Update after tourist who hurled rock at beloved seal in Hawaii was beaten up

The tourist who evoked anger online after throwing a rock at a beloved seal in Hawaii now finds himself in deeper trouble.

Last week, footage emerged of the man in question hurling a rock at the poor creature on a beach in Lahaina, Maui.

The Hawaii Department of Natural Resources explained that the incident – involving an endangered monk seal – occurred earlier this month on May 5. The seal was later identified as “Lani”, a popular figure for the local community and a symbol of the island’s resolve in the wake of the 2023 Lahaina wildfires.

The tourist who threw the rock quickly faced judgement at the hands of one of the locals, who reportedly assaulted the man.

Authorities have since identified the perpetrator as one Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk, with an updating claiming he was responsible for the incident.

And if a beating from a bystander and the ire of thousands online wasn’t enough, Lytvynchuk is now facing further, arguably more serious punishment.

Credit: United States Attorney’s Office
Following a statement from the United States Attorney’s Office, Lytvynchuk has been charged in connection with the incident.

“United States Attorney Ken Sorenson announced that Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk, 38, of Covington, Washington, was charged by criminal complaint on May 12, 2026, for harassing and attempting to harass an endangered Hawaiian monk seal by throwing a large rock at the seal’s head, in violation of the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act,” the statement reads.