U.S. authorities launched an investigation and fined Louisiana tourists honeymooning in Hawai‘i after a video on social media showed a woman touching an endangered Hawaiian monk seal.
The couple were “deeply sorry,” a man identified as Stephen told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser for a story Tuesday. “We love Hawai‘i and the culture. We didn't mean to offend anyone."
A video posted on TikTok and other social media showed a woman touching the seal at a Kaua‘i beach in June. The video showed her running away after the resting seal raised its head and snapped at her.
The Associated Press wasn't immediately able to reach the couple Tuesday.
There are an estimated 1,100 Hawaiian monk seals in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and 300 in the main Hawaiian Islands.
NOAA
It's a felony to touch or harass a Hawaiian monk seal under state and federal laws, with penalties of up to five years in prison and a $50,000 fine.
The newspaper reported that authorities from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration contacted the couple over the weekend and assessed an undisclosed fine.
Dominic Andrews, a spokesman for NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement, said an investigation is underway and declined to comment further.
Gov. David Ige said in an Instagram post, "I’ve seen an increase in distressing videos recently of what appears to be visitors to our state touching and disturbing our endangered native Hawaiian monk seals. I want to be clear that this behavior is absolutely unacceptable."
"Visitors to our islands – you’re asked to respect our people, culture, and laws protecting endangered species that are found nowhere else in the world. For those who don’t, make no mistake, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," he added.
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July 15, 2021 at 05:36AM
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Tourists Fined for Touching Endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal on Kaua'i - Hawaiipublicradio
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