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Posted: Friday, October 19th, 2012 8:58 AM HST

Beaches closed after shark bites paddle board

By Associated Press

WAILUKU, Hawaii (AP) — Beaches around Kanaha Beach Park were closed after a shark took a big bite out of a paddle board. Fifty-five-year-old David Peterson of Pakalani was not injured Thursday. The Maui News says Peterson was on his board just off Kaa Point when he got knocked off the board and landed on the back of the shark. He says he hit the shark with his paddle and the animal let go of his board. Peterson says he pushed the shark away and jumped back on his damaged board. He escaped with just a few scrapes from getting back on the board.