Saving Our Hawaiian Monk Seals

Poachers and animal rights abusers beware: it is now a class C felony to intentionally harm or kill a Hawaiian monk seal. Lt. Gov. Duke Aiona, signed Senate Bill 2441 today, increasing the existing penalty from a misdemeanor to a felony.

“Despite the protections provided by the federal Endangered Species Act, these animals continue to be at risk,” said Aiona in a press release.

Act 165, originally SB 2441, was introduced by Senator Gary Hooser, and came on the heels of the deaths of three endangered monk seals. In one case last year, Charles Vidinha, 78,  shot and killed a monk seal on Kauai. He was convicted and received a 90-day prison sentence and a meager $25 fine (jaywalking violators have steeper fines at $135 per violation).

But under the new law, which takes effect immediately, violators can be fined up to $50,000 for harassing, harming or killing a monk seal.

The Hawaiian monk seal has been on the federal endangered species list since 1976. There are an estimated 1,100 monk seals in the Hawaiian Islands; however, the population has been declining at an average rate of 4 percent annually.

Several organizations testified in support of the bill’s passing—no one testified in opposition—including the State Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), the Hawaiian Humane Society, Hawaiian Monk Seals Response Team, Animal Rights Hawaii, the Audubon Society and more.

Click here for information on what to do if you encounter a monk seal.