Kash Patel’s snorkelling adventure in Hawaii is facing flak. Here’s why

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel keeps making a mess that he hardly needs another one, yet somehow Patel has landed in one again. This time, it's about his visit to Hawaii last summer, which the FBI stressed was not a vacation.

It was underscored as his walking tour to the bureau's Honolulu field office, and a meeting with local law enforcement. However, the latest report suggests otherwise. The FBI director took part in a military-coordinated “VIP snorkel” around the USS Arizona memorial at Pearl Harbour in Honolulu, Hawaii.

The place is considered one of America’s most sacred military sites, marking the final resting place for more than 900 sailors and Marines who lost their lives during the 1941 attack.

We take a look at the controversy.

What government email revealed

Government emails obtained by The Associated Press (AP) revealed that the FBI director participated in a snorkelling session days after touring the bureau's Honolulu field office.

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Now the FBI has not disclosed about snorkelling, nor regarding whether Patel had returned to Hawaii for two days following his initial stopover on the island while travelling back from official visits to Australia and New Zealand.

FBI Director Kash Patel testifies before a Senate Appropriations Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee hearing on US President Donald Trump's FY2027 budget request for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). File image/Reuters

Stacey Young, who founded Justice Connection, a network of former federal prosecutors and agents who advocate for the Department of Justice's independence, told AP: "It fits a pattern of director Patel getting tangled up in unseemly distractions — this time at a site commemorating the second-deadliest attack in US history — instead of staying laser-focused on keeping Americans safe."

It also came to light that, since at least the Obama administration, military and government officials responsible for the memorial's management are secretly allowed by the Navy and the park service to swim at the site. However, the Navy and the park service refused to give details of those allowed to take such excursions.

A former government diver who spoke to the news agency on the condition of anonymity said that former FBI directors have visited Pearl Harbour on official business, but records dating back to at least 1993 reveal that none had gone snorkelling at the memorial.

The diver noted it was not usual for a director, or anyone not associated with the memorial, to be granted such access.

Why are the questions raised about Patel's Hawaii trip?

His excursion was in August. He spent two days in Hawaii on his return to the US from official visits to Australia and New Zealand. Now, on his way to those nations, Patel stopped in Hawaii to visit the Honolulu field office.

Flight data reviewed by the AP showed that the FBI’s Gulfstream G550 remained in Hawaii for two nights before continuing to Las Vegas, the director's adopted hometown.

Critics called Patel's outing an act of disrespect to Pearl Harbour victims. File image/Reuters

The FBI has not clarified why Patel returned to Hawaii after his initial stop on the island or disclosed what additional activities occurred during his stay.

In a statement, the FBI confirmed that Patel met with regional commanders at Joint Base Pearl Harbour-Hickam "as they commonly do with US government officials on official travel."

The spokesman added, "The Pearl Harbour visit was part of the director's public national security engagements last August with counterparts in New Zealand, Australia, our Honolulu Field Office and the Department of War."

A Navy spokesperson, Capt. Jodie Cornell confirmed that the outing took place but said the service could not determine who initiated it.

Cornell confirmed that snorkel participants were told "not to touch/come into contact with" the sunken ship in any way, adding that the snorkelers were also instructed about "the historic significance of the memorial as the final resting place/tomb for hundreds of service members."

"Like having a bachelor party at a church"

Critics called Patel's outing an act of disrespect to Pearl Harbour victims.

Veterans also objected to the decision to grant political officials access to the restricted waters around the memorial.

"It's like having a bachelor party at a church. It's hallowed ground. It needs to be treated with the solemnity it deserves," Marine veteran Hack Albertson, who participates in annual authorised dives to inspect the wreckage, AP reported.

The Navy described the FBI director's outing as ‘not an anomaly,' but officials refused to provide details about the excursions.

What are Patel's recent controversies?

This controversy is the latest in a string of instances of broader scrutiny of Patel’s travel and use of government resources for personal leisure during his time in office.

The FBI director had earlier defended another overseas trip after a video surfaced showing him celebrating with members of the US men’s hockey team at the Winter Olympics in Milan.

The recent controversy concerned his introduction of an unconventional style of diplomacy within the bureau. His approach included handing out personalised bottles of Kentucky bourbon.

According to reports from The Atlantic and subsequent confirmations by current and former Department of Justice employees, Patel has been distributing custom-engraved bottles of Woodford Reserve to both FBI staff and civilians he encounters in the course of his official duties.

The distribution of the bourbon reportedly went far beyond simple gift-giving. Sources cited by The Atlantic claim Patel and members of his team used Department of Justice aircraft to transport cases of the personalised whiskey during official trips.

With inputs from agencies