Who is Igor Lytvynchuk? Seattle businessman named in Hawaii monk seal harassment investigation

A tourist accused of throwing a rock at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal off the coast of Lahaina has become the center of growing outrage after witnesses claimed he brushed off the incident by saying, “I don’t care… I’m rich.”

The man has been identified in local and online reports as Igor Lytvynchuk, a 37-year-old Seattle businessman reportedly linked to a Washington-based shipping company. Authorities have not formally named him, but the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources confirmed that a 37-year-old man from Seattle was detained after the incident.

The woman who recorded the footage, Kaylee Ku’ukamaleimakamae Schnitzer told KHON2, that the man appeared unfazed when confronted. According to her account, he allegedly responded, “I don’t care, fine me. I’m rich,” before walking away.

The seal has not been formally identified by officials, though many online believe it may be Lani, one of Maui’s most recognized monk seals. Authorities have not confirmed whether the animal was injured.

Hawaiian monk seals are among the rarest marine mammals in the world, with only around 1,600 left in the wild. They are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act, meaning harassment can carry penalties of up to five years in prison and fines of up to $50,000.

After detaining the suspect, state officers said he declined to make a statement and requested an attorney. The case has now been referred to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for federal review.

For many in Hawaii, the anger is not only about one viral clip. It is about the treatment of a species found nowhere else on Earth — and whether a moment of reckless arrogance will now lead to real consequences.