Makena beaches on the south shore of Maui are closed for a second time this week after an aggressive shark chased two spear fishermen out of the water on Wednesday. 

On Monday, a shark killed a kayaker in the same vicinity, prompting beach closures.

The fishermen told lifeguards that an 8- to 10-foot Galapagos shark made several passes at them while fishing off of Black Sand Beach, according to Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources. 

“They tried to fend it off with their spears but the shark kept coming, so they let it take their catch of speared fish and headed back to shore at Little Beach,” according to a DLNR press release. 

There have been a record number of shark attacks in Hawaii this year. In addition two fatalities, 11 other people have been injured by shark bites.

Photo: Makena Beach, Maui (Credit: Hawaii Savvy)

— Sophie Cocke