Honolulu Ocean Safety posted warning signs and issued a shark advisory at the Makaha surf break Thursday morning after lifeguards reported an eight-foot shark about 100 feet off the reef. The HNL Alert system notified residents around 9:20 a.m., and lifeguards monitored the area while the advisory remained in effect. No injuries were reported.
According to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, lifeguards spotted the shark near a reef just off Makaha, roughly 100 feet from shore, and quickly lined the beach with warning signs. The outlet reports that the HNL Alert went out at about 9:20 a.m. and urged anyone thinking about paddling out to talk to lifeguards first.
What Officials Advised
Ocean Safety told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, "If you see or encounter a shark, notify Ocean Safety personnel or call 911 immediately." The state Department of Land and Natural Resources keeps a public incident log and shares safety tips for swimmers, surfers and paddlers who share Hawaiian waters. The Department of Land and Natural Resources recommends staying out of murky water, avoiding dawn and dusk entries, and sticking with a group whenever possible.
Leeward Oʻahu Trend
The Makaha advisory fits into a wider pattern along Oʻahu’s leeward coast this year, where lifeguards have repeatedly broken out the shark signs at popular breaks. Earlier in the year, Hawaii News Now reported an aggressive eight-foot shark off Makaha in June, and Ocean Safety crews have been stepping up patrols whenever sharks are seen nosing into surf lineups.
How Lifeguards Respond and How to Get Alerts
When a shark is reported, Ocean Safety crews typically roll out bright "Shark Sighted" signs, clear people from the water if there is any public-safety risk, and keep monitoring the area until the situation is reassessed. The city’s HNL Alert system is how those official notices land on phones and inboxes. Users can set up a custom account on the HNL Alert website or sign up for urgent text alerts by sending "HNLALERT" to 888777, according to Spectrum News.
Stay Aware
Ocean Safety officials say they will keep an eye on Makaha and update advisories as needed while lifeguards remain on patrol. For more leeward-side context on recent shark activity and city safety moves, see our earlier coverage on shark-safety steps in Nanakuli.
