The city’s Emergency Services Department announced his death at a press conference, where the somber atmosphere was interspersed with praise for the famous and beloved local.
Tamayo Perry died on Sunday in the attack near Goat Island, according to Shayne Enright of the Honolulu ESD. Perry was 49 years old.
Just before 1 p.m. local time on Sunday, Honolulu Ocean Safety responded to emergency calls about a surfer being attacked near Mālaekahana Beach on Oahu’s North Shore.
Enright said at the press conference that responders on jet skis arrived at the scene but were unable to assist Perry. They returned to shore with Perry’s body, and he was pronounced dead by emergency medical technicians.
Perry’s body showed signs of multiple shark bites, with a leg and an arm missing, according to Surfer Today.
“This is [an] extremely difficult time for all of us. I ask for your kindness and your patience as we all just try to get through this next hour into these next weeks and months,” Enright said.
Local officials had kind words to say about Perry, considered a local legend. Honolulu Ocean Safety Acting Chief Kurt Lager said Perry was “a lifeguard loved by all who was well known on the North Shore. He’s a professional surfer known worldwide.”
“Tamayo’s personality was infectious and as much as people loved him, he loved everyone else more,” Lager added. He then echoed the request for privacy for Perry’s family.
Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi also spoke about Perry’s life and death at the press conference.
“It’s just a tragic loss. Tamayo was a legendary water man and highly respected. He grew up right over here, and was just a great member of our Ocean Safety Team. So you get a call like this on a Sunday afternoon, it’s just really hard to imagine,” the mayor added.
