KAILUA-KONA — Laaloa, also known as Magic Sands, and Kahaluu beach parks are set to reopen today after being closed Thursday due to a shark sighting.
The Department of Land and Natural Resources Thursday morning said it confirmed the sighting of a shark in the vicinity of Laaloa Bay, which is where Laaloa Beach Park is located, and Kahaluu Bay, which is where Kahaluu Beach Park is located, according to Hawaii County Civil Defense.
A reassessment conducted Thursday afternoon by the Hawaii Fire Department found no sign of a shark, said Battalion Chief Bill Bergin.
The two Hawaii County parks were to remain closed Thursday and reopen as normal today, Bergin said.
Thursday marked the third time this month that a shark sighting in Laaloa Bay has prompted the closure of the beach park, and the first time a shark sighting has closed Kahaluu Beach Park.
On Wednesday, Laaloa Beach Park was closed due to a confirmed shark sighting shortly before 4 p.m. in waters off the beach park on Alii Drive, according to Hawaii County Civil Defense. The shark was said to be a 12-foot tiger.
On Aug. 1, Laaloa was closed after a 12- to 15-foot tiger shark was spotted about 20 yards offshore and attacked a sea turtle.
Last Tuesday, a woman was attacked by what is believed to have been a reef shark while swimming in Kealakekua Bay.