A tourist from Seattle, Washington, who hurled a large rock at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal on a Maui beach boasted he did not care about the consequences because he is “rich,” shortly before being detained by authorities.
The incident, captured on video by bystander Kaylee Schnitzer, occurred last Tuesday along the Lahaina shoreline. The man is seen lifting a hefty rock from the beach and throwing it toward the seal, which was swimming in the water. The projectile narrowly missed the animal’s head.
In the footage, Schnitzer can be heard shouting, “What are you doing? Why would you throw a rock at it?” She later recounted to KHON 2: “We told him that we called the cops, and he was like, ‘I don’t care. Fine me, I’m rich.’ He said that, and he kept walking.”
Detention and Investigation
The Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement’s Maui Branch dispatched officers to the scene, where they detained the suspect. Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) has not released the man’s identity, as he has not yet been criminally charged. He is described as a 37-year-old male from Seattle.
State officials confirmed the suspect was questioned and later released after requesting legal counsel. The DLNR is investigating the incident and will present its findings to NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement for potential federal action.
Protected Species at Risk
Hawaiian monk seals are among the most endangered marine mammals globally. Harassing, injuring, or killing one violates both state and federal laws, with penalties including fines and criminal charges. The shocking attack sparked widespread online outrage, with Schnitzer’s video going viral.
The seal, named “Lani,” is a beloved figure in the community, having returned to Lahaina after the devastating 2023 wildfires. Maui Mayor Richard Bissen expressed strong condemnation in an Instagram post, noting that his team and locals have “watched over and deeply cared for” Lani since her return.
“Let me be clear, this is not the kind of visitor we welcome on Maui,” Bissen stated. “We welcome respectful visitors that understand that our cultural environment and wildlife must be treated with care and aloha. Behavior like this will not be tolerated.”
Ongoing Investigation
During a news conference on Wednesday, Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement Chief Jason Redulla said authorities have not confirmed whether the seal was struck by the rock. Police have urged the public to avoid interactions with protected species and to report any harmful behavior to authorities.
