The recent incidents involved a 10-foot tiger shark attacking a surfer just four days after a standup paddle boarder was attacked in the same bay. Both cases resulted in boards with bite marks. Fortunately there
were no injuries to the people involved and they were able to get back to shore unharmed.

When the standup paddler was attacked she was knocked to the left of the board while her 3-year-old grandson was knocked to the right of the board. The woman recounted landing on the shark and kicking at it before paddling her grandson back to shore.

Just days later a surfer recounted how her board lurched forward and then was pulled underwater. The shark left a large bite mark in the surfboard. Experts concluded that the bite came from a tiger shark about ten feet long. These were the first two recorded shark attacks in Holualoa Bay.

Shark Attacks Relatively Rare in Hawaiian Waters

Despite the recent incidents, the fact is that shark attacks are relatively rare in Hawaiian waters. More than seven million visitors come to Hawaii each year and most enjoy the beautiful beaches, yet total attacks in one year are typically between one and eight with fatalities being even more rare.

Historically the number of shark attacks has not been increasing even though the number of visitors has been increasing. Since 1882 there have been more than 115 total unprovoked shark attacks in Hawaiian
waters with eleven fatalities. Based on these numbers, a much more dangerous risk in Hawaiian waters is drowning – about sixty drownings occur in Hawaii each year.

Why Do Sharks Attack Humans?

Of the forty species of sharks known to inhabit Hawaiian waters, eight species are seen near shore including Tiger Sharks. Humans are not the intended prey of any of these sharks though it is possible the sharks may mistake humans for their natural prey, particularly in murky water. Areas frequented by fishing boats may also attract sharks, especially when there are fish remains and blood in the water.

The State of Hawaii Shark Task Force has issued a series of recommendations to reduce the risk of a shark attack, including: Never swim alone; swim in guarded areas; don’t wear highly contrasting colors or bright jewelry; avoid excessive splashing; be alert if fish and turtles are fleeing an area; remove speared fish from the water; and avoid swimming at dusk, in murky water, when bleeding and when sharks are known to be present.

The Inspirational Story of Bethany Hamilton

Perhaps Hawaii’s most infamous shark attack on a surfer took place on October 31, 2003 on Kauai’s north shore when then 13-year-old Beth- any Hamilton lost her left arm to a tiger shark estimated at 14 feet in length.

Hamilton wrote about the shark attack in her 2004 book Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family and Fighting to Get Back on the Board. Overcoming the setback, in 2005 Bethany took first place, the National Surfing Championships of the National Scholastic Surfing Association.

Bethany has also appeared on major television shows including Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres, Inside Edition and Good Morning America to talk about her inspirational story which is also told in the feature film Heart of a Soul Surfer released in April, 2011 and starring Helen Hunt, Dennis Quaid, Craig T. Nelson and Carrie Underwood.

Waikoloa Beach Resort has two courses, Kings Golf Course and the Beach Course, featuring lakes, bunkers and lava flows. Mauna Lani also offers two resort-style courses with rolling fairways, incredible panoramas and volcanic features. Mauna Kea Golf Course is an 18-hole championship course that presents dramatic changes in elevation, large undulating greens, and 120 well-placed bunkers. The Big Island Country Club and Kona Country club, offer three more challenging courses for challenging links and greens paralleled by the Pacific shoreline. You are sure to enjoy any of the Big Island Golf courses.

Waikoloa Beach Resort – King’s Golf Course

Designed by Tom Weiskopf and Jay Moorish, the Par 72, 7,000-yard layout of the Waikoloa King’s Course features six major lakes and approximately 75 bunkers.

Waikoloa Beach Resort – Beach Golf Course

Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., the resort-style Waikoloa Beach Course is literally carved through the magnificent lava flows along Anaeho’omalu Bay.

Mauna Lani Golf Club – South Golf Course

The unique Mauna Lani Golf Club South Course has fairways composed of Bermuda grass, lined by a thick rough and and surrounded by colorful pahoehoe and a’a lava rock.

Mauna Lani Golf Club – North Course

The Mauna Lani Golf Club North Course, with its sinuous brown forms of pahoehoe (smooth) lava, emphasizes rolling fairways edged by groves of twisted kiawe trees.

Kona Country Club – Ocean Course

Kona Country Club’s Ocean course offers difficulty to golfers because the course is situated very close to the shoreline and has a strong crosswind. Being so close to the ocean, golfers may even get sprayed by ocean mist.

Kona Country Club – Mountain Course

Golfers play over lava tube blow holes, look over the Pacific Ocean and admiring ancient Hawaiian archeological sites, experiencing amazing ocean views from every hole!

