State agents arrest Maui man for alleged illegal fishing, firearms offenses

A 29-year-old Kahului man was arrested Wednesday in Maui on outstanding warrants related to illegal fishing and firearms charges, according to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources' Resource Conservation and Enforcement Division.

Sy Alapai was stopped by DOCARE officers conducting routine checks on Ka'ae Road. He was reportedly found to have “a loaded bolt-action rifle and a loaded semi-automatic rifle in his vehicle.” Alapai's car also had expired license plates and an MOT, according to a DOCARE press release.

DOCARE agents say Alapai had previously “engaged in illegal net-throwing activities” in an area known as Rivermouth. The nets Alapai was using Wednesday are legal, but his weapons were in plain sight in his car, state officials said.

DOCARE agents checked with the Maui Police Department and discovered that Alapai had three outstanding arrest warrants for two illegal fishing net counts and a traffic violation.

According to state authorities, Alapai was arrested on three outstanding warrants and two counts of firearms. A trial date is pending. The rifles and 18 rounds of ammunition were recovered and entered into evidence.