Federal Investigation Launched After Tourist Allegedly Throws Rock at Endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal
A federal investigation is underway following an incident where a tourist allegedly threw a rock at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal off the coast of Maui. The event, captured on video, has sparked significant outrage online and across Hawaii. The video shows a man, identified by social media users as 'Igor,' throwing a rock at a well-known seal named Lani near Front Street in Lahaina. The man, reportedly from Seattle, Washington, was detained by authorities but has not yet been charged. The case is being reviewed under federal marine mammal protection laws, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) involved in the investigation. The incident has drawn widespread condemnation, including from Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen, who emphasized the importance of respecting Hawaii's wildlife. 
