Update: Kaua’i lifeguard recovering after shark bite at Hanalei Bay; beach remains closed

Update, 11 a.m., Nov. 7: A Kaua‘i lifeguard is recovering after being bitten by a shark Wednesday morning on the Garden Isle’s North Shore, county officials confirmed.

The victim, identified as Chance Swanson, a lifeguard with the Ocean Safety Bureau, was off-duty surfing in Hanalei Bay when the incident occurred.

On-duty lifeguards responded immediately, reaching Swanson on a rescue ski, applying a tourniquet while he was still in the water, and bringing him to shore. They continued providing first aid until American Medical Response personnel arrived and transported him to Wilcox Hospital in Līhu’e.

Swanson was later flown to Queen’s Medical Center on O‘ahu for additional treatment.

Officials said Swanson has undergone multiple surgeries and remains hospitalized but is in good spirits and thankful to be alive.

“The Ocean Safety Bureau recognizes Chance as an outstanding lifeguard and commends the quick thinking and decisive actions of the lifeguards on duty whose professionalism and teamwork saved his life,” said Kalani Vierra, chief of the Ocean Safety Bureau.

Hanalei Bay remains closed due to continued shark sightings in the area.

You can support Swanson by donating via their GoFundMe page by clicking here.

Original Post: At Hanalei Bay on the North Shore, a man from Kauaʻi was bitten by a shark at about 3 p.m. on Wednesday. About two hours later, a 3-foot or bigger reef shark was spotted by Kauaʻi County Ocean Safety Bureau officials on the completely opposite side of the island at a popular South Shore beach.

Hanalei Bay remains closed to swimming. Lifeguards will reassess the water on Thursday afternoon to determine if it is safe for swimming.

A preliminary report said the man from Kauaʻi was surfing near the Pine Trees surf break when he was bitten, receiving injuries to his legs.

The surfer was treated at the scene before being transferred to Wilcox Medical Center in Līhuʻe.

There is no information available at this time about the type or size of the shark.

Lifeguards posted “Shark Sighted” and “No Swimming” signs along the beach as a precaution and were roving the shoreline to warn beachgoers to stay out of the water until further notice.

Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources was notified about the incident, per standard protocol.

Meanwhile, no swimming or other ocean activities continue to be advised at Po‘ipū Beach on the island’s South Shore because of a shark sighting late Wednesday afternoon.

Ocean Safety Bureau officials reported seeing an about 3- to 4-foot reef shark just before 5 p.m. today in the waters of the beach.

No injuries were reported.

Officials also posted warning signs along that beach, throughout the area, as a safety precaution and continue to monitor the situation.

Lifeguards will reassess the area later this evening. If there are no other sightings, the beach will reopen to ocean activities Thursday.

Updates will be provided if more information becomes available.

Speak with a Kaua‘i County lifeguard at any lifeguard station for the latest and most up-to-date information about ocean conditions and ocean safety.

You can also reach out to Kaua‘i County Ocean Safety Bureau at 808-241-4984 or visit the Safe Beach Day website.

These two incidents come a day after Kaua‘i Ocean Safety Bureau officials closed Hanalei Bay because of a 10-foot tiger shark being spotted late Tuesday morning.

No injuries were reported in that incident either.

The beach reopened Wednesday after lifeguards reassessed the situation later Tuesday evening and found no other shark activity in the area.

News reporter Nathan Christophel contributed to this story.