Kendall Brown enjoys an interactive dolphin swim at Sea Life Park Hawaii in Honolulu, Hawaii

Sea Life Park Hawaii Dolphin Swim

As I ungracefully paddled my way into the center of the salt water tank, I felt something move in front of me in the water. The theme song from Jaws briefly floated through my mind. I reached out to grab a flipper and was gently pulled through the water by a 450 pound dolphin.

My daughter had wanted to swim with a dolphin during our recent trip to Honolulu, Hawaii. Located in East Oahu, Sea Life Park Hawaii is about a 30 minute drive from Waikiki and has the only interactive in-depth program with dolphins on the islands of Hawaii.

Is it right for humans to hold animals captive for our viewing enjoyment?

As an animal and nature lover, I have an inner battle going on inside my brain when I visit animal parks, aquariums, wild life compounds and zoos. Is it right for humans to hold these animals and sea creatures captive for our viewing enjoyment and pleasure? While the answer to that question is a personal decision, I can tell you that places such as the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Sea Life Park Hawaii have a vested interest in the well being of their “family members.”

Interactive Dolphin Swim at Sea Life Park Hawaii

Our interactive dolphin swim was with Itsy Bitsy. Itsy Bitsy was born at Sea Life Park Hawaii, and at 32 years old, she is living longer than she would in the ocean. Itsy Bitsy, along with her companions, continues to provide “teachable moments” to children and adults about the different marine life and how we need to protect the ocean and their environment for future generations to come.

“If she didn’t want to interact with us,” said Sea Life Park Hawaii Dolphin Trainer, “she would swim away. It’s that simple. The dolphins enjoy the stimulation and interaction.”

Green Sea Turtles are a threatened species

Green Sea Turtles have been swimming in the world’s oceans for more than 200 million years.  The ancient Hawaiians called the Green Sea Turtles in Hawaii’s waters honu – the name that is still used today.  Many early Hawaiian legends tell stories that credit the honu as being the guides for the first voyagers to Hawaii.  Adult honu can measure more than three feet straight in length and weigh up to 450 pounds.  The sea turtles grow very slowly in the wild and typically don’t reach sexual maturity until they are around 25-30 years old. While the life span of the honu remains unknown, today the honu is regarded as a threatened species and is protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.  

Turtle Independence Day on the Big Island

Since 1989, Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows has received 3-5 month old juvenile honu (Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle) from Oahu’s Sea Life Park and has raised them in the saltwater ponds of the resort. The honu are cared for until they grow to a size and weight that is appropriate for release into the ocean.  Mauna Lani raises the honu for 2-3 years until they grow to a minimum shell length of 35 cm. The release occurs every July 4 at the ocean’s edge fronting Mauna Lani.  Over the years Mauna Lani has released 206 honu. 

The honu are gathered at the ponds before joining a procession down to the beachfront for release, proceeded by a Hawaiian ceremony.  The annual Turtle Independence Day celebration honors the honu and educates the public about the threatened Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles.

Have you visited Sea Life Park Hawaii? Have you participated in a turtle release or dolphin swim program? What are your favorite things to do in Honolulu? Leave a comment below.

If You Go:

Sea Life Park Hawaii 1 (808) 259-2500

41-41-202 Kalanianaole Highway #7
Waimanalo, Hawaii 96795 USA

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Article written by and video courtesy of Nancy D. Brown. I was a guest of Sea Life Park Hawaii and Oahu Visitors Bureau.

Posted by Nancy D. Brown

Iditarod Sled Dog Race Champion Jeff King of Denali Park knows how to pack for an Alaska winter vacation.

It’s winter and I’m wearing my Mukluks to break them in for my upcoming trip to Anchorage and Fairbanks, Alaska. Only problem is, I live in Northern California, so my two teenagers are giving me the look.

I’ve snow-proofed my Arctic Mukluks with water repellent and added the felt inserts to keep my feet toasty warm as I watch the start of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race and while I’m checking out the ice sculptures at the 2010 World Ice Art Championships in Fairbanks, Alaska.

