Lifeguards temporarily closed three beach parks in Kihei this afternoon after an 8-foot shark bumped into a snorkeler, leaving her with minor scrapes on her arm and leg.

The 40-year-old woman from Canada was in the water about 10 yards off the point between Kamaole II and Kamaole III beach parks when she was hit at about 12:30 p.m., according to Maui Fire Services Chief Edward Taomoto.

Afterward, the shark headed to deeper water and the woman swam to shore. She described the animal as grey and about 8 feet long. The woman declined medical treatment for her injuries — minor abrasions on her left thigh and left arm.

Ocean safety personnel closed Kamole Beach Parks I, II and II at 12:45 p.m and are patrolling the waters to warn beachgoers to stay out of the ocean, Taomoto said. If there are no further shark sightings, the beach will remain closed for the standard two-hour period and were reopened at 2:45 p.m., he said.

On Wednesday, Makena State Park was shut for two hours after an 8-foot Galapagos shark snatched the fish catch of two divers and followed them to shore. On Sept. 21, Makena State Park closed briefly after a shark took the catch of two spear-fishermen 100 yards offshore.