MAUI, Hawaii (KHNL/Gray News) – A Maui couple came face-to-face with one of nature’s strongest predators in the waters last weekend.
Cheslei Akima and Alika Dickerson say they were paddling in the waters off Olowalu when the calm, serene afternoon turned frightening.
They were more than a mile offshore when the encounter happened.
Cheslei Akima and Alika Dickerson were paddling in waters off Olowalu when a tiger shark bit their kayak and refused to let go.(Cheslei Akima)
“All of a sudden, like 10 feet in front of the kayak, a fin sticks up, and I’m thinking to myself, ‘What is that?’ And then it started coming at us,” Akima said.
According to the couple, it was a tiger shark that was larger than their 12-foot kayak.
“The shark then, like latches on to the side of the kayak, and he’s just shaking us, and he wouldn’t let go,” Akima said.
Dickerson says he sprang into action and threw punches at the shark, but the first two strikes did not have an effect until the third.
“On the third time, it finally just let go. It sank a little bit and just splashed us with its tail, swimming away, and then I was just in shock,” Dickerson said.
The couple says they immediately headed back to shore, unsure if their Kayak was taking on water. The bite marks left on the kayak were proof of their terrifying encounter.
“It was just so crazy,” Akima said.
They have encountered sharks in that same area before, but nowhere near this aggressive.
And there might be some science behind it, worth warning others.
University of Hawaii Marine Biologists tracked shark behavior around Hawaii for years and have found that Olowalu is actually a mating hub for tiger sharks. The timing of their mating activities also overlaps with humpback season, indicating sharks are also feeding there.
Akima and Dickerson encourage others who venture into Olowalu waters to be prepared. They also say the experience isn’t stopping them from jumping back in the water.
“Gotta get back,” the couple shared. “We’re actually determined to go back this weekend.”
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