Surfer Loses Leg in Hawaii Shark Attack After 'Extraordinary' Feat of Making It to Shore After Incident

A 61-year-old man in Hawaii is recovering after he was bitten by a shark while surfing.

On Friday, Nov. 1, Maui police and fire officials announced in a press release that a man was bitten on the leg while surfing at the "Sand Piles" on Waiehu Beach Park.

First responders were called to the location around 7:00 a.m. local time, and police immediately used a tourniquet to stop the bleeding. However, EMTs later confirmed that the man's leg had been completely severed "just below the knee."

Maui Department of Fire and Public Safety (MFD) Assistant Chief Jeff Giesea said in the press release that the victim was conscious while being treated on land. He was later taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center in critical condition.

A GoFundMe page established by the man's friends and family identified him only as Kenji.

"I would like to commend the patient for his strength and wherewithal, getting himself to shore. I mean, that’s extraordinary. Whatever Good Samaritans offered assistance, I’d like to commend them as well," Giesea told local outlet Hawaii News Now.

According to the GoFundMe page — which has a $100,000 goal to cover medical and other expenses — Kenji has been an avid surfer on the island for over 30 years and is known as a regular at many of its beaches.

"If you’ve ever been out there with him, you’ve likely gotten to experience his incredible froth and yee-haws as he’s cruising down the waves with the biggest smile on his face," the GoFundPage page says of the man.

The fundraiser's organizers wrote that Kenji had been surfing with friends the morning of the attack, and they helped to pull him to shore.

"In true Kenji style, immediately out of surgery, he sagely said, 'I still love the ocean!' and we want to support him in getting back to what he loves," the page states.

Organizers also shared an update on Saturday, writing that Kenji was out of the ICU.

"This accident hasn’t lessened his stoke one bit, but he still has a long journey of healing ahead of him so please continue to spread the word and a huge thank you to those who have donated," they said. "Kenji is staying positive and strong for his recovery, and in his own wise words, he says 'tomorrow mo’ betta!' "

Giesea said that MFD protocol required people to stay out of the water within the one-mile radius of the attack for the first 24 hours after. Maui Fire Department personnel have also been patrolling the water by boat and drone for shark activity.

According to the state's Department of Land and Natural Resources, over 40 species of sharks frequent its waters, and 8 of those are spotted near the coasts, including the whitetip reef, sandbar, scalloped hammerhead and tiger sharks.

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Although Maui officials have not indicated what kind of shark bit Kenji, the department said that tiger sharks are considered the most dangerous sharks in Hawaiian waters.

However, shark bites remain extremely rare overall. The International Shark Attack File, run by the Florida Museum of Natural History, reported 36 bites in the U.S. last year, including eight in Hawai'i and one fatal bite.