Kauai lifeguards close bay after hammerhead sighting

Kauai lifeguards closed Hana­lei Bay to swimming until further notice due to a shark encounter early Monday afternoon.

The 6- to 8-foot-long hammerhead shark was spotted at about 1 p.m. roughly 30 yards off Wai­oli Beach Park, also known as Pine Trees. 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.

The public is reminded that a high-surf advisory is in place for all north and west shores until 6 p.m. Tuesday.

Surf of 10 to 15 feet is expected along the north shores of Kauai, Nii­hau, Oahu, Molo­kai and Maui. Waves of 8 to 12 feet are forecast for the west shores of Kauai and Nii­hau, the National Weather Service says.

For updates, call the Ocean Safety Bureau at 241-4984. For a daily ocean report, visit www.kauai­explorer.com.