Dead baby whale found near Maui beach, Hawaii

© Maui County ocean safety division

Maui County Ocean Safety officials are warning beachgoers Tuesday about sharks feeding on a whale carcass off Kite Beach near the Kahului airport in Kanaha.

The carcass of a baby whale near Kanaha Beach Park on Maui was towed offshore, but the waters will remain closed after several large sharks were spotted in the area.

Maui ocean safety officials closed the beach and warned the public about the decomposing whale after a 10-foot-long tiger shark was seen feeding on the carcass Tuesday morning. The 10-foot-long whale had been about 100 yards offshore of Kaa Point, which is also known as Kite Beach near Kahului Airport.

Around noon, state Department of Land and Natural Resources enforcement officers and lifeguards patrolled the shoreline while an aerial survey by helicopter was conducted to look for sharks in the area .

According to county officials, several large sharks could be seen, prompting Ocean Safety officials to keep the waters 1 mile either side of Kaa Point closed until an assessment of the waters by air can be made Wednesday morning.

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