News Archives

November, 2002

Preliminary steps taken to ban the display of captive dolphins and whales in Maui

Maui's reputation as an eco-tourist's dream, an island of natural wonders where dolphins and whales are free to swim in the ocean's blue waters without ever having to face life in captivity, was upheld as the Maui Town Council moved unanimously to approve the passage of HSED 16, a bill to ban the exhibition of captive dolphins and whales on the island. The Council's decision came on the heels of a public hearing that offered overwhelming support for the ban. Activists are hopeful that final passage of the bill will take place when the bill is presented again in early December.

The proposed bill seeks to ban the display of dolphins and whales in Maui, thus ensuring that outside ventures such as Sea World, new hotel resorts and aquariums cannot bring their captive displays to the island. The bill was initially proposed to block the relocation to Maui of the Kewalo Basin Marine Mammal Laboratory.

Maui is proud of its tradition of respecting nature and hopes to join the many other communities worldwide that have already enacted similar bans. The town council's decision to support HSED 16 is a big step towards that goal.