KAILUA-KONA — A man involved in a shark attack over the weekend remains in critical condition, authorities said Tuesday.
Hawaii Police Department Maj. Robert Wagner stated the 25-year-old victim is from Canada but his family owns a house in Kukio.
The victim suffered severe injuries during the encounter Saturday morning. At approximately 11 a.m., the Hawaii Fire Department received reports of a man bitten by a shark at Kukio Bay.
The 25-year-old man was paddleboarding with his father about 100-150 yards offshore at the time the encounter occurred, according to fire officials. Members of the outdoor pursuits staff from the Kukio Community Association responded to the attack by taking a four-person canoe out, recovering the man and bringing him back to shore.
Upon EMS arrival, fire officials reported bystanders were treating the patient with multiple tourniquets to his right-side extremities.
Wagner said the man had serious injuries that caused significant loss of blood. Without the assistance of those on the beach, Wagner added, the victim would have died.
The 25-year-old was taken to North Hawaii Community Hospital then flown to The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu. Authorities reported that the man suffered multiple injuries to his hand and leg.
As of Tuesday evening, hospital officials, however, had not provided a condition update due to HIPPA regulations.
Kukio Bay is a public beach to which access is gained through the private and gated communities and resorts of Kukio Golf and Beach Club and Four Seasons Resort Hualalai.
Concierge at Kukio would not comment on whether the individual involved in the shark incident was a resident of the community.
General Manager Scott Nair is out of the office and has not returned emails for comment.