With violent threats and racial slurs, a man is reportedly blocking access to a Hawaii public beach in an effort to protect the ocean and the dolphins that reside offshore.
Samson Souza and his wife, Kawehionalani Souza, have begun parking near Makua Beach and intimidating anyone who attempts to visit. Makua Beach is a popular destination on the west side of Oahu, about an hour outside of downtown Honolulu.
It’s illegal to block access to a public beach in Hawaii. Souza was charged with harassment and second-degree terroristic threatening for his actions last month. According to Honolulu Civil Beat, it’s unclear if he will make his appearance for the charges. If he skips his court date, a warrant could be issued for his arrest.
Harassment and second-degree terroristic threatening are considered misdemeanors in Hawaii and carry a maximum jail sentence of one year.
Souza’s alleged threats of physical violence are alarming and have been enough to convince many to steer clear of the beach.
“He said that no law could stop him because this is not America and then he told me that he was going to bash my head in,” Emily Silge told Civil Beat. Silge has lived near Makua Beach for 10 years and had been a regular visitor. She said Souza called her a “haole,” a Hawaiian word used to describe foreigners; when used in a derogatory manner, it can be a racial slur.
Souza also called Noelle Ball a “dirty haole,” Civil Beat reported. “It was just me and my girlfriend. And being a girl is scary to have a man that big cussing and yelling at you,” Ball said.
Jen Schindler, another Hawaii resident who spoke to Civil Beat, said she feels like she can’t go back to Makua Beach after Souza made threats of “knocking us out” against her family.
Souza claims that he has to protect the ocean and dolphins from foreign threats.
“If you come over here with bad intentions like swimming with the dolphins or taking pictures of our ice box, then we have to hold people accountable,” Souza told Civil Beat, referring to the ocean.
Hawaii’s spinner dolphins are often found at or near Makua Beach. Swimming with dolphins has been discouraged since 1972, when they were listed as protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, but those hoping to have dolphin experiences have not stopped. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration had to create a rule in 2021 against humans getting within 50 yards of spinner dolphins to protect the species.
It appears that confusing jurisdiction has been an issue in resolving the Makua Beach situation. A representative from the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) told SFGATE in an email that Souza had no recorded citations with DLNR and that he did not appear to be occupying state lands. DLNR then recommended SFGATE contact the Honolulu Police Department, as it polices Honolulu County, which encompasses the city and the island of Oahu. But when reached for comment, the Honolulu Police Department could only confirm that police reports had been filed for Souza’s harassment and terroristic threatening charges.
Source: SF Gate