Mauna Kea Golf Course

Created by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., this incomparable 18-hole championship course presents dramatic changes in elevation, large undulating greens, and 120 well-placed bunkers.

Hapuna Golf Course

This 18-hole championship golf course offers spectacular views of the Kohala Coast and the Pacific Ocean while majestic Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, and Kohala Mountains form the backdrop.

Makalei Golf Club

Located on the upper slopes of Mount Hualalai, every round of golf at Makalei Golf Club is a memorable experience with the breathtaking panoramic views of the Kohala Coast.

Big Island Country Club

This unique course is at a higher elevation than typical Hawaiian courses. The fairways are slightly rolling and play host to over 2,000 types of vegetation. The medium-sized greens are undulating and moderate in speed.

Big Island Waimea Country Club

Located in upcountry Waimea, this course is a great golf escape where you will find some of the finest greens in all the islands. The Scottish links design is set with views of both the ocean and Mauna Kea.

You can pre-book your Tee times way before you even get to Hawaii. Click here and then click on the golf activities link to pre-book your Golf Tee Times.

Hale O Naia Bed & Breakfast
Pahoa, HI
Discover this tropical haven in Pahao, Hawaii. From spa services available upon request, and in-room romantic dinners, to soaking in jacuzzi tubs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Hale O Naia Bed & Breakfast is your obvious choice for the Hawaiian Get-a-way of a lifetime.

The rooms are luxurious and spacious, each with a lanai and view of the ocean. The sauna and whirlpool are available for your relaxation after a day of swimming. Massages can be arranged by one of many certified specialists in the fields of lomi lomi or other traditional practices of massage. Arrange to have meals served to your room for a special romantic occassion. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination. Kayaks are available for those with a more adventurous spirit who hear the call of the waves as they beckon you to join them in their playful dance in to shore. From your room, you may even catch sight of a dolphin or two as they play up the coast. During whale season, you may hear the call of the humpbacks as they migrate up and down the coast.

Hale o Naia is nestled on the shores of Kapoho cove and boasts one of the few safe places to enjoy swimming on the East side of the Big Island. Wake up to a continental breakfast and the surf serenading you off the lanai of the master suite or in the new jacuzzi hot tub. The master suite has a sauna and large tub, a sitting area and large lanai. I think you will enjoy this Hawaii Bed and Breakfast.

On your trip to the Big Island of Hawaii, you will see the natural wonders and exotic flavors that Hawaii has to offer. There are many wonderful sights worth visiting and many activities worth doing during your stay on the Big Island of Hawaii. Some of the activities that will keep you busy while in Hawaii are visits to the beaches, volcano trekking, Luaus, Snorkeling and many many more things to enjoy your visit to Hawaii.

If you love adventure, you will love the Kona region of the Big Island where you can go sport fishing and catch some exotic fish. You can also visit the depths of the ocean in a submarine where you can take some pictures of eels, dolphins and sharks. If you want first hand adventure, the Big Island offers snorkeling and scuba diving spots to visit to get as close to the beautiful fish of Hawaii. Another way of seeing the Big Island of Hawaii is by riding horseback.

If it is natural wonders abound on the Big Island, you have to go see Mount Kilauea which is the most active volcano found in the world. This volcano that is part of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and it is always in a continual state of eruption. Make sure you follow the safety tips you will be offered, before actually visiting Kilauea so that you get to enjoy and experience a thrill of a lifetime.

Besides all this thrill and excitement, you can also spend some quiet time with a Hawaiian sunset dinner cruise. The beautiful environment which is Hawaii is made up of sloping hills and valleys, waterfalls and the extensive tropical plant life that all have a part to play in the music and art of Hawaii. The best places to visit for your satisfaction in art, are the galleries and museums that are found here.

There are many golf courses on the Big Island for those of you who are golf lovers. The courses are breathtaking and immaculate golf promises you the icing of the cake of your vacation in Hawaii. The Hawaiian people are very friendly, being a blend many nationalities. There are traces of Japanese, Chinese, Portuguese and many more nationalities in the culture of Hawai’i.

Of course, no trip to the Big Island is complete without a visit to its many beautiful Hawaii beaches. The sand on the beaches here vary in colors ranging from snow white to ink black. You can head for crowded beaches with children or enjoy romantic and secluded beaches, including some topless beaches, with your partner and spend some wonderful time enjoying the sun and surf on the beaches of the Big Island.

Original post by staff@the-hawaii-directory.com (The Hawaii Directory)

Original post by staff@the-hawaii-directory.com (The Hawaii Directory)

Original post by staff@the-hawaii-directory.com (The Hawaii Directory)