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The Maui News
Numerous shark sightings have temporarily closed the Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve, according to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.
The closure has been in effect since around noon March 28, department spokesperson Deborah Ward said Wednesday. Signs were posted, and visitors were advised of the sightings, which included some tiger sharks.
Carl Meyer of the University of Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology told the department that tiger sharks may be following pupping black tip reef sharks inside the breakers, department spokesman Dan Dennison said.
Seven black tip reef sharks were spotted frequenting the shallow waters Tuesday, though no tiger sharks were spotted, he said. The waters around the reserve remained closed as of Wednesday. No decision has been made as to when the reserve would reopen, Dennison said.
Maui Electric Co. also has partially closed the road leading to the reserve to upgrade power lines.
Work is expected to finish today. The project requires partial road closures from about 6700 Makena Road before the Big Beach third entrance to 8299 Makena Road before La Perouse Bay.