It’s been the worst year on record for shark attacks in Hawaii and today that record got even worse. 

A 29-year-old man was bitten by a shark while body boarding in Ninole Bay just south of Punaluu Beach Park, KITV reports

The victim’s injuries, which are believed to be from a 10 to 12-foot long tiger shark, are not life threatening. 

This marks the 14th shark attack statewide this year, according to information from Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources. During the past two decades, Hawaii has averaged about four shark attacks a year and rarely are they fatal.

This year, two people have died from their injuries. A young, German woman died earlier this year after a shark severed her arm while snorkeling off Maui’s south shore. Another man died earlier this month when a shark bit his leg while he was fishing in a kayak, also off Maui’s south shore. 

Photo: tiger shark (NOAA)

Sophie Cocke

Help us hold the powerful to account

As a Civil Beat reader, you know how important it is for journalists to have the freedom, resources and ability to pursue stories that shine a light on corruption, institutional failures and other wrongdoing. Your support today will help keep our reporters on the beat and our stories always free to read.

Give now and help power the strongest team of investigative journalists in the state.