Sometimes it feels like nothing can unite a divided America anymore. Then some rich a-hole throws a rock at an endangered seal and everyone suddenly realizes they have one thing in common: they absolutely despise this one particular guy.
On Tuesday, a 37-year-old Seattle tourist was walking along the beach in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii when he spotted an endangered monk seal – one of only around 1,600 left in the world – peacefully swimming past.
A 37-year-old Seattle man allegedly threw a rock at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal in Maui and when confronted allegedly said “I don’t care, I’m rich. Fine me with whatever you want. I can pay for it.” He was detained and the case has been referred to federal investigators pic.twitter.com/JOyqe36Eep
— SEATTLESUBMISSIONS (@SEATTLESUBMISS) May 7, 2026
For reasons that can only be known to his twisted mind, he grabbed a large rock and threw it at the seal, missing her by inches. Onlookers were audibly stunned, and you can hear gasps as the man launches his rock. A woman yells out:
“What are you doing?! Why would you throw a rock at it?! Hello?! You f–kin haole! He just threw a rock!”
When confronted, the man replied, “I don’t care, I’m rich. Fine me with whatever you want. I can pay for it.” Angry Hawaiians then pursued the man to his hotel room, with some physically beating him.
“Lani is not just a seal to us”
The man’s cruelty has sparked outrage not only in Maui but across the world, particularly as this particular monk seal – known as Lani – is a beloved local celebrity. Maui Mayor Richard Bissen was clearly furious, vowing that this tourist will be prosecuted:
Bissen underlined that the entire community is shocked and that “Lani is not just a seal to us. She is part of our ocean ‘ohana in Lahaina. Many of our residents know her, watch over her, and care deeply about her well-being. In fact, members of my team in Lahaina have been tracking and looking out for her for some time now.”
He emphasized that Hawaiians have a connection to the ocean, the land, and the islands’ wildlife, and that protecting animals is part of who they are. He also vowed that this tourist will face the full weight of the law:
“Let me be clear. This is not the kind of visitor we welcome on Maui. We welcome respectful visitors who understand that our culture, environment, and wildlife must be treated with care and aloha. Behavior like this will not be tolerated. I assure you that I will see to it personally that this individual is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Whether at the county, state or federal level there must be serious consequences for anyone who harms or threatens protected wildlife. Lani, we have your back.”
The still-officially-unnamed tourist (who has already been widely identified on social media) was detained and questioned by authorities, but released after invoking his right to counsel and refusing to answer questions.
The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources hasnow transferred the case to federal prosecutors under NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement to explore charges under federal wildlife protection laws.
Here’s hoping this won’t be a simple fine that this guy can shrug off and walk away from. A stint behind bars? We can only hope so.
Published: May 9, 2026 03:28 am