Dolphins don’t belong in resorts

Plans in the works for the luxe Atlantis Resort project in West Oahu no longer include mention of swimming-with-dolphin activities — and that’s a good thing.

In a letter issued last week, Ko Olina master developer Jeff Stone, who had pursued a captive dolphin permit in early planning days, called such activities “dated concepts” and out of sync with “Ko Olina’s kuleana to look after our ocean resources, including the mammals and sea life that inhabit the waters.”

Does this mark the beginning of the end for swimalongs, shows and exhibits featuring captive marine animals in Hawaii? Established businesses will likely stay put, but the move signals that any proposed new venture will be opposed by animal advocate groups and others seeking to phase out the inclusion of captive animals in any business.

While demand for the activities and attractions appears to be strong among animal-loving visitors, organizations such as the Humane Society of the United States, which describes itself as a mainstream voice for animals, argues that for a marine mammal, tanks and lagoons are prisons — “a mere shadow of what life would be like for them in the wild.”

In recent years, a group called Animal Rights Hawaii has protested at Sea Life Park as well as at Dolphin Quest operations on Oahu and Hawaii island, stressing a captivity-equals-cruelty message. While Sea Life Park offers educational programs and maintains a seabird sanctuary it also stages shows and interactive programs involving dolphins, sea lions and penguins that lean toward a sort of amusement park entertainment.

Both Sea Life Park and Dolphin Quest offer swimming-with-dolphins activities, as does Atlantis The Palm, Dubai. Last month, when China Oceanwide Holdings Ltd. released details about its plan to develop 26.3 acres it purchased at Ko Olina Resort, the scope of the Atlantis-branded project was described as similar to the Dubai resort, which includes a waterpark, an aquarium, a dolphin encounter area and sea lion park among other amenities.

To clarify matters, the Chinese company is now saying that Atlantis Resort &Residences Ko Olina, which is slated for roughly 800 hotel rooms and 524 residences, will have a waterpark and an aquarium, but no dolphin or sea lion attractions.

Regardless of whether the decision to scrap the captive-dolphins concept was prompted by animal welfare concerns or an effort to avoid a public relations headache, it was a smart move. That’s because Hawaii’s residents are becoming more protective of marine life and less tolerant of old-school practices, such as hauling wild animals here for the sake of entertainment.

Hawaii is poised to become the first state in the nation to prohibit importing about two dozen species of wild animals from use in circuses and fairs.

And last month the National Marine Fisheries Service wrapped up public-comment period for a proposed rule to “prohibit approaching a Hawaiian spinner dolphin within 50 yards by any means including swimming, snorkeling or boating, within 2 nautical miles from shore.” The federal agency says the nocturnal dolphins are being deprived of rest during the day and becoming stressed out by popular near-shore swimming-with- dolphins tours.

Cathy Goeggel, president of Animal Rights Hawaii, notes that Stone’s letter about doing without dolphins was preceded by her group making noise with demonstrations, emails and online petitions, and letters to Gov. David Ige and Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell. She now hopes Sea Life Park and Dolphin Quest will “follow suit.”

That’s unlikely as both established businesses point to high customer demand and assert that animal care is an ongoing high priority. But the effort of animal advocate groups and others to continually weigh what is presented as educational and entertaining against what could be exploitative serves as a valuable check for Hawaii residents as our perspective on caring for wildlife continues to evolve.