There are about 40 species of sharks that are in the Hawaiian Waters through out the Hawaiian Islands. They range in size of 8 inches (Pygmy Shark) to the Whale Shark of up to 50 feet or more.....There are about 8 species that are commonly seen near shore, they are Reef Blacktip Shark, Sandbar Shark,Gray Reef Shark, Galapagos Shark, Tiger Shark, Blacktip Shark, Scalloped Hammerhead Shark, and Reef Whitetip Shark. The most frequently encountered are the Sandbar, Reef Whitetip, Scalloped Hammerhead, and occasionally Tiger.
Sharks have extremely well-developed sensory capabilities. They can detect smells and sound from prey at great distances which is up to 2 miles or more depending on the water conditions. Their eye sight is good, but really depends on the water clarity.
These in shore sharks are top-level carnivores, feeding primarily on fishes. Their function in reef ecosystems is not fully understood, but they are believed to improve fish populations by removing sick and injured fish, leaving the healthiest to reproduce.
As sharks approach their pray, they can detect the faint electical fields given off by all living organisms.
Using these senses, sharks can find prey at dusk, night and dawn, which is when inshore species are generally believed to feed.
Sharks are very well aware of their environment, and are very curious by nature. They are aware that people are in the water before people are aware of them. Encounters between sharks and people are infrequent, and most inshore species pose little threat to humans.
While any shark may be potentially dangerous, only a few species of Hawaiian Sharks are known to attack people. They include the Tiger , Galapagos, Gray Reef and Scalloped Hammerhead. They appear to atttack only when provoked. The tiger and galapagos are more aggressive.
A Tiger Shark is easily recognized by its blunt snout and the vertical bars on its sides. A Galapagos Shark is harder to identify: however, nay large (over 6 feet) gray shark with no conspicuous markings seen in inshore waters is probably a Galapagos.
Tigers are considered the most dangerous sharks in Hawaiian Waters. (Great White Sharks, which are also very dangerous, are rarely seen in Hawaii.) Because of their size and feeding habits, they occupy the very top niche inshore food chains. Tigers seem to come into inshore waters in fall, and stay through spring. They appear to move offshore somewhat in summer, but this remains to be confirmed. Like other inshore species, tigers seem to feed mostly during night and twilight hours.
Tigers are often attracted to stream mouths after heavy rains, when upland fishes and other animals are swept out to sea. They can easily locate prey in such murky waters. Tigers are also attracted to waters frequented by fishing boats, which often trail fish remains and blood.
Of all the inshore species, Tigers have the most widely varied diet. They eat fish, lobsters, birds, turtles, dead animals, even garbage. It's not known how long Tigers can go without eating, but they do seem to feed whenever a food source is present.
It's also not known why Tigers sometimes attack humans. A tiger may mistake a person for a prey item, it may come across a person while in a feeding "mode", it may be trying to see if the person is prey,or perhaps there is some other explanation.
Divers who may encounter sharks often carry a shark billy or a bang stick. A billy is a club used to fend off a shark by hitting it on the snout. A bang stick is a rod with an explosive charge at the tip, used to kill an aggressive shark. Bang sticks are effective, but very dangerous. In addition, the resulting blood may attract other sharks.
Shark attacks in Hawaiian Waters are very rare, occurring on average at a rate of about 2 or 3 per year. Surfers and spearfishers appear to be the most at risk. Fatal attacks are extremely rare, especially considering the number of people in Hawaii's Waters.
People who enter the water need to recognize that there are hidden dangers, and sharks are just one of them. By learning more about sharks, and using common sense, the risk of injury can be greatly reduced.
10 Safety Tips to Reduce the Risk of Shark Attacks
1. Swim, Surf or dive with other people, and dont move too far away from assistance.
2. Stay out of the water at dawn, dusk and night when some species of sharks move inshore to feed.
3. Do not enter the water if you have open wounds or are bleeding in anyway. Sharks can detect blood and body fluids in very small concentrations.
4. Avoid murky waters, harbor entrances, and areas near stream mouths (especially after heavy rains), channels, or steep dropoffs. these types of waters are known to be frequented by sharks.
5. Do not wear high contrast clothing or shiny jewelry. Sharks see contrast very well.
6. Refrain from excessive splashing ; keep pets, which swim erratically, out of the water. Sharks are known to be attracted to such activity.
7. Do not enter the water if sharks are known to be present, and leave the water quickly and calmly if one is sighted. Do not provoke or harass a shark, even a small one.
8. Be alert to the activity of fish or turtles. If they start to behave erratically, leave the water. A shark may be present.
9. Remove speared fish from the water or tow them a safe distance behind you. Do not swim near people fishing or spearfishing. Stay away from dead animals in the water.
10. Swim or surf at beaches patrolled by lifeguards, and follow their advice.
ALL ABOUT SHARKS 
