Animal rights activists are celebrating the news that the first U.S. resort developed by Atlantis Resorts — at Ko Olina — won’t include captive dolphins.
Ko Olina master developer Jeff Stone had pursued a captive dolphin permit in the early days of his resort planning but now says that is no longer the case.
Tourist dolphin encounters have grown increasingly controversial, as have visitor-industry-controlled wild-dolphin experiences. In recent years, Animal Rights Hawaii, Keiko Conservation and the Humane Society of the United States have been working to end captive dolphin tourist attractions. They’ve protested at Ko Olina as well as Dolphin Quest Hawaii at the Kahala Hotel &Resort and Sea Life Park Hawaii, which offer dolphin experiences.
“Although archival news clips have included mentions of swim-with-the-dolphins exhibits and dolphinariums, these are dated concepts,” Stone said in letter to Cathy Goeggel, president of Animal Rights Hawaii. “As with your organization and other local stewards, it is also Ko Olina’s kuleana to look after our ocean resources, including the mammals and sea life that inhabit the waters.” (“Kuleana” means “responsibility” in Hawaiian.)
In the Dec. 27 letter, Stone reiterated that “there are no plans for captive dolphins in the Atlantis Ko Olina project” and said Ko Olina’s partners Oceanwide Resort and Kerzner International also were committed to “respecting and celebrating the unique history, culture and ocean heritage of Hawaii.”
Goeggel said Stone’s decision was preceded by demonstrations, emails and online petitions, and letters to Gov. David Ige and Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell.
“We are delighted that Jeff Stone has made a formal commitment,” Goeggel said. “This is a major coup. We think it’s the beginning of the end for captive marine animals in the U.S. We hope this action encourages Dolphin Quest and Sea Life Park to follow suit.
Valerie King, general manager of Sea Life Park Hawaii, said the company has discussed the future of its dolphin program, but hasn’t taken any steps to discontinue its offerings.
“It’s a small group that has concerns. The Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums that we belong to estimates it’s only about 3 to 5 percent of the population,” King said. “A lot of people want an experience with the animals. We’re sold out all the time.”
Dolphin Quest did not immediately respond to a request for a comment.
King said Sea Life Park places a high priority on animal care and evaluates all valid concerns. However, she said parks where dolphins are well cared for might be the most appropriate place for people to encounter them.
“The (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) is concerned with the experience in the wild,” she said. “They are specifically concerned about boats in Hawaii, which may be disrupting the dolphins. “
Last August, NOAA proposed rules that “would prohibit approaching a Hawaiian spinner dolphin within 50 yards by any means including swimming, snorkeling or boating, within 2 nautical miles from shore.”
Animal Rights Hawaii supports the rule changes, which, if approved, would take effect this year.
