Shark Attacks and Shark Attack Related Incidents News Articles on Shark Bites

Big Island man honored for saving shark bite victim’s life

A Big Island man was honored Wednesday for his heroic efforts that saved a teenager’s life.

Dallas O’Shaunessy is credited with jumping into action after 16-year-old Jimmy “Ulu Boy” Napeahi was attacked by a shark at Pohoiki Bay last month.

As everyone cleared the beach, O’Shaunessy dove into the water to pull Napeahi back to shore and tied a tourniquet around his leg.

“Dallas has to make a decision at that point. What do you do? Do you run or do you go? Dallas chose to go,” Hawaii County Councilmember Zendo Kern said.

“I’m really thankful for him and his family ’cause they’re such great watermen and great people. And I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for Dallas O’Shaunessy,” Napeahi said.

“Thank everyone. I really appreciate it. I gotta thank my mom ’cause without her I wouldn’t have been there,” O’Shaunessy said.

Napeahi received 180 stitches below the waist. He’s continuing with physical therapy and hopes to get back in the water in a month.

Big Island shark attack victim undergoes second surgery

PAHOA, HAWAII (HawaiiNewsNow) -
A teenager who survived a shark attack while surfing in waters off the Big Island is experiencing complications while in the hospital.

Jimmy "Ulu Boy" Napeahi has been stuck in his hospital bed since August 18 after a shark bit him around his legs and buttocks off Pohoiki Beach in Pahoa.

The 16-year-old ended up getting 980 stitches and was supposed to be released from the Hilo Medical Center over the weekend. Instead, Napeahi's stay was extended when doctors were forced to perform a second surgery after finding an infection in his right thigh.

"All they do is flush it out with saline, which is like salt water, and it helps keep my cut clean and everybody here is so on it with my wounds," said Napeahi. "You know I'm not very religious, but I know that God works in very mysterious ways and has a plan for me."

Napeahi is confident that he will make a full recovery and plans to resume his surfing career as soon as possible.

Source: hawaiinewsnow

16-Year-Old Attacked by Shark at Pohoiki Hawaii

Responding just after 1:30 p.m. today after reports of a shark attack at Pohoiki on the Big Island, emergency responders arrived at the Pohoiki Boat Ramp to find a 16-year-old boy being treated for injuries by life guards.

The boy reported that he was surfing at the “Dead Trees” surf area when he was attacked from behind by a gray colored shark that he estimated to be 8 feet in length.

The shark attack left the boy with multiple lacerations and puncture wounds to his lower body. Medics transported the victim to the Pahoa Fire Station, then by helicopter to the Hilo Medical Center emergency room.

Hawai`i County’s Chopper 1 conducted an aerial search in the area of the attack, but could not find any sign of sharks present.

The Pohoiki incident was the second shark-related event on the Big Island Sunday. Hapuna Beach Park was closed on the afternoon of August 18 after a shark sighting, and was set to remain closed for the rest of the day.

http://bigislandnow.com