Increase in shark bites in Hawaii a coincidence, shark expert says

POHOIKI, Hawaii, Aug. 20 (UPI) -- Although Hawaii has experienced four shark attacks in the past three weeks, the incidents should be considered coincidences, a shark expert said.

The most recent attack occurred Sunday off Isaac Hale Beach Park in Pohoiki, KITV-TV, Honolulu, reported.

"Scientifically we can't say there's anything connected here," said Kim Holland, who is part of a team that has tagged and tracked hundreds of sharks in Hawaiian waters. "It really could be just unfortunate coincidence, but coincidence nonetheless."

Holland said the bites likely came from tiger sharks, and that there is almost no chance the same shark is the cause of the attacks.