Dolphin Quest Oahu - Honolulu, Hawaii - Programs for Swimming with Dolphins

One of three dolphin habitats operated by Dolphin Quest-the others being in Bermuda and on the Big Island of Hawaii-the Oahu venue features six Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. Here, visitors can have an unforgettable face-to-face encounter, touching, feeding, playing, learning and swimming with these gentle aquatic mammals.

The adventure takes place in the 26,000-square-foot natural lagoon of the Kahala Hotel & Resort, one of Honolulu's most luxurious properties. Emphasis is placed on education and the emotional context of being in direct contact with these beautiful sea creatures. Few come away from the experience without being touched in both the mind and the heart.

A number of different packages are available, ranging from the "Wee Family, Fins and Fun'' discovery program for toddlers to the new "Trainer for a Week,'' which allows the creation of an individualized experience with dolphins. Duration and prices vary greatly.

For example, the basic $220 Dolphin Encounter for participants aged 5 and older lasts 25 minutes. It includes meeting and touching the dolphins in the shallow waters of the lagoon, leading to supervised feeding and play. Masks are provided for viewing the animals underwater, and each encounter is unique, based upon the guests, trainers and dolphins. Personalized photos are available for purchase.

In the Dolphin Duo program, couples participate in an intimate encounter, swimming, interacting and taking photos with the dolphins for 45 minutes. The cost is $630 plus tax for each pair taking part, which includes the options of kayaking with the dolphins or joining in a special multispecies training exercise.

Other programs are geared for families, such as the Kids' Aquatic Adventure and the Family Swim Program. The Trainer for a Day or Week programs allow guests to observe and assist in the routines of dolphin care, typical in the life of a trainer. Extended encounters are also available, and most programs are offered daily.

As participants soon learn, no two dolphins are exactly alike and they each have their own personalities. Hoku, whose Hawaiian name means "Star,'' was born in the lagoon in 1991 and enjoys tactile attention as well as learning new behaviors, much like 13-yearold Liho ("Precious'').

Four of the lagoon residents were born at Dolphin Quest Hawaii on the Big Island. Niele ("Nosey'') is relatively small and spent time at Sea Life Park before transferring here; Kolohe ("Rascal'') is usually the first to try new things.

The other two, Nainoa ("Wanderer'') and Kainalu ("Ocean Wave''), are half-brothers, sharing the same father, Hobi. They are aged 11 and 12, respectively, and it is easy to tell them apart. Nainoa has a chocolate-colored topside, while Kainalu likes to get attention by splashing people.

As an accredited member of the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums, Dolphin Quest makes every effort to see that each encounter is as safe as it is memorable. Participants must be able to follow directions, move about freely within the water environment, and handle heat, humidity, direct sun exposure and wind. For guests with special needs, such as wheelchair access, special arrangements can be made.

Dolphin Quest Oahu is located at the lagoon of the Kahala Hotel & Resort, 5000 Kahala Ave Honolulu, HI 96816-5498. It can be reached from the airport or downtown Honolulu by taking the H-1 Freeway east to Waialae Avenue Exit 26B, and turning right onto Hunakai Street to Kahala Avenue, which ends at the resort. Hawaii residents may be eligible for a kama'aina rate-15% off on all dolphin programs-subject to availability.