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Dolphin Quest
Ginny Maceda prepares to kiss dolphin Hoku at the
Kahala Mandarin Oriental during its Children's
Dolphin Discovery program.

Children and
dolphins -- a
splashing mix

By Nancy Arcayna
Special to the Star-Bulletin

THE adventure for four children began in the reef pool. The dinner bell rang and "Hootie the Blowfish" was the first one on the scene to grab a snack. The hungry fish kept coming back for more, amusing the keiki.

Animal behaviorist Dielle Havlis next led the children to Iki and Nui, the 2-year old Hawaiian green sea turtles, who gobbled up their offerings of lettuce.

The keiki, participants in The Children's Dolphin Discovery, seemed excited as Havlis pointed out that they were older than the turtles. "They can live to be 100 years old," she explained.

Offering another bit of information, 9-year-old Alexandra Maceda said, "Turtles are green because they eat so many green things."

Earlier, Havlis taught the group that green is the color of the creatures' body fat due to eating algae.

Dolphin Quest
Carl Von Harmon holds the Hoku's mouth open for
Alexandra Maceda, who reaches for a hands-on encounter
with the mammal as Ginny Maceda, left, watches.

The group was at the Kahala Mandarin Oriental to participate in its Children's Dolphin Discovery program. The 30-minute program takes place at 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily, offering an interactive educational experience for keiki ages 5 to 12, who are allowed to touch, feed, play with, and in the process, learn about dolphins, sea turtles and other ocean creatures.

"We don't like to say swim with the dolphins," says Dolphin Quest Supervisor Justin Viezbicke. Otherwise some people think, "I'm going to ride on the dolphins."

Because the comfort of the animals is of primary importance, face-to-face encounters may not always be available.

"This is a new program," he said. "We want the animals to feel comfy."

He said that the program's goal is to educate the next generation about the ocean and its inhabitants, while stressing the need for environmental caretakers.

Of course the highlight of the program is the possibility of a face-to-face encounter with the dolphins. Viezbicke said the dolphins are prepared for interaction by reinforcing comfort. Much like a dog in the home, they learn to associate behavior with hand signals through operant conditioning.

At the dolphin tank, animal behaviorist Karl Von Harmon introduced 8-year old Hoku, an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin.

The children were taught simple hand gestures that would get Hoku to respond to them. A "shaka" greeting led Hoku to respond by waving her flipper.

Harmon then started a splashing match between Hoku and the children. By moving their arms in a J-shape, they caused Hoku to take off splashing.

"I liked the salute that made her jump," said 11-year old Mikey Maceda.

Hoku definitely deserved some treats for her feats. Harmon distributed some munchies to the children with some words of caution. "A dolphin has 88 teeth. Hold the fish in one hand and dangle it under the water."

Hoku gracefully and gently claimed her treats from the kids. Five-year old Monica -- whose father did not want her last name used -- licked her fish before offering it to Hoku, only to exclaim, "I'm not hungry."

Initially timid about touching the fish in the reef pool, she now strolled through the water using a fish head as a finger puppet.

The children got to touch the dolphin and rub her belly. "I liked tickling the dolphin," said Alexandra. In addition to touching the dolphin, the children learned more about the animals and how to protect them in the wild.

"Dolphins swallow their food whole ... that's why we don't want to pollute the oceans," said Von Harmon. He gave a mini lesson on recycling, cutting up plastic soda ring holders and explaining the importance of preventing plastics, balloons and other debris from getting into the ocean.

The children received a big aloha from Hoku as they waved goodbye. She waved back using her tail. The children also got the opportunity to give Hoku hugs and kisses. Well, at least the girls did.

"I just thought it was gross!" said Mikey, explaining why he didn't kiss the dolphin. His 7-year-old sister Ginny said kissing the dolphin was her favorite part of the program. "I like dolphins," she said.

Go outside What: "The Children's Dolphin Discovery," sponsored by Dolphin Quest Oahu, for keiki 5 to 12 When: 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily Where: Kahala Mandarin Oriental Hotel Cost: $75 children; $95 adults Call: 739-8918 for reservations Also: Adult dolphin encounters are available daily at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. for ages 13 years and older. The hands-on experience begins in the shallow water and participants can don face masks in the deeper parts of the lagoon Note: Because the comfort of the animals is of primary importance, face-to-face encounters may not always be available, and this may not be determined until you are on the premises.

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