In April and May of 2009, two Hawaiian Monk Seals were shot and killed on separate beaches along Kauai’s serene northern coastline. The killings were upsetting and mysterious, because there were no obvious motives, and the animals were left to die on the beach, one struggling in agonized death throes for several minutes until it succumbed to its wounds. Eyewitness gave a vague description of a man and vehicle seen in the area of one of the incidents, and they’d heard some “loud noises”, but stopped short of identifying the actual shooter. But before the dilemma of finding out who might have been responsible for doing this terrible thing, the burning question everyone was asking was WHY?
Why would anyone even think to harm, much less destroy, what everyone and their Tutu knows is an endangered and protected species, and obviously not a typical wild game animal? Could it have been a frustrated, destitute hunter who’d killed the animals for food? Was the person once harassed by seals while out for a swim? No? Then maybe the seals were scaring away fish at their favorite fishing spot? Perhaps they kept coming ashore at their favorite beach, preventing them from using it? Though none of these reasons come close to being acceptable, they’d at least help us get our heads around this thing … anything but “Just for the hell of it!” Why the brutal violence? Why impose such misdirected cruelty? Why carry out such a random, pointless act? Why, why, why?
Scientists describe the Hawaiian Monk Seal as a “critically endangered species”. Most of the 1,200 or so individuals left in the wild live amongst the uninhabited Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, a federally protected wildlife sanctuary. (Photo: NOAA)Known to indigenous Hawaiians as ʻIlio-holo-i-ka-uaua’, or "dog that runs in rough waters," the Hawaiian Monk Seal is a typically curious and intelligent, but shy and docile creature that is protected under the federal Endangered Species and Marine Mammal Protection Acts. As of last year, NOAA scientists estimated that less than 1,200 individuals exist in the wild, mostly in the remote Northwestern Hawaiian Island archipelago. Recently, more of them have been spotted coming ashore at public beaches on the main islands, unknowingly exposing themselves to the intermittently stupid actions of humans.
I’ve seen lots monk seals resting on the beach here on Oahu as well as on Maui and Molokai. I’ve encountered them in the lineup playfully swimming between me and other fascinated surfers, and we marveled at their effortless wave riding skills. They’re such a blessing to Hawaii’s diverse eco-system and cultural Mana. Every Monk seal that is lost is residually injurious to nature and the people of Hawaii. You understand this more clearly each time you see one in the flesh and roaming free in it’s natural environment.
A pregnant female hauls out at an East Honolulu beach to bask on the warm sand after a long swim. To the delight of residents and tourists alike, an increasing number of Monk seals are coming to the seven main Hawaiian Islands.One of the Kauai seals killed was a 5 year old male, and the other, dubbed RK06 by local marine researchers, happened to be pregnant at the time. It’s difficult to think of anything more heartbreaking than a mortally wounded female (seal or otherwise) fighting off death in an effort to save her unborn young. RK06 was a mature female known by researchers as an exceptionally steady and prolific breeder, which makes her untimely death even more tragic. Wildlife advocates worldwide and the Kauai community expressed outrage, sadness, and fear at the news of these senseless crimes. Acting on the public outcry for justice, the Kauai chapter of the Surfrider Foundation hui’d together an $11,000.00 reward for information on, and the arrest and indictment of the person(s) involved in the shootings.
This young male frolicked in the shorebreak with swimmers at White Plains Beach this past March before coming in for a good long rest under the fence line. Lifeguards quickly roped off the area to protect it from curious beachgoers. How ironic it is that these beguiling creatures are safer on heavily populated urban beaches than they are on secluded ones.There recently was a break in one case; police arrested a 78-year-old Kauai man (78?!!!) in connection with the RK06 killing in May. The man was then indicted on August 5th, 2009 by a Federal Grand Jury in Honolulu on charges of violating the Endangered Species Act, and possible firearms violations. Nobody was sure if the two cases were related, but investigators presumed a tie to the April shooting. The suspect faces a year in jail and a $50,000.00 fine if convicted. Despite the suspect’s age (78?!!!), I personally think the sentence is too light, considering the ramifications the two killings may have on this dangerously depleted species. I would have thought federal penalties would be a lot stiffer, and send a crystal clear preventive message to other unimaginably thoughtless people like this individual. On August 11th, he entered a not guilty plea to the charges in U.S. District Court and his jury trial is set to begin on October 14th, 2009. Other than his name and age, very little information about the suspect, his mental state, or his criminal history have been released to the public to date, so until the trial begins, the nagging question will continue to be …. WHY?
Mahalo to the Surfrider Foundation Kauai, all the good folks who made donations to the reward fund, and the Kauai community and authorities for helping to solve one of these crimes. If you witness anyone harassing, maiming, or killing monk seals, call NMFS Law Enforcement 24/7 @ 1-(800)-853-1964 or your local county police department to report it immediately.
