Makaha Woman Bitten By Shark

On Sept. 7, 2016, at approximately 2:30pm, a local Makaha woman, Lulu Bagnol (also known as Auntie Lulu), was attacked by a shark. She was swimming at Makaha beach and noticed a tour boat came toward her after swimming for two hours. The tour boats have been known to chum (throw food) to attract sea turtles and dolphins in the area for their tour guests (tour boats are not to anchor out within 200 feet of a swimmer; this is illegal in the state of Hawaii). Lulu had noticed in the past (and complained to Hawaii state agencies and legislators that this is unsafe for swimmers) that tour boats have dropped food for the turtles and Dolphins less than 200 feet from her, despite the state oceanic law. This food has attracted sharks. On that particular day, Lulu felt something large tackled her and noticed her flesh in the reddened waters. She was attacked by a 12-14 foot tiger shark that bit her.  Though she remained calm, she yelled for help while struggling to swim back to shore. A surfer named G-No noticed her and with the help of another surfer named Danny and lifeguards Kaimana and Brandon, they paddled her back to shore on a longboard. She was going in and out of consciousness but with the coordinated efforts of the rescuers they were able to save her life. Lulu has been recovering at a local Honolulu hospital. She sustained muscle (which were severely shredded) and ulnar nerve damage from the bite to her right shoulder and right forearm. Lulu is an altruistic world volunteer, traveling to orphanages across the globe every year on her birthday. But when she’s not traveling, she works as an federal investigator (as an independent contractor). Because of the current condition of her arm, it will be difficult to continue with her job. A GoFundMe account has been established to help with her medical, living and rehabilitation expenses until she is able to regain the use of her right arm. Lulu would like to thank the surfers, lifeguards and paramedics who reacted quickly and saved her life. She would also hope to bring awareness of the illegal chumming from tour boats who are disrespecting local swimmers and surfers. On behalf of the Bagnol Family, I would like to thank you for your support, love, prayers and spiritual energy. - Joy Bagnol-Estudillo (sister)❤️