Education before Regulation
An important goal of the HDI in 2017 was to produce a document which effectively communicated the Irresistible Agreement between all stakeholders. This was completed at the end of 2017. Many, many stakeholders chose to engage in the process and provided valuable input.
The poster to the right represents the result after endless meetings and discussions during 2017. The How to Swim with Aloha poster has been enthusiastically endorsed by many community Elders including Joan Ocean, Doug Hackett and Trish Regan. It is also very closely aligned to the relevant parts of the MMPA which refer to human-dolphin interaction. We are thus of the opinion that provided all swimmers adhere to these guidelines, there should be peace and harmony at each of the bays. You may print copies to distribute as educational material to visitors who wish to swim with dolphins. Click here to obtain a PDF copy for your own purposes. |
Respectful Hawaiian Spinner Dolphin Swimming
As a group, we set out to determine how humans could respectfully swim with dolphins in the wild. Most of us are swimming from shore, so we have not yet addressed issues that solely relate to boat operators.
Showing respect is important not just for the dolphin culture, but also for the Hawaiian culture and for the other swimmers.
Regulation means law enforcement from megaphones, yelling at swimmers, and motorized vehicles in the midst of resting dolphin pods – all of which may do more harm than good for all involved.
We discovered that agreement on respectful swimming behavior depends on the cultural beliefs and the dynamic circumstances, since it can be difficult to distinguish what is “chasing” and what is simply “swimming” with a dolphin. We are aware that some Hawaiians believe that swimming with dolphins itself is disrespectful, whereas other Hawaiians believe that swimming with dolphins is part of their family history. How these behaviors are perceived by those on shore can further muddy the water. For example, some shore spectators have been known to say that the dolphins are just “sleeping” in the bays and never want to be interrupted. In the water, it often becomes clear that dolphins regularly approach humans for interaction such as playing the leaf game. We propose a field of agreement among our community and all the parties in interest as to dolphin swimming given the information we currently have and be open to change as more information is discovered.
From practical experience, we found that NOAA’s 50 yard recommendation is neither desirable nor enforceable. Dolphins have inserted themselves within 50 yards of a swimmer within seconds. Such a rule, therefore, would practically force all swimmers out of the bays whenever dolphins are present. The new recommended rule also precludes ALL swimming with dolphins, not just “harassment,” “annoyance” or “pursuit.”
Our proposal is to ask swimmers to “Float.” That means, when we see a dolphin underwater, we stop swimming and simply float. We do not even want to APPEAR to pursue them. We allow them to approach us and if approached, may interact quietly and respectfully without touching. We may participate in the leaf game, for example. However, we do not dive down onto quietly resting dolphins. See the more descriptive guidelines to follow in educational materials.
We intend that by implementing a local community plan to educate everyone on the field of agreement, and self-regulate swimming rather than rely on law enforcement as the first remedy.
Our Plan . . .
Educational Poster at Each Bay
1) We are creating an educational poster to be displayed prominently at each of the Kona bays where dolphins are frequently seen. Creating cooperative relationships with the local Hawaiians who know these bays as their home has become paramount to our vision of success. It will also aid in implementation, such as where to place the poster.
2) Similarly, we intend to ask the authorities such as DLNR how the posters could support their mission to enforce the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
3) The content of the poster would be short, simple, easy to read and attractive. It will include images like the graphic of the dolphin rest cycle so tourists understand why the dolphins have come to the bay. It will include pictures of “good” and “bad” swimming techniques so tourists who speak any language can understand.
Dolphin Swim Brochures
A more detailed brochure will be created to provide education about Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins to tourists and locals. It will be given out freely at educational kiosks on site and other strategic places such as boat and tour operators.
Educational Workshops, Kiosks & Videos
On site kiosks with volunteer staff will offer information and workshops to educate swimmers for dolphin interaction.
Additionally, a short video will be produced to educate all on dolphin swim guidelines and will be instrumental in clearly demonstrating what is and is not appropriate swim behavior.
These videos will be shown freely in educational kiosks at each of the bays and provided to boat operators as well as retreat leaders to share with their guests. Guests who have completed watching the video may purchase an identifying wrist band showing support for respectful dolphin interaction.
A great example of this approach is Reef Teach at Kahalu Beach. We intend to partner with organizations such as this. We will work with boat, retreat and tour operators to customize the video and educational materials for their specific needs.
Community Participation
We intend to include local artwork from children and community participation to create interest and attractiveness to the educational materials and kiosks. We believe that private individuals will host the kiosks on their land or provide a mobile kiosk to avoid having to involve local authorities for signage, etc.
Community Enforcement
When education is promoted BEFORE swimming, enforcement will be less necessary. Community volunteers known as Dolphin Ambassadors and/or paid staff will wear identifying swim shirts, nametags and bracelets. They will be trained to educate the guidelines and encourage people to follow them with aloha. They would be IN the water with the swimmers or on paddle board (not motorized vehicles) so as not to disturb the dolphins.
Community Dispute Resolution
Instead of calling NOAA’s hotline every time we see someone swimming disrespectfully, we will take three steps:
STEP 1 - Ask that person to change their behavior. This request will be done with aloha and kindness. We will be trained on such techniques so that the community feels safe.
