Kahaluu, Laaloa beach parks reopen following shark encounter

Laaloa and Kahaluu beach parks reopened around noon today after both West Hawaii beaches were closed Tuesday following an encounter with a shark.

An aerial observation conducted via Hawaii County helicopter turned up no sign of a shark, according to Hawaii County Civil Defense.

The beaches were closed about 1 p.m. Tuesday after a man reported a 9-foot shark bit his paddleboard about a quarter mile offshore of Laaloa Beach Park, also known as Magic Sands.

Related story: Board-biting shark closes Kailua-Kona beaches