As a naturalist and environmental educator, I am writing to promote awareness about another result of rampant tourism “development” that is harming our animals and environment.
Recently, I have seen literally dozens of tourists at Makua Bay patrolling the water in case dolphins showed up — and when they did, like a large pack of rabid dogs, the tourists literally chased the dolphins out of the bay, thereby violating the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The dolphins traditionally come to this bay to rest, and the sheer overabundance of people makes this impossible. Wild animals are NOT our toys.
Eighteen years ago when I lived near Ko Olina, we learned that a nearby hotel was sending tourists down there, and I can only imagine it’s worse now. Never, though, have I seen 100 people on that beach in one morning, starting at 6:30 a.m.
The overabundance of tourists in Hawaii is hurting everyone, especially our environment and animal life. If businesses think they are profiting in the short run, they won’t when Hawaii becomes so inhospitable that people stay away or when there are no more dolphins to harass. We need to become long-term thinkers in ALL things.
I was never in favor of a law prohibiting swimming with dolphins, but now I am. Between what I have seen on the Kona side and on Oahu’s leeward side, this issue is not being managed effectively by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) or the state Department of Lnd and Natural Resources. Indeed, I talked to representatives from those agencies, who are fully aware of the problem but say they lack the resources to do much. A NOAA rep said the agency has issued some tickets but can’t monitor very often. Tickets don’t really have much effect in the long run, though, because tourists just pay the ticket, go home then post their videos and photos online.
Something must be done to save these beaches and the animals that rely on these bays. NOAA says it hasn’t put up any signs about the MMPA and what not to do because the county worried about “liability” for the signs, despite the fact that the county has other hazards all over the place in the parking area.
NOAA says it has no money to get a volunteer coordinator and has made no effort to get a group of volunteers together to be there on the beach trying to educate the crowds, like they have for monk seals and turtles elsewhere.
Even if the dolphins could just swim away, they are being forced from their traditional resting grounds, and plenty of research has demonstrated that their behavior is negatively impacted by many people in the water and boats chasing them.
People, hotels and other businesses need to stop sending people down there, both for the good of the dolphins and for the tourists’ safety. People can view dolphins from a responsible dolphin- watching boat and usually have a much better experience since the dolphins often seek out boats for bow rides.
I would encourage those who care, to contact your congressional, state and county representatives and demand action and enforcement of the laws on the books — in addition to getting funding for educators at beaches where dolphins frequent to put the breaks on this unsustainable and harmful practice. Please also educate any tourists you see chasing dolphins. Let’s leave them alone.
Honokaa resident Jeanne Teleia is a licensed psychotherapist and life coach who also helps in Cetacean research and education here and abroad.