My last trip to Anchorage and Fairbanks was August, 2009. A highlight of that trip was holding a sled dog puppy. Termination dust was just starting to blanket the hillsides. A sign that winter was on its way.

Early March I’ll be flying Alaska Airlines from San Francisco to Anchorage to watch the “Last Great Race on Earth” as a guest of Alaska Travel.

For all things Alaska, follow them on Twitter. Of course, I’ll be tweeting during my trip, as well. The Fairbanks CVB is on Twitter, too.

Prepare for wide temperature ranges during Alaska winter vacation

“In a winter trip to Alaska, you have to be prepared for a huge temperature range,” notes Lyle Croft of Fairbanks-based Apocalypse Design. “It can be 40′F above one day and -40′F the next. You worry about moisture at warmer temperatures as everything around is melting. Colder temperatures you want to stay warm.”

When Croft volunteers for the Yukon Quest, a dog-sled race in Fairbanks, he has multiple outfits for different temperatures, including different insulation levels of hats and boots. (Clearly this guy doesn’t need to worry about carry-on restrictions.)

How to pack for an Alaska winter vacation

• Layering is key.
• Synthetic is in – cotton is out.
• Long underwear – Cuddl Duds for me.
• Fleece Pants – mine are from Apocalypse Design
• Snow Bib – Apocalypse Design
• Moisture wicking t-shirts
• Long-sleeve shirts for layering
• Snow Parka – insulation levels vary – Apocalypse Design Alpine Parka Review
• Arctic Mitts – mine are from Steger Mukluks & Moccasins
• Smart wool socks - Icebreaker Merino Wool Sock Review
• Arctic Mukluks – Steger Mukluks Review
• Warm hat
• Bathing Suit – I’m going to Chena Hotsprings

The key to warm feet on Alaska winter vacation

Patti Steger of Steger Mukluks and Moccasins adds that, “flexibility, insulation and light weight are the keys to warm feet. If your hand are cold, you understand that with vigorous motion you will generate blood supply to warm them. That same principle applies to your feet. The colder it gets, the more flexible and insulated you must be.”

Have you been to Alaska in the winter? What have I left off my “How to pack for an Alaska winter vacation” list? Please leave a comment with your suggestions.

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Posted by Nancy D. Brown

Interview with Captain Henk Keijer of Holland America Line

 “Ladies and Gentlemen,” booms the voice over the PA system. “This is Captain Henk Keijer.”

Typically passengers don’t meet the captain of the ship unless they attend a ’cocktails with the captain’ party toward the end of the cruise.

Recently, I had the pleasure of meeting Captain Keijer mid-week on our seven day Alaskan Explorer cruise as a guest of Holland America Line.

When I heard his voice broadcasting through the Ms Westerdam cruise ship with an important message, I was not alarmed, but I knew something was up.

The September wind was blowing and the swells were picking up size as we were leaving Juneau, Alaska. Captain Keijer had decided to by-pass Sitka, our next port of call. Instead, he would guide our cruise ship up the protected and scenic Tracy Arm and was sharing the change of plans with the passengers.

Captain Keijer has spend 17 and one half years with Holland America Line and clearly enjoys his job. Originally from Holland, Keijer has traveled extensively and knew that he wanted to sail ships early on in his life. When he’s not piloting the Ms Westerdam, his days are spent in Seattle. His schedule is typically three months on and three months off the ship.

Margerie Glacier in Alaska as seen from Holland America Line MS Westerdam

 While I was interviewing Captain Keijer, the Margarie Glacier was calving in the background. I asked him if calving, or breaking off of the glacier, was a result of global warming.

“Calving is prefectly natural for glaciers,” explained Keijer. “It means that it is flowing, growing and advancing. If they stop calving, then there is a problem. That’s a bad sign,” concluded Keijer.

What are your favorite things to do in Alaska?

 I was a guest of Holland America Line. Photos by Nancy D. Brown

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