Makena beaches on Maui’s south shore reopened Tuesday after a man died from a shark attack. 

The victim, 57-year-old Patrick Briney of Stevenson, Washington, was kayaking near Big Beach on Monday morning when a shark bit his leg, severing his foot. A friend who was paddling nearby and a charter boat tried to rescue him, but Stevenson died before they could get him to shore. 

Maui County lifeguards and state ocean officials reopened beaches from Little Beach to Makena Landing around noon on Tuesday after not sighting any sharks, according to the Department of Land and Natural Resources. The Maui County Fire Department also did a flyover in a helicopter. 

The shark attack marks the 13th this year for Hawaii, making it a record-breaking year. Most shark attacks are not lethal, but a young, German woman also died after being bitten by a shark while snorkeling off Maui’s south shore earlier this year. 

Sophie Cocke

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