Hawaii 24/7 Staff

Laaloa Beach Park, also known as White Sands, was closed Thursday after a shark sighting.

A county helicopter flight over the beach confirmed a shark was i the area.

Police reported the beach closure at 1:47 p.m. and were awaiting confirmation that the 10-foot shark had left before re-opening the beach.

The beach reopened later Thursday afternoon.

It is at least the third report of a shark trolling the waters off West Hawaii in recent weeks. Several divers reported seeing what they believe was a tiger shark near the Honokohau Harbor entrance.

Also, on June 18, a shark attack sent a 28-year-old Kona man to the hospital and closed Kekaha Kai State Park.

The man was swimming off Mahaiula Beach when he was bitten on the leg. Emergency crews transported him via helicopter to Kona Community Hospital.

He is expected to make a complete recovery.