A Hawaiian woman visited a friend’s beach-side home and saw two white tourists looking at a monk seal. She couldn’t believe what he did to the endangered sea animal and quickly called the authorities.
TikToker Jeni (@connectthedotswithjeni) reshared the video originally posted by HHHNewz. A Hawaiian woman sent the video to the news outlet after capturing the incident. The TikTok amassed over 8.6 million views.
The video shows the man and woman standing “way too close” to the monk seal, which was swimming just a few feet from the Lahaina, Maui, shore.
The man picks up a large rock and chucks it at the seal’s head. The seal jumps back, narrowly missing the rock, and appears startled.
“Why would you throw a rock at it? Hello?” the woman who took the original video yells at the tourist. On-screen text continues that the tourists ignored her and started to walk away.
It reads, “When we told him the seal could be hurt and the fine can be up to $50,000 he responded with ‘I don’t care, I’m rich, I love Maui, and I visit here every few months.”
The seal laid in the same spot as the attack for two hours after the incident, prompting Jeni to call a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) biologist to check on her. She later found out the monk seal’s name, Lani. The man luckily did not injure the seal.
Will Hawaii Fine Tourist For Attacking Monk Seal?
Hawaiian monk seals are one of the most endangered seal species across the entire globe, with around 1,600 living members, according to NOAA. Hawaii has strict rules against interacting with or harming the endangered animals.
According to Hawaii Public Radio, it’s actually a felony to “touch or harass” a monk seal. This can result in a hefty $50,000 fine and even prison time. NOAA may also issue fines against those who touch monk seals.
At the end of the viral TikTok, Jeni shows the man sitting next to a police officer after she reported the incident.
On-screen text reads, “Officials have confirmed the man will be federally prosecuted and that this is some of the most incriminating footage they’ve ever received.”
Maui Mayor Rick Bissen later made a statement vowing to “prosecute the individual to the fullest extent of the law.”
Another Hawaii resident reportedly took matters into his own hands as well, with videos circulating of him allegedly punching the tourist.
Viewers React To The Incident
In the comments of the viral TikTok, viewers praised the Hawaiian woman who caught the tourist harassing the monk seal for reporting it to the authorities.
“The Hawaiian monk sea is my favorite animal, that poor baby!!!!! Thank you for calling the cops!!!!” one wrote.
Another said, “I’m so glad the cops showed up quickly and got him. Thank you for your quick reaction!”
“Way to go!! This is so satisfying to see, you were in the perfect place at the perfect time AND you reported it. Bravo,” a third added.
@connectthedotswithjeni ABSOLUTELY NOT. 😡🤬 FYI: This is a crime. Lani the Monk Seal is an Endangered Species. ✅ UPDATE: Lani is okay. See newest post for an update on Lani. Maui Mayor Rick Bissen has vowed to prosecute this man to the fullest extent of the law. ✅ This man caught hands by a local boy. #Lahaina #maui #mauitourists #Pilau
BroBible reached out to HHHNewz via Instagram direct message for further information. We will update the story when they reply.