Maui surfer recovering after shark attack, thanks ‘hero’ for watching over him
WAILUKU (KHON2) — A 61-year-old Maui surfer was released from the hospital on Friday, just one week after losing his leg in a shark attack in Waiehu.
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Kenji Nonaka said he’s felt uneasy about sharks ever since his hero died after being attacked on Oahu earlier this year, but said this won’t keep him out of the water forever.
Nonaka loves surfing, he loves it so much he decided to move to Hawaii back in the 80s. He said he started on Oahu but it was a little too crowded, so he flew to the Valley Isle and fell in love with Maui. He’s called Wailuku home for 34-years.
He said he tries to go surfing every morning before going on a morning walk. “I’m happy now,” he said.
Sand Piles in Waiehu is one of his favorite spots to surf.
He said he started feeling nervous about sharks in the water after one bit a board at Sand Piles a few months ago.
“At the time I was scared,” Nonaka said. “After that, I put the protection on my leg.”
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He said he started wearing a shark band on his ankle that uses magnetic technology to deter sharks, but while on dawn patrol at his favorite spot on Nov. 1, and with about seven people in the water, a shark bit Kenji’s left leg.
“I was screaming, and a couple friends came to me and they said, ‘Kenji! Catch a wave.’”
After a few attempts, he finally caught one that brought him closer to shore.
“My friend pushed me, I paddled, I kicked, paddle, paddle and then got to the beach, and a couple of friends carried me and some homeless people too helped me,” he remembered.
He said they moved him to a concrete area so his leg wouldn’t get infected in the sand, trees, and dirt. His doctor told him he was able to keep his knee because his leg was clean.
He thanks his friends who showed no fear helping him knowing there was a shark in the water.
“They don’t care and they came to me and gave me power and aloha and I am happy that’s why I’m still alive,” he said.
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Nonaka said he also believes someone was watching over him.
“So many shark attacks lately, on Oahu, Tamayo Perry, my hero, he passed away, and it was so sad. I pray every day, but maybe this time he helped me, I pretty sure,” he said.
Honolulu Ocean Safety lifeguard and waterman Tamayo Perry died in June 2024, after he was attacked by a shark while surfing at his favorite spot near Oahu’s North Shore.
Nonaka said he’s looking into a prosthetic leg in the future, and can’t wait to get back out in the water. For now, he’s incredibly thankful for all the love and support from loved ones and strangers.
“They gave me plenty of aloha. I don’t know how to say it, but thank you so much, I appreciate it, I am grateful,” he said while crying.
“I love surfing, I want to go back surfing, as for the the shark it’s their property [the ocean], that’s why we have to share,” he added.
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A GoFundMe has raised nearly $100,000 for medical costs.
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