A 37-year-old tourist from Seattle, Washington, has been detained by Hawaiian authorities after aviral video capturedhim hurling a large rock at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal and subsequently boasting about his wealth when confronted.
The incident, which occurred off the Lahaina shoreline on Tuesday, 5 May 2026, has ignited widespread fury across the islands as residents and conservationists call for the maximum federal penalty.
The attack wascaptured on cameraby witness Kaylee Schnitzer, who observed the man picking up a rock described as being the size of a coconut. The footage shows the man aiming and throwing the projectile directly at the head of a monk seal, known locally as 'Lani,' while it swam in the shallows. In the video, Schnitzer can be heard shouting, 'What are you doing?' and 'Why would you throw a rock at it?'
A scandal has erupted in the U.S. after a deranged wealthy man threw a rock at a Hawaiian monk seal — one of the rarest marine mammals in the world.The incident happened on the island of Maui and was caught on video. Witnesses tried to stop the man, but he just laughed and said…pic.twitter.com/03gMKrnzZo
When Schnitzer confronted the man and told him that they called law enforcement, he reportedly said, 'I don't care. Fine me, I'm rich.' and kept walking,The Independentreported. This display of indifference has become the focal point of the investigation, highlighting a perceived lack of respect for Hawaii's delicate ecosystem.
Following a report from the Maui Police Department, officers from the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) arrived at the scene. The suspect, whose identity is being withheld pending formal criminal charges, was detained and informed of his legal rights.
According to a report byKOMO News, the man declined to make a statement to the authorities and immediately requested an attorney. The state investigation has since been handed over to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of Law Enforcement.
'From past monk-seal-related incidents, we know that some of the NOAA fines have been substantial,' said DOCARE Chief Jason Redulla. He emphasised that the department would pursue the matter to the fullest extent of the law to protect the islands' native wildlife. Under the federal Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the suspect could face significant fines and up to one year in a federal penitentiary.
The Hawaiian monk seal remains one of the rarest marine mammals on Earth, with a total population of approximately 1,600 individuals remaining.
Amongst this fragile population, the seal named 'Lani' whose condition following the attack has yet to be determined. She is especially beloved by residents after becoming a symbol of local resilience for returning to the Lahaina shoreline in the aftermath of the devastating 2023 wildfires.
Source: International Business Times UK
