Beachgoers at Electric Beach got an uninvited visitor Monday when lifeguards spotted an estimated 10-foot shark cruising about 50 to 100 yards offshore, prompting warning signs along the shoreline. Honolulu Ocean Safety said the shark did not display aggressive behavior, but lifeguards still cleared the immediate area and urged visitors to stay tuned in to posted warnings and ocean conditions. There were no reports of injuries, and officials reminded the public to call 911 in an emergency.
What lifeguards reported
Honolulu Ocean Safety confirmed the sighting and ordered warning signs posted along Kahe Point Beach Park, better known to locals as Electric Beach, according to KITV. The agency told the station the shark was seen roughly 50 to 100 yards from shore and estimated to be about 10 feet long, and officials did not identify the species. Lifeguards are patrolling the area and advising beachgoers to check in with them before heading into the water.
Electric Beach's history of sightings
Electric Beach is a popular snorkeling spot that regularly draws marine life, including the occasional shark, in part because warm water outflows from a nearby power plant attract bait fish and their predators, according to Hawaii.com. Local outlets have repeatedly reported similar shark sightings at Kahe Point, including multiple tiger sharks in October 2023 and another nonaggressive sighting last August, a reminder that shark advisories are not unusual along this stretch of West Oʻahu. As the Honolulu Star-Advertiser has noted, lifeguards routinely post warning signs and monitor conditions when sharks are spotted.
Safety advice from lifeguards
Honolulu Ocean Safety is urging people to check with lifeguards for up-to-date ocean conditions and to stay out of the water whenever warning signs are posted, KITV reported. Officials also repeated standard shark safety tips, including avoiding murky water, swimming with a buddy, and steering clear of the ocean at dawn or dusk, when sharks tend to be more active. For anyone in immediate danger, the city advises calling 911.
Warning signs will stay up while Ocean Safety continues to monitor the area, and visitors planning to snorkel or swim at Kahe Point are urged to talk with a lifeguard about current conditions before going in. Officials said they will reassess the alert as more information becomes available.
