SHARKS

Of Hawai`i

"Ka Mano o Hawai`i"

Some Summary Thoughts Follow
Taken From This Page's Main Text
Which Starts Just Below, About

Sharks In Hawaiian Waters:

(Clicking on the snippet of text will take you
to its place in the main text below.)

• "There are about forty species . . . "
• ". . . are top level carnivores"
• ". . . have extremely well-developed sensory capabilities"
• ". . . most pose little threat to humans"
• ". . . any shark may be potentially dangerous"
• ". . . Tiger and Galapagos are most aggressive"
• ". . . Tigers . . . (are) the most dangerous sharks in Hawaiian waters"
• ". . . it may be trying to see if the person is prey"
• ". . . shark attacks in Hawaiian waters are very rare"
• ". . . there are hidden dangers, and sharks are just one of them"

Also On This Page:

Suggested Readings On Sharks

Links To Key
Shark Sites On The Web

Shark Attacks in Hawai`i

Sharks in Hawaiian Waters . . .

There are about forty species of sharks of the 450 species of fish that occur in (i.e., are endemic to) Hawaiian waters, ranging in size from the deep-water Pygmy Shark (Squaliolus laticaudus - about 8 inches) to the Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus - up to 50 feet or more).

About eight species are commonly seen near shore. The most frequently encountered are the Sandbar, Reef Whitetip, Scalloped Hammerhead, and occasionally Tiger.

These inshore species are top-level carnivores, feeding primarily on fishes. Their function in reef ecosystems is not fully understood, but they are believed to improve fish populations by removing sick and injured fish, leaving the healthiest to reproduce.

Sharks have extremely well-developed sensory capabilities. They can detect sounds and and smells from prey at great distances (up to two miles or more, depending on water conditions). Their eyesight is good, but depends greatly on water clarity.

As sharks approach their prey, they can detect the faint electrical fields give off by all living organisms. Receptors on their snouts, known as ampullae of Lorenzini, allow sharks to locate their prey without seeing it.

Using these senses, sharks can find prey at dusk, night and dawn, which is when inshore species are generally believed to feed.

Sharks are very well aware of their environment and appear to be fairly curious by nature. They are aware of people in the water before people are aware of them. Encounters between sharks and people are infrequent, and most inshore species pose little threat to humans.

While any shark may be potentially dangerous, only a few species of Hawaiian sharks are known to attack people. They include the Tiger, Galapagos, Gray Reef and Scalloped Hammerhead. The latter two appear to attack only when provoked. The Tiger and Galapagos are most aggressive.

A Tiger shark is easily recognized by its blunt snout and the vertical bars on its sides. A Galapagos shark is harder to identify; however, any large (over six feet) gray shark with no conspicuous markings seen in inshore waters is probably a Galapagos.

Tigers are considered the most dangerous sharks in Hawaiian waters. (Great White Sharks - Carcharodon carcharias, which are also very dangerous, are rarely seen in Hawai`i.) Because of their size and feeding habits, they occupy the very top niche in inshore food chains.

Tigers seem to come into inshore waters in Fall, and stay through Spring. They appear to move offshore somewhat in Summer, but this remains to be confirmed. Like other inshore species, Tigers seem to feed mostly during night and twilight hours.

Tigers are often attracted to stream mouths after heavy rains, when upland fishes and other animals are swept out to sea. They can easily locate prey in such murky waters. Tigers are also attracted to waters frequented by fishing boats, which often trail fish remains and blood.

Of all the inshore species, Tigers have the most widely varied diet. They eat fish, lobsters, birds, turtles, dead animals, even garbage. It's not known how long Tigers can go without eating, but they soon seem to feed whenever a food source is present.

It's also not known why Tigers sometimes attack humans. A Tiger may mistake a person for a prey item, it may come across a person while in a feeding "mode," it may be trying to see if the person is prey, or perhaps there is some other explanation.

Divers who may encounter sharks often carry a shark billy or a bang stick. A billy is a club used to fend off a shark by hitting it on the snout. A bang stick is a rod with an explosive charge at the tip, used to kill an aggressive shark. Bang sticks are effective, but very dangerous. In addition, the resulting blood may attract other sharks.

Shark attacks in Hawaiian waters are very rare, occuring on the average at a rate of about two or three per year. Surfers and spearfishers appear to be most at risk. Fatal attacks are extremely rare, especially considering the number of people in Hawai`i's waters.

People who enter the water need to recognize that there are hidden dangers, and sharks are just one of them. By learning more about sharks, and using common sense, the risk of injury can be greatly reduced.

Source: The Division of Aquatic Resources, Department of Land and Natural Resources, State of Hawai`i

~ Suggested Readings on Sharks ~

Books for Young Readers:

• Barrett, Norman. Picture Library: Sharks. Danbury, Connecticut: Franklin Watts (Grolier Publishing), 1989.
• Cole, Joanna. Hungry, Hungry Sharks. New York: Random House, 1986.
• Markle, Sandra. Outside and Inside Sharks. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers (Simon & Schuster), 1996.
• Prevost, John. Great White Sharks. Edina, Minnesota: ABDO & Daughters, 1996.
• Simon, Seymour. Sharks. New York: Harper Collins Publishers, 1995.
• Walker, Jane. Fascinating Facts About Sharks . Brookfield, Connecticut: The Millbrook Press, 1993.

