Maui Mayor Pledges Legal Action Against Visitor for Alleged Attack on Hawaiian Monk Seal
Maui Mayor Richard Bissen has announced his intention to prosecute a Seattle man accused of throwing a rock at a Hawaiian monk seal. The incident occurred along Front Street in Lahaina, where witnesses reported that the man, part of a couple, repeatedly approached the resting seal despite warnings to keep a distance. According to Maui resident Kaylee Schnitze, the man picked up a rock the size of a coconut and aimed it at the seal's head. The seal, identified as Lani, has been a well-known presence on the shores of West Maui for over two decades. The state of Hawaii has laws prohibiting the disturbance or harm of monk seals, which are protected under the federal Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is investigating the incident, and the case has been referred to federal authorities for further action. 
