KIHEI, Hawaii — The search for a missing 60-year-old Washington State woman was called off Friday at noon, according to a Department of Land and Natural Resources news release. 

Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement officers and first responders started the search on Thursday after a 911 call came from a man around noon, who said he had been snorkeling with his wife about 50-yards from shore at Keawakapu Point in South Maui and saw a shark swim by repeatedly. He returned to shore after looking for his wife.

DLNR said other witnesses also reported seeing a large shark in the same vicinity where the man said he saw it. The shark is believed to be a tiger shark.

The search started shortly after the 911 call was received and continued Thursday until nightfall. On Friday morning, the search resumed at dawn. 

The Maui Fire Department searched for the woman via jet skis and by diving. The U.S. Coast Guard aircraft, the Maui Fire Department Air 1, the Maui Fire Department rescue boat, Maui Ocean Safety and the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement also searched by air and water, respectively.

Shark warning signs were placed between the Mana Kai condominiums to Ulua Point. People were encouraged to avoid the area.

A survey of the area did not provide any evidence that the 10-12-foot-long shark was still in the vicinity, so the signs have been taken down. 

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

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been updated with the DLNR's announcement that the search has been called off. (December 9, 2022)