Four fishermen cited for illegally entering Lanaʻi seabird sanctuary at Shark Fin Rock

The Hawaiʻi State Division of Conservation and Resources officers cited four Maui fishermen on Friday for illegally entering into the Moku Naio Islet Seabird Sanctuary (Shark Fin Rock) off the coast of Lānaʻi. 

Noa Auweloa, 25, Craden Kailiehu, 25, Brysen Duarte, 27, and Ryan Carroll, 29, were issued citations for prohibited entry on a wildlife sanctuary. Carroll was also cited for improper vessel numbering and failure to display a vessel registration decal. 

On Thursday, a Lānaʻi resident reported the alleged violation to a state officer based on the island. The state sent a boat with two officers to assist with the investigation.  

On Friday morning, the officers arrived by boat to find four men packing up to leave. They were contacted and citations were issued. 

People are reminded that the four islets around Lānaʻi — Pu‘u Pehe, Moku Naio, Nanahoa and Poopoo — are closed wildlife sanctuaries and entry into all of them is illegal. 

This case relied on information from a concerned citizen and anyone who sees suspected illegal activity is asked to call the Division of Conservation and Resources hotline at 808-643-DLNR, or send information including photographs via the free, downloadable DLNRTip app.