OUCH! Sea Life
Park hosts benefit
belly flop contest

Star Bulletin Staff

Sea Life Park Hawaii will celebrate the holiday season with a huge splash.

In addition to the popular Belly Flop & Cannonball competition, internationally acclaimed escape artist Michael Griffin will perform daily Dec. 19 through Jan. 3.

Griffin, known as the "Master of Escape," will perform three different underwater escape acts daily during the two-week event. He will award $1,000 to anyone in the audience who can tie a knot he cannot undo.

Griffin's escapes earned him the International Magic Award for Best Escape Artist in 1993.

A portion of all entry fees for belly floppers and cannonballers will be donated to the Lokahi Tree/Community Clearing House. The competition will be held on weekends beginning Dec. 19, with the finals taking place on Jan. 3. Each competitor will be weighed in and charged 5 cents per pound.

The competition will determine the Top 3 finalists in four categories: high school, men's, women's and corporate/military divisions. Finalists go on to compete for more money and prizes.

Judging will be based on the biggest splash, loudest flop, funniest costume and enthusiasm. Entry forms can be picked up at Sea Life Park Hawaii's ticket office or call 531-4602.

To celebrate the holidays, Sea Life Park Hawaii will offer kamaaina and local military rates. General admission is $12 (12 years and over) and 5 cents per pound for children ages 4 to 12.

A portion of all entrance fees for children will be donated to the Lokahi Tree/Community Clearing House, an organization dedicated to helping those in need by providing financial assistance and material goods.

Call 259-7933.

Classes scheduled

Sea Life Park Hawaii also offers a variety of classes for adults and children to learn about sea life and the ocean environment through February.

Visitors can find out if seals snooze or if dolphins doze during the Park's Moonlight Tours on full-moon nights in December and February. You can also hear Polynesian legends retold under the stars.

Moonlight Tours will take place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 4 and 5, and Feb. 26. Cost is $7 for adults; $5 for children (ages 4 -12).

Toddlers, ages 1 to 5, and their parents can navigate through Sea Life Park as part of the Preschool Pirates program from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays on Dec. 9, Jan. 13 and Feb. 10. The preschoolers will get to meet some park residents, including turtles, penguins and sea lions. The cost is $15 for each toddler and parent team.

Most class fees include same-day admission to Sea Life Park. A 20-percent discount on classes is available to annual pass holders.

For information on other classes or to make reservations, call 259-6476.