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Lifeguards closed Hanalei Bay to swimming until further notice due to a shark encounter that occurred early this afternoon.
The six to eight-foot-long hammerhead shark was spotted at about 1 p.m. roughly 30 yards off shore at Waioli Beach Park, also known as Pine Trees. But before lifeguards could clear everyone out of the water, a surfer reported that the shark hit his board fronting Hanalei Pavilion. The surfer was not injured and his board was not damaged.
“Shark Sighted” and “No Swimming” signs have been posted along the beach and the public is advised to stay out of the water until further notice.
The beach will remain closed until at least Tuesday morning when lifeguards will reassess the area to determine whether the water is safe.
A high-surf advisory is in place for all north and west-facing shores until Tuesday evening. For updates, call the Ocean Safety Bureau at 241-4984. For a daily ocean report, visit www.kauaiexplorer.com.
