A 61-year-old surfer from Maui, identified as Kenji Nonoka, suffered a devastating shark attack while surfing at Sandpiles near Waiehu Beach Park on last Friday morning. Witnesses reported that Nonoka was struck by the shark, prompting him to cry out for help as he struggled to return to shore. Other surfers quickly assisted him, helping him reach the beach where emergency responders applied a tourniquet to control his severe bleeding.
“I heard this yell and looked over to see him splash in the water,” said witness David Basques, speaking to Hawaii News Now. “He swam back about halfway before someone jumped in to help him.”
Maui Fire Assistant Chief Jeffrey Giessa confirmed that when emergency personnel arrived, Nonoka was already onshore and alert. “Reports indicated he had made it to shore on his own,” Giessa stated. “Maui Police Department personnel had applied two combat application tourniquets to stop the bleeding. Our personnel accompanied medics to the hospital where he remained conscious throughout the transport. We do not have updates on his current condition, but we hope for the best.”
Nonoka sustained a significant injury to his right leg, which was ultimately amputated below the knee following emergency treatment at Maui Memorial Medical Center. Giessa commented on the severity of the attack: “What I can confirm is that his leg was bitten off below the knee. We do not know if his surfboard was damaged, but something bit him and severed his leg. He could not provide information on the type or size of the shark.”
In response to the incident, a GoFundMe campaign was launched to assist with Nonoka’s medical expenses, setting a goal of $100,000. Within less than 24 hours, the campaign raised over $36,000. “Kenji was attacked by a shark just below his knee. His friends and morning surf crew helped him, and he is currently recovering well in the ICU. We all want to support him as he continues to heal,” the campaign description reads. “In true Kenji style, immediately after surgery, he said, ‘I still love the ocean!’ and we want to help him get back to what he loves.”
This incident follows a recent shark attack in Florida, where a surfer was bitten for the second time at the same beach. Both events serve as a stark reminder for surfers to remain vigilant about their surroundings in the water and to pursue basic emergency medical training, which can be crucial in situations like these. In both cases, fellow surfers provided life-saving assistance before emergency responders arrived.
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