A possible shark bite was reported Oct. 25 at Kalapaki Beach on Kauai. 

A visitor’s snorkeling fin had a bite in it, which is now being tested by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources to see whether it was in fact a shark that bit it.

"Dr. Carl Meyer at UH estimated it was an 11-12 foot shark based off the bite impression. He said it was likely a tiger shark," Dan Dennison, the senior communications manager at DLNR, told Spectrum News Hawaii. "DAR sent him a swab for DNA testing but it will probably be some time before we get results." 

Shark incidents are relatively rare in Hawaii. DLNR reported four incidents so far this year. 

DLNR data says the most recent incident occurred on Sept. 9 at Keahole Point in Kailua-Kona on Hawaii Island. A scuba diver had lacerations and puncture wounds on their left calf and ankle from a blacktip shark. DLNR classified this as a provoked incident.

Another incident occurred on Sept. 3 at Maui’s Paia Bay. A snorkeler lost their left arm below the shoulder and their index and middle fingers on their right hand. They also had puncture wounds to the left side of their torso. The shark species was unknown. 

On March 22, there was another provoked shark incident at Keahole Point. A scuba diver had a puncture wound on their right big toe from a Galapagos shark. 

The fourth incident this year occurred on Feb. 9 in Kahaluu Beach Park in Kailua-Kona on Hawaii Island. A cookiecutter shark bit a victim on their right foot and calf who was floating in water about 1,200 feet deep.

Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been updated with new information from DLNR. (Nov. 14, 2022)