Man Charged After Rock Thrown at Hawaiian Seal

A Seattle tourist accused of throwing a large rock at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal says he was trying to protect nearby sea turtles, according to his attorney.

The incident happened May 5 on a beach in Lahaina, Maui, where bystanders filmed 38-year-old Igor Lytvynchuk hurling a coconut-sized rock toward a monk seal known locally as Lani. The video quickly spread online and sparked outrage across Hawaii.

Lytvynchuk’s attorney, Myles Breiner, said his client never intended to hurt the seal. Instead, Breiner claimed Lytvynchuk believed the seal was threatening two Hawaiian green sea turtles, or honu, resting nearby.

“He wanted to scare the seal away from the turtles,” Breiner told local media, adding that one turtle had allegedly already been pushed off a rock before the incident.

The situation escalated after the tourist was confronted by the person recording the video. In footage shared online, Lytvynchuk appeared dismissive of criticism and allegedly responded, “I don’t care. Fine me. I’m rich.”

The comments intensified public anger, and locals later confronted him over the incident. Reports say at least one person physically attacked him afterward.

Federal authorities have charged Lytvynchuk with disturbing or harassing an endangered Hawaiian monk seal, a protected species under federal law. If convicted, he could face up to one year in prison and fines reaching $50,000.

His attorney said Lytvynchuk now acknowledges his actions were a mistake.