At about 12:55 p.m., James Kerrigan, a 28-year-old male from Kailua-Kona, was swimming with his fiancé in waters about 12 feet of water 100 yards offshore of Mahaiula Beach when he was bit by a 12' to 14' tiger shark. Kerrigan mentioned that never saw the shark coming. A dispatched helicopter found the animal involved in the incident and confirmed its size. Kerrigan's wound entailed his right thigh and calf. He will make a full recovery.

It is not unusual that large tiger sharks swim close to beaches and shore areas (not just around Hawaii), to mainly look for turtles and similar foods. Such bites are mostly superficial should the victim not try to fight back.