DLNR investigates rock thrown at Hawaiian Monk Seals near Lahaina
DLNR is investigating Instagram postings that appear to show an adult male throwing an object toward hawaiian monk seals while one was swimming off the Lahaina shoreline. A DOCARE officer responded after Maui Police Department Dispatch notified the Maui Branch of a monk seal harassment case on May 5, 2026.
The inquiry now moves to NOAA-OLE for further review and possible action under the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act. No criminal charges have been filed against the 37-year-old adult male from Seattle, Washington, who matched the suspect description, was detained and identified, and declined to make a statement while requesting counsel.
Jason Redulla on Kaimana Beach
DLNR’s May 6 update also reported several breaches of the temporary fence at Kaimana Beach, where Kaiwi, a 15-year-old female monk seal, and her pup are resting. Kaiwi gave birth there on May 3, and the fence marks the area around her and the newborn.
Jason Redulla, the DOCARE chief, said the first days of the pup’s life are critical. “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,” he said.
NOAA-OLE and federal penalties
Redulla also warned that a mother seal may attack if she sees a human or pet as a threat. He said that happened during a 2022 encounter at Kaimana Beach, when a swimmer suffered lacerations to her face, back and arm.
He added that past monk-seal-related fines from NOAA have totaled several thousand dollars. The state says hawaiian monk seals are protected under the federal Endangered Species Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act and state law, and that it is illegal to disturb, harass, feed or otherwise harm a seal.
People who witness a possible ESA or MMPA violation in Hawaiʻi are told to report it immediately to NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement at 800-853-1964. Redulla said the public should keep its distance, because the same rules that protect the seals also reduce the risk of penalties and injuries.
