During a trip to Hawaii last summer, Kash Patel, the FBI director, engaged in an exclusive snorkeling session near the USS Arizona, a sunken battleship at Pearl Harbor that serves as a military cemetery. The excursion, not publicly disclosed by the FBI, raised questions about Patel’s use of FBI resources and his travel activities, which have combined work obligations with leisure pursuits.
Snorkeling and diving around the USS Arizona are typically prohibited, as the battleship holds the remains of over 900 sailors and marines and is considered a sacred site since the 1941 attack by Japan. Marine archaeologists and National Park Service crews occasionally dive at the memorial for assessment purposes, while some dives are conducted to inter the remains of Arizona survivors who wished to be laid to rest alongside their comrades.
Patel’s snorkeling expedition, revealed in government emails obtained by The Associated Press, has drawn criticism for diverting attention from his duty to ensure public safety. Notably, previous FBI directors have visited Pearl Harbor for official purposes but have refrained from snorkeling at the memorial, citing the associated risks and security challenges.
The outing occurred in August when Patel was returning from official visits to Australia and New Zealand. While in Hawaii, he visited the FBI’s Honolulu field office before participating in the snorkeling session. The FBI stated that Patel’s visit to Pearl Harbor was part of his national security engagements during his travels to New Zealand, Australia, and the Department of War.
The navy confirmed Patel’s snorkeling activity but could not determine who initiated the outing. Participants were instructed not to touch the sunken ship and were briefed on its historical significance as a final resting place for hundreds of service members. The Navy and the National Park Service have allowed select dignitaries to swim at the site, including military and government officials overseeing the memorial’s management, though specifics on these excursions were not disclosed.
In response to the controversy surrounding Patel’s leisure activities, a navy spokesperson emphasized that Patel’s snorkeling experience was not an isolated incident. The National Park Service and the navy refrained from commenting on Patel’s swim and declined to provide details about similar outings in the past.
Military officials coordinated logistics for Patel’s “VIP snorkel,” according to government emails obtained through a public records request. While the navy acknowledged the frequency of such excursions, marine veteran Hack Albertson criticized Patel’s participation, likening it to disrespecting a sacred space. Patel’s activities during his extended stay in Hawaii following the snorkeling session remain undisclosed.
