WAILUKU, Maui, Hawai`i– Maui County Ocean Safety officers responded to a shark attack at 10:15 a.m. today in Kihei.

The 61-year-old male victim had been snorkeling with another man about 200 yards off shore, fronting1790 Halama Street when the shark attack took place. The victim suffered multiple lacerations to the lower left leg and thigh area.

At this time the size of the shark and type are unknown, but the victim did say that the shark’s head was about two feet wide. The victim, visiting from Lake Oswego, OR, sustained a deep laceration to his left calf.

The victim was treated on shore and transported to the Maui Memorial Medical Center. Ocean Safety, Maui Fire Department personnel and officials from the Department of Land and Natural Resources have since closed the beach off to swimmers from Kamaole III to Waipualani Park. There are safety signs posted and Air One will be doing a flyby of the area shortly, along with Ocean Safety patrolling the waters via jet ski.

The area will remain closed until sunset and reevaluated tomorrow morning. If there are no additional confirmed shark sightings the area will likely reopen at 11 a.m. Saturday.