A man who punched a tourist after he was filmed throwing a rock at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal is now being celebrated online — and even received an official letter of recognition from a state senator.

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The incident unfolded on the shoreline off Front Street in Lahaina, Maui, after a 37-year-old visitor from Seattle was allegedly seen hurling a large rock toward a passing monk seal known locally as “Lani”, The Independent reports.

Footage of the encounter quickly spread across social media, sparking outrage across Hawaii and beyond after viewers watched the rock narrowly miss the seal’s head as it swam close to shore.

The endangered animal is well known to residents in Lahaina and has become something of a local symbol following the devastating wildfires that hit Maui in 2023.

Witness Kaylee Ku’ukamaleimakamae Schnitzer – who filmed the incident – confronted the tourist moments after the rock was thrown.

“What are you doing? Why would you throw a rock at it?” she can be heard shouting in the viral clip.

But according to Schnitzer, the man showed little concern about the potential consequences.

“We told him that we called the cops, and he was like, ‘I don’t care. Fine me, I’m rich.’ He said that, and he kept walking,” she later told KHON2.

The video triggered widespread anger online, particularly given Hawaiian monk seals are considered one of the world’s most endangered marine mammals, with only around 1,400 left globally. Under both state and federal law, it is illegal to harass, disturb, injure or feed the protected species, with violations carrying potential fines of up to $50,000 or even criminal penalties.

But the story took another dramatic turn shortly afterwards.

Separate footage appeared to show an unidentified local confronting the tourist and launching a flurry of punches at him in retaliation for targeting the seal.

Rather than condemning the attacker outright, Hawaiian state Senator Brenton Awa publicly praised the mystery man during a government meeting.

“Some of us have seen environmental activists [sic], I like to call them, who took matters into his own hands to educate what might happen when you mess with our lands or the animals,” Awa said.

As the camera panned toward a smiling lawyer seated nearby, the senator added: “Our attorney over here wants to make it clear we don’t condone violence, but we did make a letter of recognition for ‘Mr Ambassador of Aloha’.”

Awa later suggested the footage should even be shown on incoming flights to Hawaii as a warning to visitors.

“But we’d like at least the airline to play this type of video on all flights incoming so people don’t do this kind of stuff,” he said.

The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources confirmed officers from the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement launched an investigation after Maui police alerted them to reports of monk seal harassment.

A 37-year-old man from Seattle matching the description was detained and questioned by officers before later being released after requesting legal counsel.

Authorities have not publicly identified the suspect as no criminal charges have currently been filed.

Maui Mayor Richard Bissen also condemned the incident and made it clear the tourist’s behaviour would not be welcomed on the island.

“By now, we’ve all heard about the disturbing incident against our friend, Lani, the Hawaiian monk seal,” Bissen said, via The Sun. “Like many in our community, I was shocked by what happened. Lani is not just a seal to us; she is part of our ocean Ohana (family) in Lahaina.

“Many of our residents know her, watch over her, and care deeply about her.”

He continued: “Let me be clear: this is not the type of visitor we welcome on Maui. Behaviour like this will not be tolerated.”

Bissen also promised he would personally push for the strongest possible punishment if charges are eventually filed.

“There must be consequences, Lani, we have your back,” he added.

Officials later confirmed they had not yet determined whether the seal was physically harmed by the rock.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources said the investigation remains ongoing and findings may still be passed to NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement for possible federal action.

Featured image credit: Instagram/kay.schnitz (screenshot)