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Michael Brestovansky

Crime & Courts

Igor Lytvynchuk, the Washington man charged with throwing a rock at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal, had his first court appearance in Honolulu on Wednesday.

Lytvynchuk, 38, appeared in U.S. District Court to plead "not guilty" to two charges of illegal taking of an endangered marine mammal. Those charges stem from 

 on May 5 when a man — later identified by investigators as Lytvynchuk — was recorded on video hurling a rock at a monk seal on a Maui beach, seemingly only narrowly missing the animal’s head.

As any form of harassment of an endangered seal violates both the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act, that single rock incurred two charges. Both charges are misdemeanor offenses, carrying a maximum possible sentence of one year in prison each, although Magistrate Judge Rom Trader told Lytvynchuk Wednesday that there is no guarantee, if he is found guilty, that he will face the full maximum sentence.

Lytvynchuk was arrested May 13 near Seattle by special agents of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Following an initial court appearance in Washington, the case was transferred to the District of Hawai‘i.

Lytvynchuk had little opportunity to speak at Wednesday’s hearing, confirming in one or two words that he understood Trader’s description of the legal process ahead of him. While his “not guilty” plea drew murmurs from the several dozen people in the gallery, he made no statement about his actions during or after the hearing.

However, a lawyer for Lytvynchuk had previously told media that Lytvynchuk had supposedly believed the seal to be a sea lion threatening sea turtles.

Trader ordered Lytvynchuk to be released on an unsecured $25,000 bond with several conditions, including that Lytvynchuk surrender his passport and all travel documents, that he not change addresses without approval from his pretrial officer, and that his travel is restricted to the Western District of Washington — a U.S. court district covering the state west of the Cascade Mountains — and O‘ahu for court purposes only.

Furthermore, when on O‘ahu, Lytvynchuk is prohibited from accessing any beaches or approaching any marine wildlife, Trader said.

“I think that’s an appropriately tailored restriction, given the circumstances,” Trader said.

Failing to comply with these conditions could result in a warrant for Lytvynchuk’s arrest and put him in jail until trial.

Lytvynchuk is also required to be present at future court hearings. However, Trader said he is inclined to waive that requirement for certain minor hearings and allow Lytvynchuk to appear remotely.

For example, the next hearing date is scheduled for June 9, where attorneys for both sides will set a mutually agreeable trial date and other deadlines. Trader agreed with Lytvynchuk’s attorney Sean Fitzsimmons that Lytvynchuk’s physical presence at that hearing will not be necessary.

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<title>Lytvynchuk pleads 'not guilty' in monk seal case</title>

Igor Lytvynchuk will be barred from O‘ahu beaches as his court case over an alleged attack on a Hawaiian monk seal continues.

Lytvynchuk pleads 'not guilty' in monk seal case

Christian Shimabuku Headshot

Christian Shimabuku

Sports

Aloha Spirit

PĀLOLO — With Diamond Head glistening in the distance to his right and the public housing units he grew up in situated just up the street to his left, Jayden Maiava stood firmly on his roots when explaining to the man directly across from him where it all started. 

Last week, Maiava held a free youth football clinic at Pālolo Valley District Park, the place he honed his football skills as one of college football's top quarterbacks. Gov. Josh Green made an appearance, and Maiava gave Green a walking tour. 

"It was unbelievable. I didn't think he was going to show up. It a great surprise," Maiava said afterwards. 

Green wished Maiava luck ahead of his senior year of USC, where in 2024, he became the storied program's first Polynesian starting quarterback. Green, an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan, enthusiastically told Maiava he hopes that's where he ends up. 

If the 2026 season goes as planned for Maiava, dozens of other NFL teams will more than be interested. 

After relocating to Las Vegas with his family in middle school, Maiava returned to O‘ahu ahead of his sophomore year at Kaimuki High School in 2019, leading the Bulldogs to an OIA Division II championship. As the Covid-19 pandemic wiped out the high school sports season in 2020, Maiava moved back to Las Vegas, finishing at Liberty High School in Henderson, Nev. 

Maiava eventually won the starting quarterback job as a redshirt freshman at UNLV in 2023, then parlayed his success into a spot on USC's roster in 2024. 

In his first year as a full-time starter in 2025, Maiava threw for 3,711 yards and 24 touchdowns, completing 65.8% of his passes as the Trojans went 9-4. His efficiency, combined with the fluidity he shows in carrying his 6-foot-4, 225-pound frame, had NFL scouts intrigued. Maiava decided to return for his senior season in 2026, where combined with one of the country's top recruiting classes, hopes remain high in Los Angeles. 

Life's moving fast for Maiava nowadays. Visits back home, and opportunities to give back, are steps in the journey he views as essential. On May 18, boys and girls aged 6 to 14 received a free shirt and were able to engage in a handful of fun games, some of which featured Maiava himself. Afterwards, Maiava took the time to sign autographs and take pictures with every single participant and their families, a session that lasted over an hour. 

Maiava received constant reminders of both his old and new life. While he was back on his old stomping grounds, multiple cameras were pointed at him the entire time. USC's media team in particular sent a contingent of nearly a dozen, filming him in his element, in addition to multiple family outings over the weekend. The plan for USC is to launch a full-fledged social media campaign centered around Maiava. 

"Being the first ever Samoan quarterback to start at SC is really big," Aaron Amaama, USC's director of high school recruiting relations, told Aloha State Daily. "He's an icon for our people."

Following the 2026 season, Maiava will try his hand at the NFL. It's a destination he dreamed of as a keiki, a place that feels closer than ever. On his way there, he hopes he can show other kids from Pālolo their dreams can be cultivated where their feet are. 

"It means everything," Maiava said of the Island youth. "When I was their age, I'd never thought I'd be throwing my own camp here, but being able to do that with the people around me, with the help that I've been lended, just being able to come back to the community and be present.

"It still hasn't hit me yet. I just try to stay in the moment, reflecting on where I came from, and this is where it all started. So, seeing all the kids, all my uncles and aunties, and just everybody who showed up, really just inspired me to just continue to do what I do to the best I can. I haven't accomplished nothing yet, so I think just for me, just being able to stay grounded and remember where I come from, and just continue to have that mindset of I still ain't doing nothing. Just keeping my head down, keep swinging, and relying on the people around me."

Jayden Maiava Josh Green 1 052226

<title>Pālolo proud: Jayden Maiava doesn't shy away from his roots along football journey</title>

Maiava, the first Polynesian quarterback to start for USC, took some time back home before the most consequential season of his young football career

Pālolo proud: Jayden Maiava doesn't shy away from his roots along football journey

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Igor Lytvynchuk, who reportedly said he is "rich enough to pay the fines" from allegedly attacking an endangered Hawaiian monk seal, faces up to $70,000 in fines and potential prison time.

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Man arrested for attack on monk seal

Man in social media video has been identified by the Department of Land and Natural Resources, but his identity has been withheld pending a review by a federal agency.

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Video of man throwing rock at monk seal under investigation

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