Books for Older Readers:

• Batten, Mary. Shark Attack Almanac (KidBacks) . New York: Random House, 1997.
• Budker, Paul. The Life of Sharks. New York: Columbia University Press, 1971.
• Bunting, Anne Eve. The Sea World Book of Sharks. San Diego: Sea World Press, 1979.
• Castro, José I. The Sharks of North American Waters. College Station, Texas: Texas A & M University Press, 1983.
• Cerullo, Mary. Sharks: Challengers of the Deep. New York: Cobblehill Books/Dutton, 1993.
• Chovan, Judith L. and Sara E. Crump. Sharks: Fact and Fantasy. Los Angeles: Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Education Division, 1990.
• Compagno, Leonard J.V. FAO Species Catalogue, Vol. 4. An Annotated and Illustrated Catalogue of Shark Species Known to Date. Rome: FAO, 1984.
• Compagno, Leonard J.V. Sharks of the Order Carcharhiniformes. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 1988.
• Crockett, Jim. The Great White Shark. New York: Arch Cape Press, 1989.
• Ellis, Richard and John E. McCosker. Great White Shark. New York: Harper Collins, 1991.
• Cousteau, Jacques-Yves and Philippe Cousteau. The Shark: Splendid Savage of the Sea. New York: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1970.
• Cousteau, Jean-Michel and Mose Richards. Great White Shark. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 1992.
• Dingerkus, Guido. The Shark Watchers' Guide. New York: Julian Messner, 1985.
• Ellis, Richard and John E. McCosker. Great White Shark. New York: Harper Collins, 1991.
• Ferguson, Ava and Gregor Cailliet. Sharks and Rays of the Pacific Coast. Monterey, California: Monterey Bay Aquarium, 1990.
• Gruber, Samuel H., ed. Discovering Sharks. Highlands, New Jersey: American Littoral Society, 1991.
• Hall, Howard. Sharks. San Luis Obispo, California: Blake Publishing, 1990.
• Hall, Howard. Sharks: The Perfect Predators. New York: Silver Burdett Press (at Simon & Schuster Co.), 1995.
• MacQuitty, Miranda. Eyewitness Books: Sharks . New York: Dorling Kindersley (Alfred F. Knopf), 1992.
• Matthews, Rupert. How They Live. Sharks. New York: Mallard Press, 1989.
• Moss, Sanford A. Sharks, an Introduction for the Amateur Naturalist. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, Inc., 1984.
• Reader's Digest Services. Sharks, Silent Hunters of the Deep. New York: Reader's Digest, 1986.
• Sattler, Helen. Sharks, the Super Fish. New York: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books, 1986.
• Server, Lee. Sharks. New York: Crescent Books, 1989.
• Springer, Victor G. and Joy P. Gold. Sharks in Question. The Smithsonian Answer Book. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1989.
• Stafford-Deitsch, Jeremy. Shark. A Photographer's Story. San Francisco: Sierra Club Books, 1988.
• Steel, Rodney. Sharks of the World. New York: Facts on File, Inc., 1985.
• Stevens, John D., ed. Sharks. New York: Facts on File, Inc., 1987.
• Suzumoto, Arnold. Sharks Hawaii. Honolulu: Bishop Museum Press, 1991.
• Taylor, Leighton. Sharks of Hawai'i: Their Biology and Cultural Significance. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1993.
• Walker, Niki and Kalman, Bobbie. Sharks. New York: Crabtree Publishing Group, 1997.
• Wheeler, Alwyne. Sharks. New York: Gloucester Press, 1987.

Here's a link to a very comprehensive, annotated bibliography online, References on Sharks by the National Museum of Natural History in its Encyclopedia Smithsonian. (However, it hasn't been updated since 1995.)

Waikiki Aquarium has a thorough bibliography of suggested readings on sharks you can reach on the Web by clicking here.

Search Amazon.com for the Latest Books on Sharks:

Keyword Search: Press Go! to Search!

Need Even More Information on Sharks

Here Are Four Key Shark Web Links
(A New Browser Window Will Open Up):

Shark Research Program
at the Florida Museum of Natural History

This comprehensive series of web pages on sharks includes information and statistical data on shark attacks. As the Program describes its pages: "Pages include shark biology, ecology, conservation, and research. Shark attack statistics, shark breaking news, great white sharks and megamouth sharks. Host for (IUCN) Shark Specialist Group, the International Shark Attack File, and the Commercial Shark Fishery Observer Program."

Fiona's Shark Mania

As Fiona describes it: "This is an ever-unfolding space devoted to those magnificent animals -- sharks. This shark site features a Richard Ellis Gallery of Sharks (illustrations and informative text), the most comprehensive list of shark links on the Web, and information on SHARK-L, the mailing list. On the lighter side, it includes fun shark graphics, cool sharks on the Web, true (or nearly so) shark stories, sharks in literature, shark clip art, and whatever else Fiona can think of that has to do with sharks. Kids are welcome!"

