Dolphin MAUI COUNCILWOMAN Jo Anne Johnson's bill to prohibit the exhibition of dolphins and whales on Maui has run into opposition from scientists at the Kewalo Basin Marine Mammal Laboratory.
researcher on Oahu
startled by bill
introduced on Maui
A proposed ban on exhibiting
dolphins could thwart his
lab's planned move thereBy Leila Fujimori
lfujimori@starbulletin.comIf passed, the bill may prevent the dolphin research lab from moving to a proposed Maui park as planned.
"The bill ... would label the Maui County Council as anti-education and anti-research," said Lou Herman, its director and a University of Hawaii professor.
He said the Kewalo lab "is not and never has been a commercial exhibition of performing dolphins, as opponents would have you believe."
Johnson introduced the bill to the Maui County Council on Tuesday, and it was referred to the Council's Human Services and Economic Development Committee.
The bill would prohibit exhibiting captive cetaceans (dolphins and whales), making it a misdemeanor punishable by a maximum fine of $1,000 or a year's imprisonment or both.
Johnson said she does not want to see dolphins in captivity.
"I don't want to see the potential for that kind of abuse," she said.
"Part of the criticism had been, if it is for pure research, why is the commercial element required?" Johnson said.
"I think if it is for purely research purpose and there is no commercial element of exhibition, then that should be able to go forward, if that's what the purpose is," she said.
Johnson said she proposed the bill based on comments from the public, the Humane Society and worldwide organizations, and to reflect laws in other countries.
The dolphin lab wants to move from its .25-acre site at Kewalo to five or six acres in the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation's 29-acre science and education park in Kihei.
The Maui Nui Park would have a 1-acre dolphin lagoon, two islands and a waterfall to provide a stimulating environment for research and education, Herman said.
Herman said he thinks certain individuals against the lab's relocation may be behind the proposed bill.
He named Gregory Kaufman, head of the Pacific Whale Foundation, as one of the individuals spearheading opposition to the lab's move.
Herman questioned Kaufman's motivation, saying the Pacific Whale Foundation's main revenue comes from its whale-watching business.
Kaufman admitted he is opposed to captivity of dolphins and whales, but he could not take credit for Johnson's bill, which he said he first heard about Monday.
"The idea of putting these free animals in concrete tanks in name of profit, science or entertainment is archaic," Kaufman said.
But, he said, "For him (Herman) to target us is paranoia."