Coverage dated May 13, 2026 to May 15, 2026

Kash Patel faces scrutiny over snorkeling outing at USS Arizona memorial in Hawaii

Headline from The Guardian, on the newest of 2 developments

FBI director reportedly took a snorkel excursion at site containing remains of more than 1,000 navy sailors and marines

The Guardian's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

Earlier updates in this story

Developments in this update

2 dated developments, oldest first, newest marked. Each is named by one outlet's own headline; open its reports to see every outlet that covered it.

May 14, 2026
Patel takes ‘VIP snorkel’ during official base visit
Headline from Arkansas Democrat-Gazette ·
May 16, 2026Newest
Kash Patel faces scrutiny over snorkeling outing at USS Arizona memorial in Hawaii
Headline from The Guardian ·

Read the reports

Reports & sources

26 articles, oldest first.

ABC 7 Los Angeles
Emails show FBI Director Kash Patel's Hawaii trip included 'VIP snorkel' at a Pearl Harbor memorial (opens ABC 7 Los Angeles)
Published May 13, 2026
ABC 7 Los Angeles's feed description
Kash Patel participated in what government officials described as a "VIP snorkel" around the USS Arizona in an outing coordinated by the military.
Los Angeles Times
Kash Patel's Hawaii trip included 'VIP snorkel' at a Pearl Harbor memorial, emails show (opens Los Angeles Times)
Published May 13, 2026
Los Angeles Times's feed description
Government emails obtained by the Associated Press show that FBI Director Kash Patel went on a “VIP snorkel” session last summer at the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor.
Forbes
Kash Patel Reportedly Took ‘VIP Snorkel’ Around Pearl Harbor—Latest Report Of Mixing Leisure And Official Duties (opens Forbes)
Published May 13, 2026
Forbes's feed description
Dignitaries, including military and government officials responsible for managing the site, have been allowed to swim there.
Washington Examiner
Patel went on 'VIP snorkel' at Pearl Harbor memorial, emails show (opens Washington Examiner)
Published May 13, 2026
Washington Examiner's feed description
The Hawaii trip is the latest controversy surrounding Patel, who has faced criticism for his use of the FBI plane and global travel.
Rolling Stone
Kash Patel Went on 'VIP Snorkel' Adventure Around Pearl Harbor Wreckage: Report (opens Rolling Stone)
Published May 13, 2026
Rolling Stone's feed description
FBI Director Kash Patel went on a "VIP snorkel" around the wreckage of the USS Arizona, bombed at Pearl Harbor in World War II.
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Patel takes ‘VIP snorkel’ during official base visit (opens Arkansas Democrat-Gazette)
Published May 14, 2026
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's feed description
WASHINGTON -- When Kash Patel visited Hawaii last summer, the FBI took pains to note the director was not on vacation. Left out of the FBI's news releases was an exclusive excursion that Patel took days later when he participated in what government officials described as a "VIP snorkel" around the U…
Newsweek
FBI denies Kash Patel Pearl Harbor snorkel trip was a ‘bachelor party’ (opens Newsweek)
Published May 14, 2026
Newsweek's feed description
FBI official criticized the AP’s characterization of the event as "stupid."
New York Post
FBI hits back at ‘VIP snorkel’ report on Director Kash Patel’s Hawaii trip: ‘Not a party’ (opens New York Post)
Published May 14, 2026
New York Post's feed description
The FBI hit back Thursday at an Associated Press report that Director Kash Patel participated in a "VIP snorkel" excursion at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii last year, noting that the trip was part of a "historical tour to honor heroes who died on the USS Arizona - not a party."
The New Republic
Report: Kash Patel Was Desperate to Snorkel in a Graveyard (opens The New Republic)
Published May 14, 2026
The New Republic's feed description
The FBI director went on a VIP snorkeling trip at Pearl Harbor last summer.
WHDH Boston
Emails show FBI Director Kash Patel’s Hawaii trip included ‘VIP snorkel’ at a Pearl Harbor memorial - Boston News, Weather, Sports (opens WHDH Boston)
Published May 14, 2026
WHDH Boston's feed description
WASHINGTON (AP) — When Kash Patel visited Hawaii last summer, the FBI took pains to note the director was not on vacation, highlighting his walking tour of
The Guardian
Kash Patel faces scrutiny over snorkeling outing at USS Arizona memorial in Hawaii (opens The Guardian)
Published May 15, 2026
The Guardian's feed description
FBI director reportedly took a snorkel excursion at site containing remains of more than 1,000 navy sailors and marines
Honolulu Star-Advertiser
Kash Patel faces ethics scrutiny over Pearl Harbor snorkel trip | Honolulu Star-Advertiser (opens Honolulu Star-Advertiser)
Published May 15, 2026
Honolulu Star-Advertiser's feed description
Last summer, FBI Director Kash Patel capped a whirlwind South Pacific trip with a snorkel trip in Hawaii.
Hawaiitribune Herald
Snorkeling at Pearl Harbor: Kash Patel’s travels add to focus on ethical issues - Hawaii Tribune-Herald (opens Hawaiitribune Herald)
Published May 15, 2026
Hawaiitribune Herald's feed description
Snorkeling at Pearl Harbor: Kash Patel’s travels add to focus on ethical issues - Hawaii News | Hawaii Tribune-Herald
West Hawaii Today
Snorkeling at Pearl Harbor: Kash Patel’s travels add to focus on ethical issues (opens West Hawaii Today)
Published May 15, 2026
West Hawaii Today's feed description
Last summer, FBI Director Kash Patel capped a whirlwind South Pacific trip with a snorkel trip in Hawaii.
The Garden Island
Kash Patel faces ethics scrutiny over Pearl Harbor snorkel trip (opens The Garden Island)
Published May 15, 2026
The Garden Island's feed description
Last summer, FBI Director Kash Patel capped a whirlwind South Pacific trip with a snorkel trip in Hawaii.

Identical headlines usually mean shared wire copy. They are counted as separate articles but are not independent confirmation.