Visitor pays fines, apologizes for slapping seal
HONOLULU — The attorney for a man who slapped a Hawaiian monk seal while visiting Oahu issued an apology on behalf of his client, who paid fines issued by federal and state agencies.
Attorney Blake Long in North Carolina said the man paid the fines following an investigation of a video shared on social media.
The client requested the attorney issue the apology “to express his sincere remorse for his immature, inexcusable actions,” Long said.
Long did not disclose the amount paid and said he advised his client to remain anonymous to avoid backlash.
Officials from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of Law Enforcement and the Hawaii Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement began an investigation into the video in February.
The video, taken at least a month before its release, showed a man approaching a monk seal from behind and slapping its hindquarters, which is a violation of the Endangered Species Act.
“While this is an incident that my client wishes to leave behind, he is also hopeful that his mistake will be used as an example of the types of conduct tourists must avoid when encountering wildlife,” Long said in a statement.
Dairy to close Honolulu operation
HONOLULU — An anticipated sale of Hawaii’s oldest and largest milk processor fell through and the company expects to close its Honolulu operation, despite a tentative deal with another buyer, official said.
Dean Foods Co., the parent company of Meadow Gold, announced Monday that a pending sale would not proceed and the company plans to shutter its main dairy processing and distribution operation on Oahu on April 30, which will affect 216 employees.
A new buyer agreed to purchase and continue operating a Meadow Gold processing facility in Hilo, said Dean Foods Co. spokeswoman Anne Divjak.
Dean Foods did not disclose the buyer or the terms of the proposed agreement Tuesday.