STEP 2 - If that does not change the behavior, then the person involved will be invited to resolve the concern via mediation with the Elders who will be contacted at [email protected]. Pono means to make things right.
STEP 3 - If Elder intervention is not successful or appropriate, the authorities such as DLNR will be contacted to enforce the law.
As a group, we set out to determine how humans could respectfully swim with dolphins in the wild. Most of us are swimming from shore, so we have not yet addressed issues that solely relate to boat operators.
Showing respect is important not just for the dolphin culture, but also for the Hawaiian culture and for the other swimmers.
Regulation means law enforcement from megaphones, yelling at swimmers, and motorized vehicles in the midst of resting dolphin pods – all of which may do more harm than good for all involved.
We discovered that agreement on respectful swimming behavior depends on the cultural beliefs and the dynamic circumstances, since it can be difficult to distinguish what is “chasing” and what is simply “swimming” with a dolphin. We are aware that some Hawaiians believe that swimming with dolphins itself is disrespectful, whereas other Hawaiians believe that swimming with dolphins is part of their family history. How these behaviors are perceived by those on shore can further muddy the water. For example, some shore spectators have been known to say that the dolphins are just “sleeping” in the bays and never want to be interrupted. In the water, it often becomes clear that dolphins regularly approach humans for interaction such as playing the leaf game. We propose a field of agreement among our community and all the parties in interest as to dolphin swimming given the information we currently have and be open to change as more information is discovered.
From practical experience, we found that NOAA’s 50 yard recommendation is neither desirable nor enforceable. Dolphins have inserted themselves within 50 yards of a swimmer within seconds. Such a rule, therefore, would practically force all swimmers out of the bays whenever dolphins are present. The new recommended rule also precludes ALL swimming with dolphins, not just “harassment,” “annoyance” or “pursuit.”
Our proposal is to ask swimmers to “Float.” That means, when we see a dolphin underwater, we stop swimming and simply float. We do not even want to APPEAR to pursue them. We allow them to approach us and if approached, may interact quietly and respectfully without touching. We may participate in the leaf game, for example. However, we do not dive down onto quietly resting dolphins. See the more descriptive guidelines to follow in educational materials.
We intend that by implementing a local community plan to educate everyone on the field of agreement, and self-regulate swimming rather than rely on law enforcement as the first remedy.
Our Plan . . .
Educational Poster at Each Bay
1) We are creating an educational poster to be displayed prominently at each of the Kona bays where dolphins are frequently seen. Creating cooperative relationships with the local Hawaiians who know these bays as their home has become paramount to our vision of success. It will also aid in implementation, such as where to place the poster.
2) Similarly, we intend to ask the authorities such as DLNR how the posters could support their mission to enforce the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
3) The content of the poster would be short, simple, easy to read and attractive. It will include images like the graphic of the dolphin rest cycle so tourists understand why the dolphins have come to the bay. It will include pictures of “good” and “bad” swimming techniques so tourists who speak any language can understand.
Dolphin Swim Brochures
A more detailed brochure will be created to provide education about Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins to tourists and locals. It will be given out freely at educational kiosks on site and other strategic places such as boat and tour operators.
Educational Workshops, Kiosks & Videos
On site kiosks with volunteer staff will offer information and workshops to educate swimmers for dolphin interaction.
Additionally, a short video will be produced to educate all on dolphin swim guidelines and will be instrumental in clearly demonstrating what is and is not appropriate swim behavior.
These videos will be shown freely in educational kiosks at each of the bays and provided to boat operators as well as retreat leaders to share with their guests. Guests who have completed watching the video may purchase an identifying wrist band showing support for respectful dolphin interaction.
A great example of this approach is Reef Teach at Kahalu Beach. We intend to partner with organizations such as this. We will work with boat, retreat and tour operators to customize the video and educational materials for their specific needs.
Community Participation
We intend to include local artwork from children and community participation to create interest and attractiveness to the educational materials and kiosks. We believe that private individuals will host the kiosks on their land or provide a mobile kiosk to avoid having to involve local authorities for signage, etc.
Community Enforcement
When education is promoted BEFORE swimming, enforcement will be less necessary. Community volunteers known as Dolphin Ambassadors and/or paid staff will wear identifying swim shirts, nametags and bracelets. They will be trained to educate the guidelines and encourage people to follow them with aloha. They would be IN the water with the swimmers or on paddle board (not motorized vehicles) so as not to disturb the dolphins.
Community Dispute Resolution
Instead of calling NOAA’s hotline every time we see someone swimming disrespectfully, we will take three steps:
STEP 1 - Ask that person to change their behavior. This request will be done with aloha and kindness. We will be trained on such techniques so that the community feels safe.
STEP 2 - If that does not change the behavior, then the person involved will be invited to resolve the concern via mediation with the Elders who will be contacted at [email protected]. Pono means to make things right.
STEP 3 - If Elder intervention is not successful or appropriate, the authorities such as DLNR will be contacted to enforce the law.