It happened again on Kauai. A new shark sighting at Kealia Beach and another at Hanalei Bay brought fresh closures to both coasts yesterday, following last week’s near-fatal attack at Hanalei and an earlier shutdown at Poipu. Four closures across three beaches in seven days. Marine biologists say the cluster aligns with Hawaii’s fall shark pattern, intensified this week by heavy rain, runoff, and murky water.
For background on the original attack and rescue, see our earlier Beat of Hawaii report on the Hanalei Bay incident.
The near-fatal attack that set off the week.
On the afternoon of Tuesday, November 5, off-duty Kauai County lifeguard Chance Swanson, 33, was surfing at the Pine Trees break in Hanalei Bay when a tiger shark struck suddenly. Other surfers and lifeguards reached him within minutes, brought him to shore, and applied a tourniquet before he was rushed to Wilcox Medical Center in Lihue and airlifted to Honolulu.
The county immediately closed Hanalei Bay and posted “Shark Sighted – No Swimming” signs along the shoreline. It was Kauai’s most serious shark incident in years and the start of a tense week for island beachgoers.
Swanson continues to recover at Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu following multiple surgeries. His family shared that he was finally able to sit upright and move briefly with nurse assistance this week, a milestone after several days confined to bed. Doctors are preparing for another surgery later this week to begin skin grafting and close the remaining wounds once swelling subsides.
Family members say the emotional recovery has been as difficult as the physical one. Swanson told them he had made peace with God while waiting for rescue and later called the friends who first spotted him from shore to thank them for saving his life.
A GoFundMe campaign has been created to support Chance Swanson with medical expenses and recovery.
A new series of closures today across the island.
Ocean Safety Bureau officials report that an 8-foot tiger shark was sighted at Kealia Beach on November 11, at approximately 3 p.m. No injuries were reported. As a safety precaution, warning signs were posted, and the area continues to be monitored. If there are no additional sightings, the beach will reopen to ocean activities at 3 p.m. Wednesday, November 12.
A separate sighting occurred later the same afternoon at Hanalei Bay. Officials reported an 8-foot shark was seen around 5 p.m., prompting another closure and renewed advisories against swimming or other ocean activities.
Just a week earlier, lifeguards at Poipu Beach on the south shore had posted warnings after spotting a 3-4 foot reef shark. The beach reopened the next morning once the area had been cleared.
This sequence, covering north, south, and east shores within a single week, marked one of Kauai’s most concentrated periods of shark-related closures in recent memory.
Kauai weather plays a role this fall in shark sightings.
Heavy rain and runoff this month added to the pattern. Streams draining from Kauai’s interior carried debris and small fish into the ocean, clouding usually clear waters. Sharks move in when visibility drops and prey becomes concentrated near the reefs.
County Ocean Safety officials said the combination of storm runoff, murky water, and active surf likely contributed to this week’s sightings, all of which remain under monitoring today.
While shark sightings happen every fall, the overlap across Kauai’s coasts this week is unusual. It’s rare for both Hanalei and Poipu to post shark warnings on the same day, but marine experts say the pattern reflects temporary storm conditions rather than a long-term change in shark behavior.
Dr. Carl Meyer at the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology has documented that shark encounters in Hawaii tend to peak from October through December, the same period when female tiger sharks migrate through near-shore waters to give birth.
Historical context: not a spike, but a reminder.
Kauai usually records one to three confirmed shark attacks per year, most involving surfers or spear fishers, and nearly all are survivable. The last fatal shark attack on Kauai occurred decades ago. Recent incidents on the island have been survivable.
Statewide, Hawaii averages about five to six shark incidents per year, and Kauai typically accounts for one to two of those. This week’s cluster lines up with fall patterns noted by state marine biologists.
How closures work.
When a shark is sighted or an attack occurs, lifeguards notify the Kauai County Ocean Safety Bureau, which coordinates with the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Warning signs are posted immediately, and closures typically last at least 24 hours. Crews often deploy Jet Skis or drones to confirm conditions before giving the all clear.
As of publication, Hanalei Bay and Kealia Beach remain closed to ocean activities pending reassessment later today.
What visitors should know.
- Always swim at lifeguarded beaches.
- Avoid murky water or river mouths after rain.
- Stay out of the ocean at dawn, dusk, or night when visibility is poor.
- Check SafeBeachDay.com or consult lifeguards before entering the water.
- Never enter the ocean when shark warning signs have been posted.
- Remove shiny jewelry that can resemble fish scales.
Ocean Safety Chief Kalani Vierra credited his team’s quick actions for saving Swanson’s life and reminded beachgoers that posted signs always indicate confirmed sightings, not speculation.
Reading the week’s events.
The closures reflect the annual intersection of seasonal shark movement, storm driven runoff, and active surf that characterizes Hawaii’s fall. The ocean remains wild and powerful, and safe when approached with awareness and respect.
Photo Credit: Kealia Beach, Kauai, Beat of Hawaii.
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