65-year-old David Jiménez of Maui was cited for allegedly pursuing an adolescent humpback whale and dolphins inside Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park. 

A DOCARE officer recorded video of Jiménez actively pursuing a pod of spinner dolphins.  

On Facebook Jiménez refers to himself as “Dolphin Dave,” and told officers he’s not going to stop swimming with whales and dolphins, “because it’s magical and others do much worse things.”

Both whales and dolphins are protected by state and federal laws.

Jimenez was cited with the following violations of Hawai‘i Administrative Rules (HAR). He is was summoned to appear in Kona District Court on May 11, 2023.

• 13-124-3(b)(1) Prohibited Acts in Regard to Endangered Whale Species 

• 13-146-41 Harassing Wildlife in a State Park
  

DLNR Photo