Hawaii
Tourist accused of hurling rock at endangered Hawaii monk seal’s head is arrested by federal agents
A tourist who drew widespread condemnation in Hawaii after a witness recorded him chucking a coconut-sized rock at “Lani,” a beloved, endangered Hawaiian monk seal off a Maui beach, was arrested Wednesday by federal agents.
Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk, 38, of Covington, Washington, is charged with harassing a protected animal, the U.S. attorney’s office in Honolulu said, adding that National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration special agents arrested him near Seattle. He was scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Seattle on Thursday.
The court docket didn’t list an attorney, and a person who answered the phone at a number associated with Lytvynchuk declined to comment.
A state Department of Land and Natural Resources officer last week investigated a report of Hawaiian monk seal harassment in Lahaina, the community that was largely destroyed by a deadly wildfire in 2023. A witness showed the officer video of the seal swimming in shallow water while a man watched from shore.
“In the cellphone video, the man can be seen holding a large rock with one hand, aiming, and throwing it directly at the monk seal,” prosecutors said in a criminal complaint. The rock narrowly missed the seal’s head, but caused the “animal to abruptly alter its behavior,” the complaint said.
When a witness confronted the man, he said “he did not care and was ‘rich’ enough to pay any fines,” the complaint said.
Maui resident Kaylee Schnitzer, 18, told HawaiiNewsNow she witnessed the incident while taking photos nearby.
“What he was picking up was like a rock the size of a coconut,” Schnitzer said. “It wasn’t no small rock. It was the size of a coconut. And he threw it right, directly aiming towards the monk seal’s head.”
Maui Mayor Richard Bissen said the charges send a clear message that cruelty toward protected wildlife won’t be tolerated. Lani’s return after the wildfires brought a sense of healing and hope during a difficult time, he said.
“Lani is a reminder that humanity and the instinct to protect what is vulnerable are still values people can unite around,” Bissen said in an emailed statement.
The mayor said he called the U.S. attorney in Honolulu to advocate for prosecution.
Lytvynchuk is charged with harassing and attempting to harass an endangered Hawaiian monk seal.
Hawaiian monk seals are a critically endangered species. Only 1,600 remain in the wild.
“The unique and precious wildlife of the Hawaiian Islands are renowned symbols of Hawaii’s special place in the world and its incredible biodiversity,” U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson said in a statement. “We are committed to protecting our vulnerable wild species, in particular, endangered Hawaiian monk seals.”
If convicted, Lytvynchuk, faces up to one year in prison for each charge. He also faces a fine of up to $50,000 under the Endangered Species Act and a fine of up to $20,000 under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
In 2016, a man was seen on video appearing to beat a pregnant Hawaiian monk seal in shallow water.
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – One of Hawaii’s sweetest partnerships is returning with a larger footprint this year.
In celebration of National Pineapple Day and Dole’s 125th anniversary, residents who donate blood on Friday, June 26, will receive a free fresh Dole pineapple while supplies last.
The effort is a collaboration between Dole Food Company and Blood Bank of Hawaii aimed at boosting donations during a time of year when blood supplies traditionally decline.
According to Blood Bank of Hawaii, donations typically drop by about 15% during the summer months, even as hospitals continue to rely on a steady stream of lifesaving blood products every day. Organizers say all blood types are needed, with a particularly urgent demand for O-type blood, platelet donations, and AB plasma.
The campaign also comes during a milestone year for Dole.
The company is celebrating 125 years of pineapple history, commemorating the fruit that helped shape Hawaiʻi’s agricultural identity and introduced generations around the world to the islands’ pineapple legacy.
This year, blood donors will receive not only a pineapple, but commemorative Dole-branded anniversary gifts while supplies last.
National Pineapple Day recognizes a fruit often called the “fruit of kings.” Though pineapples originated in South and Central America, they became deeply intertwined with Hawaiʻi’s history after James Dole established commercial pineapple operations in the islands in the early 1900s. Today, Dole continues operating facilities in Wahiawā while promoting initiatives centered around nutrition and community wellness.
Unlike previous years, organizers are expanding the giveaway to every Blood Bank of Hawaii donor center and mobile drive location participating on Friday.
Donation sites include:
Young Street Donor Center
1907 Young Street, Honolulu
6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Waikele Center
94-849 Lumiaina Street, Waipahu
7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Windward Mall
46-056 Kamehameha Highway, Kāneʻohe
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Hyatt Regency Waikiki
2424 Kalākaua Avenue, Honolulu
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Pearlridge Center
98-1005 Moanalua Road, ʻAiea
Noon to 6 p.m.
