shore of Kauai, shark signs were also been posted at Poipu Beach due to a shark sighting. Officials advised no swimming other ocean activities at Poipu after a 3- to 4- foot reef shark was sighted at about 4:50 p.m. No injuries were reported.

Lifeguards will reassess the area this evening, and reopen the beach Thursday if there are no other sightings.

For up-to-date information about Kauai ocean conditions, beachgoers can talk to a county lifeguard at any lifeguard station or call the Ocean Safety Bureau at 808-241-4984.