Update: Reef shark bites Big Island man who attempted to free animal entangled in rope, fishing gear

Editor’s note: This story has been updated with the latest information from Hawai‘i Island police released at 1:51 p.m. on Dec. 10, 2025.

A man bitten by a shark on Tuesday was attempting to free the animal after it got entangled in rope and fishing gear approximately 30 to 40 yards of shore in Ka‘ū.

According to a press release from Hawai‘i Island police, authorities received a report just before 4:30 p.m. that a 24-year-old Hōlualoa man was bit by a blacktip reef shark in waters off Ka‘alu‘alu Beach.

Upon arrival, officers learned the man had been diving with two companions when they observed a blacktip reef shark entangled in the marine debris.

“As the group attempted to free the shark, the animal began thrashing and bit the man on the inner and outer areas of his left thigh,” police stated in a news release Wednesday.

Hawai‘i Fire Department medics treated the victim at the scene. He was reported to be in stable condition and was transported by helicopter from Wai‘ōhinu Park to Kona Community Hospital for further treatment.

The Hawai‘i Police Department reminds the public not to attempt to free or handle entangled marine animals. Learn about state and federal marine wildlife response in Hawaiʻi at the NOAA website: What You Can Do to Help Marine Life in Distress | NOAA Fisheries.

This incident comes after a Kaua‘i lifeguard was bit by a shark in November on the island’s North Shore. He is now recovering.