5/6/26 – UPDATE ON INVESTIGATION INTO ROCK THROWN AT MONK SEAL AND BREACHES OF SEAL RESTING AREAS

UPDATE ON INVESTIGATION INTO ROCK THROWN AT MONK SEAL AND BREACHES OF SEAL RESTING AREAS 

Hawaiian monk seal Kaiwi (RK96) and her new child pup on Kaimana Beach, May 4, 2026.

HONOLULU – The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is investigating social media postings on Instagram that seem to point out an grownup male throwing an object towards a monk seal whereas it was swimming within the water off the Lahaina shoreline.

Yesterday, the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement’s (DOCARE) Maui Branch was notified of a case of monk seal harassment by Maui Police Department Dispatch. A DOCARE officer obtained the decision and responded to the scene. While enroute, the officer was in a position to contact the reporting celebration and procure an outline of the alleged suspect. When the officer arrived on the scene, the officer contacted a 37-year-old grownup male from Seattle, Washington, who matched the outline of the suspect. The male was detained, recognized and suggested of his authorized rights. The male declined to make a press release and invoked his authorized rights by requesting counsel of an lawyer.

In accordance with the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), which gives protections for Hawaiian monk seals, DOCARE will likely be turning over the state investigation of this incident to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of Law Enforcement (NOAA-OLE) for additional evaluate and motion.

At this time, the alleged suspect has not been criminally charged, so DOCARE won’t be releasing any info on his id.

On Oʻahu, there have been a number of studies of members of the general public breaching the momentary fence at Kaimana Beach that marks the resting space for Kaiwi (RK96), a 15-year-old feminine monk seal, and her pup. Kaiwi gave start on the seaside May 3.

“This is a very crucial time in the life of this pup, so for these people to be breaching the area and getting close is not a good idea at all,” stated DOCARE Chief Jason Redulla.

“If the mother seal perceives any human or pet to be a threat, she may attack. This is what happened during a 2022 encounter between a swimmer and mother seal at Kaimana Beach. The swimmer suffered lacerations to her face, back and arm,” Chief Redulla cautions.

“From past monk-seal-related incidents, we know that some of the NOAA fines have been substantial, totaling several thousand dollars,” added Chief Redulla.

“To keep people and pets safe, and to protect our endangered marine life, we ask the public’s help by showing respect for these animals and following all guidelines for safe viewing.”

You Can Help

•  Keep canines on a leash and effectively away from seals
•  Use an alternate seaside in the course of the nursing interval
•  Stay at the least 150 ft away – half the size of a soccer discipline – from moms with pups
•  Stay at the least 50 ft away from all monk seals
•  Remain behind any posted indicators, cones, or boundaries
•  Avoid swimming close to a mom and pup
•  Use a digicam zoom or binoculars as a substitute of approaching

Hawaiian monk seals are protected beneath the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) and MMPA, in addition to state legislation. It is prohibited to disturb, harass, feed, or in any other case hurt a monk seal. Violations might end in fines or legal penalties.

If you witness a possible marine animal ESA or MMPA violation in Hawaiʻi, the best way you can help is to report the incident instantly, and in as a lot element as potential, to NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement at 800-853-1964.

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RESOURCES
(All photographs/video courtesy: DLNR)

DOCARE Chief Jason Redulla: Monk Seals Oʻahu & Maui Update, May 6, 2026

NOAA Frequent Questions: Hawaiian Monk Seal Mothers and Pups internet web page:

Photographs and movies – Hawaiian monk seal Kaiwi (RK96) and her pup, May 04, 2026:

Media Contact:
Andrew Laurence
Communications Director
State of Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources
Phone: 808-587-0396
E-mail: [email protected]