Appointments are strongly encouraged and can be made through Blood Bank of Hawaii’s website or by calling (808) 848-4770.
Copyright 2026 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
The Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu welcomed the arrival of the Philippine contingent from the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard participating in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise 2026 that will be held from 24 June to 31 July 2026.
Led by Consul General Arman R. Talbo, the Consulate, together with members of the Filipino community in Hawaii, greeted the officers and crew aboard the PH Navy’s BRP Miguel Malvar and the PH Coast Guard’s BRP Gabriela Silang as they arrive and dock in Pearl Harbor, and conveyed support for their participation in the world’s largest international maritime exercise.
In his remarks, Consul General Talbo highlighted that the deployment of both a Philippine Navy and a Philippine Coast Guard vessel to RIMPAC 2026 reflects the Philippines’ growing maritime capabilities and its commitment to advancing maritime security, interoperability, and regional cooperation alongside allies and partners to promote a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific region.
The Consul General further underscored that the participation of BRP Miguel Malvar and BRP Gabriela Silang is especially meaningful as the Philippines and the United States commemorate the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year. He noted that the presence of both vessels at RIMPAC symbolizes the strength of the Philippines-US alliance and the expanding cooperation between the two countries in defense, security, and maritime affairs.
Named after two distinguished heroes of Philippine history, BRP Miguel Malvar and BRP Gabriela Silang also serve as reminders of the Philippines’ enduring legacy of courage, patriotism and unwavering dedication to national sovereignty.
The Philippine contingent will join other ships and personnel from participating nations during RIMPAC 2026 to further strengthen interoperability in multi-domain combat and contingency training. END
This article is brought to you by The Office of the Consul General of the Republic of the Philippines in Honolulu.
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(BIVN) – 10,000 rubber duckies will “race” across the lake at the Kings’ Shops in Waikoloa this Fourth of July.
The 34th annual Great Waikoloa Rubber Duckie Race will be on the Saturday, July 4th, held in support of the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Hawaiʻi.
From a news release courtesy the Kings’ Shops and the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Hawaiʻi:
The community fundraiser brings together a July 4 celebration, live entertainment, keiki activities and one of Waikoloa’s most visual traditions to support programs for children and adults with cerebral palsy and other disabilities with similar service needs. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with scheduled activities beginning at 11 a.m. and the rubber duckie race starting at 3 p.m. at Kings’ Shops.
“Each year, this event gives the community a fun, visible way to support programs for people with disabilities and their families across Hawaii,” said John Nishida, executive director of United Cerebral Palsy Association of Hawaii. “The duckie race has become a Waikoloa tradition because it brings people together for a celebration with a purpose.”
More than $25,000 in prizes will be awarded, including a grand prize trip for two to Japan. Additional prizes include resort stays, golf packages, boat cruises, dolphin experiences, gift baskets, shopping and dining certificates, and more. The first 50 duckies to finish the race, along with the last-place duckie, will win prizes for the people who adopted them.
This year’s Super Quackers theme will bring costumed superheroes throughout the center for photo opportunities and family-friendly fun. Tommy Ching returns as emcee, and the first 250 people to RSVP will receive a commemorative Super Quackers can cooler, while supplies last.
Event highlights include A-Bay’s Watermelon Eating Contest, live music by Kona Soul and Keoni Thompson, the Original Big Island Shave Ice Co. Shave Ice Eating Contest, the Fitness Forever Challenge, a preview of Aloha Theatre’s “Seussical,” and the duck waddling and duck calling contests. Guests will also find a scavenger hunt, free keiki activities, local artisan and food vendors, merchant offers, temporary tattoos by the Hawaii Army National Guard, Keiki ID services by the Hawaii Police Department, and pupus and drinks at Roy’s Waikoloa Bar & Grill.
Duck adoptions are $5 each. Special adoption packages include the $30 Quack Pack, which includes five ducks in the race and a free T-shirt, and the $100 VIP package, which includes 40 ducks in the race and a free T-shirt. T-shirts for Quack Pack and VIP package adoptions will be held for pickup on race day.
Duckies may be adopted online in advance. In-person adoptions will be available at Kings’ Shops on July 2 and 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and July 4 from 10 a.m. until sold out.
For more information, contact UCPA of Hawaii at (808) 532-6744 or visit kingsshops.com/events.
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