Kids - Take a Shark Surfari!
From nationalgeographic.com Online

An interesting online quiz and other expert shark information - for the young and the young at heart, too! From nationalgeographic.com: Resource for scientific discovery, photography, travel, exploration, maps, news, live webcams, educational tools, and an online store from the prestigious National Geographic Society.

"How Sharks Work"
From the HowStuffWorks.com Web Site

"Sharks are top dog in the oceans! Learn more about these highly effective predators." . . . so writes Tom Harris, author of this series of nicely done, informative web pages.

Shark Attacks in Hawai`i

- The Honolulu Advertiser has a fairly nice graphic which shows "Shark Attacks in Hawai`i" from 1994 through October 18, 2000.
To see this graphic, please click here.
The shark attack story in which this graphic appeared can be found by clicking here.

Recent Attacks in Hawai`i

2003

• October 31st, Lihu'e, Kaua'i—A large shark on Kauai’s north shore attacked a 13-year-old girl, biting off most of her left arm. The girl was surfing at the western break of Tunnels Reef at 7:30 a.m. Bite width on her board was 16 by 8 inches, suggesting the shark was 12 to 15 feet long.
• October 5th, Kihei, Maui — A woman was bitten while swimming off Cove Park near a fishing net, suffering two deep, half-inch lacerations to her right knee and other scrapes.
• June 24th, Makua, O`ahu — A man snorkeling with dolphins was bitten on his right foot.
• May 10th, Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i — A man suffered multiple cuts and other injuries to his right lower calf down to his heel after being attacked while swimming in calm waters.

2002

• November 17th, Honokawai, Maui — A woman was bitten around her right shoulder and nearly lost her right hand in an attack near Ka`anapali.
• October 30th, Kihei, Maui — A woman swimming in turbid water was bitten on the left foot.
• September 27th, Kahala, O`ahu — A surfer escaped injury when bumped by a tiger shark that bit his board.
• September 16th, Princeville, Kaua`i — A bodyboarder was uninjured, spotting a shark fin just before the board was ripped away.
• August 28th, Kewalo, O`ahu — A surfer was bitten on the left foot while diving under a wave.
• June 11th, Anini Beach, Kaua`i — A surfer was uninjured after a shark approached from behind and bit the side of his board.
• March 25th, Brennecke Beach, Kaua`i — A teenager lost his left foot after an attack in murky waters.
• January 1st, Olowalu, Maui — A snorkeler was bitten on the buttocks by a tiger shark observed before and after the attack in clear water.

Source: Honolulu Advertiser & AP

You can see the other sharks which are common inshore species to Hawai`i by clicking on this scalloped hammerhead shark - Sphyrna lewini.

Link here for some tips to reduce the risk of shark attack by clicking on these jaws of a mako shark - Isurus oxyrinchus.

Click here for telephone numbers you can call to report when sighting large (i.e., more than eight feet), aggressive sharks in Hawai'i.

HERE ARE SOME
BASIC OCEAN SAFETY TIPS:

• Swim in Lifeguarded Areas
• Never Swim Alone
• Don't Dive Into Unknown Water or Into Shallow Breaking Waves
• Ask a Lifeguard About Beach and Surf Conditions Before Swimming
• If You Are Unable to Swim Out of a Strong Current, Signal for Help
• Rely on Your Swimming Ability Rather Than a Flotation Device
• Look For, Read and Obey All Beach Safety Signs and Symbols
• If In Doubt, Just Stay Out!

Return to the Beach Hale (Home) Aloha Page. You can also use the following links to continue your beach and ocean tour of Oahu's North Shore, South Shore, East Shore, or West Shore.

You can also use the following pick list to "surf" to a particular shore or guarded beach, or learn about an important ocean safety topic:

Scroll Down for Key Web Pages of This Site ~ BEACH DIRECTORY FOR O`AHU, HAWAI`I ~ ~ THE NORTH SHORE ~ Sunset Beach Ehukai (The Banzai Pipeline) KeWa`ena Beach Waimea Bay Ali`i Beach ~ THE SOUTH SHORE ~ Ala Moana Waikiki Hanauma Bay Sandy Beach ~ THE EAST SHORE ~ Makapu`u Bellows Kailua Kualoa ~ THE WEST SHORE ~ Makaha Pokai Bay Nanakuli Ma`ili ----------------------------------- Beach & Ocean Hazards Be Sun Safe & Sensible! Dangerous Ocean Critters Ocean Safety Signs ----------------------------------- Hawaiian Lifeguards' Home Page Hawaiian Lifeguard Association ----------------------------------- Web Site Map

Suggestions, comments and recommendations are welcomed. These pages are a project of the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association, a not for profit, professional association of Hawaii's lifeguards devoted to the advancement of lifesaving services and public education on beach and ocean safety.

Webmaster: This page is maintained by J. B. Lee. You can reach me by e-mail at: jblee@aloha.com. Last modified: 20-Jul-2005 02:22 PM HST

Aloha . . . e malama i ke kai!