Man Throws Rock at Endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal in Maui, Claims He Was Protecting Turtles

On May 5, 2026, Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk was filmed on Lahaina’s shoreline throwing a rock at a Hawaiian monk seal named Lani. The rock missed the seal’s nose, startling it. Lytvynchuk’s lawyer says he aimed to scare the seal away from two sea turtles on the rocks.

Newsweek

Hawaiian monk seals are critically endangered, with roughly 1,600 individuals. They are protected by the Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, and Hawaii state law, which forbid harassment.

Newsweek

• Igor Lytvynchuk – IL Logistics president, Ukrainian-born U.S. citizen.

Newsweek

• Myles Breiner – Lytvynchuk’s attorney.

Newsweek

• Lani – the monk seal.

Newsweek

• Richard Bissen – Maui County Mayor.

Newsweek

• Ken Sorenson – U.S. Attorney, Hawaii.

Newsweek

• NOAA – federal agency handling the case.

Newsweek

• May 5, 2026 – Rock-throwing incident recorded.

Newsweek

• May 27, 2026 – First federal court appearance in Honolulu.

Newsweek

• Afterward – Lytvynchuk was assaulted; no charges filed.

Newsweek

The complaint charges Lytvynchuk with two counts of harassing an endangered seal. Penalties may include up to one year in prison, supervised release, and fines up to $50,000 under the ESA and $20,000 under the MMPA.

Newsweek

Mayor Bissen emphasized Lani’s cultural importance and warned that such behavior would not be tolerated. U.S. Attorney Sorenson reaffirmed a federal commitment to protect wildlife and promised rapid accountability. NOAA assumed the investigation after local police referral. Lytvynchuk’s lawyer noted his client was unaware of the seal’s protected status, citing past aggressive sea-lion encounters, and said he surrendered his passport and is considering wildlife-protection donations.

Newsweek

Local and federal officials condemned the act as harassment of a protected species. The mayor framed the incident as contrary to visitor expectations. Federal prosecutors emphasized legal obligations under the ESA and MMPA.

Newsweek

Lytvynchuk’s defense says he acted to protect turtles; authorities view it as seal harassment. The exact number of turtles and a detailed event timeline are not documented.

Newsweek

The case tests wildlife-protection enforcement in a tourism hotspot and reflects Hawaiian cultural reverence for monk seals. Outcomes may shape visitor conduct and reinforce federal endangered-species safeguards.

Newsweek

• “I want to be resoundingly clear to the public — he never intended to injure the monk seal,” — Myles Breiner, Attorney

Newsweek

• “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.” — Richard Bissen, Maui County Mayor

Newsweek

• “We pledge that those who harass and attempt to harm our protected wildlife will face rapid accountability in federal court.” — Ken Sorenson, U.S. Attorney

Newsweek

• “Like many in our community, I was shocked by what happened,” — Richard Bissen, Maui County Mayor

Newsweek

Lytvynchuk will appear in Honolulu court on May 27. The judge will decide any prison term, fines, and possible restitution such as wildlife-conservation donations.

Newsweek