In today's edition: Washington's governor sounds the alarm over a ferry system crisis that needs urgent federal help; a tourist from Seattle was detained in Hawaii after throwing a rock at a rare monk seal, sparking public outrage.
Washington State ferry system on the brink: governor calls for urgent help from Washington, D.C.
Washington State Governor Bob Ferguson has appealed to the federal government for emergency financial support for the largest ferry system in the U.S., Washington State Ferries. Speaking at a briefing at the Seattle ferry terminal, he warned that although the system has restored full in-state service for the first time since 2019, that achievement remains highly fragile. The ferry fleet, he said, is aging faster than new vessels can be built, and its reliability is under constant threat from mechanical failures and growing repair needs. The governor’s main complaint is a catastrophic funding imbalance: federal funds cover only 16% of the operating budget and a meager 5% of the capital budget. Ferguson says that without a significant increase in federal investment, the system will not be able to sustain current service levels.
A key problem remains the outdated fleet. Ferries, many of which have been in service for decades, are increasingly breaking down at the worst possible times, leading to canceled sailings and chaos for thousands of passengers. Restoring the full schedule after the COVID-19 pandemic was hailed as a victory, but, as the governor emphasized in his speech at a FOX 13 Seattle press conference, "the lack of new vessels leaves the entire network vulnerable to sudden failures." The situation is compounded by ambitious modernization plans: the state is insisting on a shift to hybrid-electric technology, which multiplies the cost of already expensive domestic shipbuilding. In 2025 authorities made a difficult decision, awarding a contract to a Florida shipyard to build three new ferries for $714 million, leaving a local contractor out. The Washington company’s bid was $350 million higher, which Republican representatives attributed to high local taxes and excessive regulation. Commenting on the choice, the governor acknowledged he would always prefer to support local manufacturing but candidly added, "Those bids need to be more competitive." The first of the three new Florida-built ferries is not expected before the start of the next decade, leaving the state to patch holes in an aging fleet for many years. With record office vacancies in Seattle and widespread worry about the region’s business climate, Ferguson calls preserving the ferry system and major employers his absolute priority. Without federal money, he warns, the "fragile" recovery could collapse at any moment, leaving residents and the state economy without a vital transportation artery.
Seattle resident under investigation for throwing rock at monk seal in Hawaii
A video circulated on social media showing a man throwing a rock at a Hawaiian monk seal near the town of Lahaina on the island of Maui. The incident sparked public outrage and drew the attention of law enforcement. According to the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), the video was posted on Instagram and clearly shows the rock passing just a few inches from the animal’s head. Maui police detained a 37-year-old man from Seattle who matched the suspect’s description after receiving a report of the incident on May 5. The detainee was read his rights and requested an attorney. The man’s identity has not been released, as no formal charges have yet been filed. The case has been referred to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of Law Enforcement in connection with violations of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, since Hawaiian monk seals are an endangered species and under federal protection. It is not yet clear exactly what object was thrown or whether the animal was injured, but the act itself has raised serious concern among conservationists.
In addition to this incident, there have been reports on the island of Oahu of people crossing a temporary barrier at Kaimana Beach, where a 15-year-old female seal and her pup—born May 3—are located. Authorities warn that such behavior is extremely dangerous, as the mother may attack anyone she perceives as a threat to her offspring. As DLNR chief ranger Jason Redulla reminded in his statement, a similar incident occurred at the same beach in 2022 when a seal attacked a swimmer, causing serious facial, back and arm injuries. Violations of endangered species protections can result in substantial fines, which in similar cases have reached several thousand dollars. Authorities urge people to keep their distance and not approach seals for their own safety and the animals’ welfare. The story is ongoing, and further information is expected.
Seattle man accused of hurling rock at monk seal in Hawaii: incident caught on video
A tourist from Seattle was detained by police in Hawaii on suspicion of cruelly treating a rare marine animal—the Hawaiian monk seal. The incident occurred on the coast of Lahaina, where witnesses say the man threw a rock at the seal while it was swimming near shore. The Hawaiian monk seal is one of the rarest seal species in the world, and its population is declining. The Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) strictly prohibit any disturbance, harassment, feeding or harm to these animals. The local Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) confirmed that video of the incident surfaced online and has been handed over to authorities.
According to KIRO 7 News Seattle, the 37-year-old man from Seattle detained so far has not been formally charged. Immediately after being caught he refused to speak and exercised his right to an attorney. Maui police contacted the Division of Conservation and Resource Enforcement (DOCARE), and after receiving a description from a witness, an officer located and detained the suspect. It is important to understand that Hawaiian monk seals are not just beautiful animals but an endangered species under special federal and local protection. Violating these laws can lead to serious fines and even jail time. Experts note that such actions harm not only the animal’s health but also the overall state of the ecosystem, which depends on every species. This case again raises the need to inform tourists about proper behavior around wildlife, since a single thoughtless act can have catastrophic consequences for a rare species.
