Shark attacks are a rarity, despite sharks' fearsome reputation. A 2009 attack on a swimmer in Hawaii by a small cookiecutter shark is the first documented by that species.

In 2024, there were 47 "unprovoked" shark bites around the globe, and 28 of those happened in the U.S., according to the Florida Museum of Natural History’s International Shark Attack File (ISAF).

Maui has recorded the highest number of shark attacks in Hawaii. Tiger sharks, known for their aggressive nature, are common in the waters surrounding the island.

Unprovoked shark bites declined globally in 2024, according to the International Shark Attack File. The United States led with the most shark bites at 28, with Florida accounting for half of those.