Mariko Haugen, Maui shark attack victim in Makena Landing Beach Park, used Tae Kwan Do to escape

By Associated Press, WPTV Web Team

WAILUKU, Hawaii -- A 51-year-old woman from California was attacked over the weekend by a shark off Makena Landing Beach Park on Maui.

Fire Services Chief Lee Mainaga said Mariko Haugen suffered puncture wounds to her right inner thigh and lacerations to the front and back of her right hand from pushing the shark away.

She was taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center in stable condition.

Beaches were closed one mile to the north and one mile to the south of where Haugen was attacked while ocean safety officials evaluated the situation.

"My Tae Kwan Do prepared me to learn how to punch," Haugen told WFMY News 2. "I punched it twice. I punched it this way, and that one contacted. But this [punch] kind of hit the side and slid into the mouth."