HONOLULU ( KHNL/ Gray News) - A video of man seen picking up a honu, a Hawaiian green sea turtle, for a photo is sparking outrage.

State officials said the incident is now on their radar and call it another reminder that getting too close to sea turtles is both dangerous and illegal.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources said incidents like this aren’t rare. Despite posted signs, rules and repeated warnings, officials say people continue to cross the line, often for a picture.

The video was posted last week by the TikTok account @itsbleuworld.

“Immediately when I saw it, my heart stopped. It was disturbing, disgusting,” marine life advocate Melina Clark said. “It just showed once again that here we are in 2025, nothing has improved.”

DLNR confirmed the incident was reported

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