When Kash Patel traveled to Hawaii last summer, the FBI made it clear that the director was not on vacation. They highlighted his visit to the bureau’s Honolulu field office and meetings with local law enforcement. However, omitted from the FBI reports was an exclusive event where Patel participated in a “VIP snorkel” around the USS Arizona, a sunken battleship at Pearl Harbor, which serves as a military cemetery for over 900 sailors and marines.
Snorkeling and diving around the USS Arizona are typically restricted, as the battleship holds significant historical and emotional value since it was attacked and sunk by Japan in 1941. Marine archaeologists and National Park Service crews occasionally dive at the memorial to assess the wreck’s condition. Some dives are conducted to lay to rest the remains of Arizona survivors who wished to be reunited with their fallen comrades.
Patel’s snorkeling activity, revealed through government emails obtained by The Associated Press, has sparked criticism due to his use of FBI resources and blending professional duties with leisure pursuits. The FBI did not disclose the snorkeling session or Patel’s extended stay in Hawaii following his initial visit to the island.
Stacey Young, founder of Justice Connection, a network of former federal prosecutors and agents advocating for the Department of Justice’s independence, remarked, “It fits a pattern of Director Patel getting caught up in unsavory distractions at a site commemorating one of the deadliest attacks in U.S. history, rather than focusing entirely on ensuring the safety of Americans.”
While previous FBI directors have visited Pearl Harbor for official purposes, none, at least since 1993, have been reported to snorkel at the memorial. According to sources familiar with their activities and a former government diver who spoke anonymously to The Associated Press, granting access to individuals not directly associated with the memorial for such activities is uncommon due to the associated physical risks and security challenges.
Patel’s snorkeling excursion took place in August, during his return from official visits to Australia and New Zealand. The FBI stated that top regional commanders hosted Patel at Joint Base Harbor-Hickam, as is customary for U.S. government officials on official travel, linking the Pearl Harbor visit to Patel’s national security engagements in August.
The navy confirmed Patel’s snorkeling trip but could not determine the initiator of the event. Participants were instructed not to touch the sunken ship and were briefed on the memorial’s historic significance as the final resting place of hundreds of service members.
Government emails obtained by The Associated Press revealed military coordination for the “VIP snorkel,” while the National Park Service, responsible for the site in collaboration with the navy, distanced itself from Patel’s swim, refusing to comment on the incident or similar excursions.
The navy mentioned that Patel’s snorkeling was not unusual and declined to provide specific examples of such outings. Marine veteran Hack Albertson criticized the participation of political figures in snorkeling or diving activities at the memorial, likening it to holding a celebratory event at a place of worship, emphasizing the need for solemn respect.
While details beyond the snorkeling event during Patel’s Hawaii stopover remain undisclosed, questions linger about the appropriateness of his exclusive outing.