Maui surfer determined to get back into water after shark bites off his leg

WAILUKU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Kenji Nonaka, 61, is looking at life a little differently these days.
Just over a week ago, he was doing what he loves, surfing dawn patrol with his friends at a spot known as “Sandpiles” at Waiehu Beach Park.
“I’m sitting on my surfboard, waiting for a wave and suddenly, a shark bites me, then shakes me. Maybe 20 to 30 seconds later, my leg gone! I’m screaming,” Kenji said.
“It was a big, a different yell,” said Kenji’s friend Gary Miyamoto, who was surfing with him at the time. “Then I see him, you know, splashing around. All of a sudden, I see the water turn red.”
Kenji was able to catch a wave back to shore.
Then Gary, along with their other friends, used a surfboard leash to tie a tourniquet around Kenji’s leg to stop the bleeding.
“That’s the only thing we had,” Gary said. “It’s just instinct.”
“That’s why I’m still alive,” Kenji said. “I’m lucky. I’m so grateful because my friends, they helped me.”
Kenji lost most of his right leg from the knee down. He is now working hard to get better. Video shows him walking just three days after the incident.
Ten days later, he is doing dips on his walker. He says he cannot wait to be back on his surfboard.
“Tomorrow!” Kenji said jokingly. “That’s a joke. But hopefully couple more months.”
Kenji’s friends made a GoFundMe page for him to help with his recovery so he can get back in the lineup soon. He is almost to his goal. He and his loved ones are grateful.
“I’m so thankful to everybody, everyone, his friends and all of the support, thinking of him, all of the people, oh my gosh, thank you,” said Kenji’s wife, Tomoko.
“My wife cry, I cry. I’m grateful. Thank you,” said Kenji.
If you would like to support Kenji, click here.
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