I have been working with Sea Life Park on Oahu for more than 20 years, and during that time I have developed a great working relationship with the park and the people who work there. I have watched Sea Life Park go through several transformations and different owners over the years, so the recent news that Hawaiian Council has acquired Sea Life Park definitely caught my attention.
On August 11, 2026, Hawaiian Council completed its acquisition of Sea Life Park from Herschend Family Entertainment. What makes this change especially interesting is that the 62-year-old park is now under Native Hawaiian stewardship for the first time in its history.
For me, this isn’t just another company buying another attraction. I think this could represent an important new chapter for Sea Life Park.
I am hopeful and excited to see what Hawaiian Council can do with the park, particularly when it comes to Hawaiian culture, the employees who work there, the guest experience and, most importantly to me, the animals and their care.
Sea Life Park Has Been Through Many Changes
Anyone who has been involved in the tourism and attraction business for a long time knows that nothing stays exactly the same.
Sea Life Park has changed ownership several times during the years I have worked with them. Some owners have brought new ideas, improvements and different ways of operating the park.
Then COVID-19 hit in 2020.
The shutdown was incredibly difficult for tourism businesses everywhere, and Hawaii was certainly no exception. Attractions, hotels, restaurants, tour companies and thousands of employees were affected. Even after businesses reopened, it wasn’t always easy to get everything back to the way it was before COVID.
Some tourism businesses recovered quickly. Others took much longer.
I have seen similar changes throughout the dolphin and marine attraction industry. One trend I find interesting is seeing more facilities become connected with local organizations rather than being managed as just one property in a very large worldwide portfolio.
There can be advantages to having a large company behind an attraction, but there can also be something special about local ownership and local decision-making.
People who live in the community understand the culture, people and traditions in a way that is difficult to duplicate from thousands of miles away.
That is one of the reasons I’m interested to see what happens next at Sea Life Park.
Who Is Hawaiian Council?
For visitors from the mainland who may not be familiar with Hawaiian Council, it is much more than a company that purchased a tourist attraction.
Hawaiian Council is a nonprofit organization supported by its members that works to strengthen Native Hawaiian communities through programs focused on culture, economic opportunity, community resources and greater local participation.
The organization is headquartered in Kapolei and is involved in programs such as financial education, access to capital, housing counseling, workforce development and support for communities throughout Hawaii.
What interests me most about the Sea Life Park acquisition is how that mission could become part of the park itself.
Hawaiian Council has said its long-term vision for Sea Life Park includes a greater emphasis on Native Hawaiian culture, marine science and education. Plans have also discussed native landscaping, cultural storytelling, educational programs, school partnerships and more opportunities for the local community to be involved with the park.
To me, that sounds like a very natural fit for Sea Life Park.
You’re standing in one of the most beautiful locations on Oahu, surrounded by mountains and the Pacific Ocean. What better place to teach visitors not only about dolphins, sea lions, turtles and other marine animals, but also about Hawaii’s relationship with the ocean?
What Could New Ownership Mean for the Animals?
This is probably the area I care about the most.
When you have worked around dolphins for more than 30 years, you understand how important good trainers, animal care specialists and veterinarians are.
Buildings can be renovated. Signs can be replaced. New attractions can be added.
But the heart of a marine park is its animals and the people who take care of them every day.
One of the encouraging parts of the acquisition is that the experienced animal care team is expected to continue its work at Sea Life Park, helping provide consistency in veterinary care, daily routines and animal husbandry.
That continuity is important.
These animal care professionals know the individual animals. They understand their personalities, diets, behaviors, medical histories and daily routines.
My hope is that Hawaiian Council will support these employees and continue investing in excellent animal care.
Animals have to come first.
If that happens while the park also adds more Hawaiian culture, conservation education and marine science, I think Sea Life Park could become an even more meaningful attraction for both visitors and local families.
What Could This Mean for Sea Life Park Employees?
Another encouraging part of the transition is that the park is continuing its daily operations and there have been no announced plans for major staff reductions.
Guests who already purchased reservations, memberships or annual passes should also be able to continue using them during the ownership transition.
That is good news.
Sea Life Park isn’t just buildings and dolphin pools. It is the trainers, educators, maintenance employees, guest-service employees, photographers, food-service workers and many other people visitors may never see behind the scenes.
Some of these employees have been connected with Sea Life Park for years.
Keeping experienced people while bringing in new ideas could be a very good combination.
Bringing More Hawaiian Culture Into Sea Life Park
This may ultimately become one of the biggest benefits of the change.
When someone travels thousands of miles to visit Oahu, I don’t think they want an attraction that could be located anywhere in the United States.
They came to Hawaii.
Visitors should know where they are.
They should experience Hawaiian culture, learn something about the islands and understand the importance of the ocean to the Hawaiian people.
That doesn’t mean changing everything about Sea Life Park. I think it means building upon what is already there and giving it more of a Hawaiian identity.
This is why local involvement can be so valuable.
When families ask me what to do in Oahu, I always encourage them to do more than simply sit at their hotel pool for a week. Enjoy Waikiki, see the beaches, experience the culture, explore the island and do something that your children will still be talking about years later.
Sea Life Park can be one of those experiences.
Make Swimming With Dolphins Part of Your Oahu Vacation
Of course, you probably knew I was eventually going to get to the dolphins!
If you’re planning your Hawaii vacation and wondering where to swim with dolphins in Hawaii, Sea Life Park on Oahu offers several different choices.
That’s something I really like about this park.
You don’t have to be a strong swimmer to meet a dolphin. You don’t even have to get into the water if you don’t want to.
There is something for almost everyone.
Dolphin Exploration – $300 Per Participant
If your dream is to swim with dolphins Oahu Hawaii, the Dolphin Exploration is the program I would look at first.
This is the most complete in-water dolphin experience at Sea Life Park. You spend approximately 30 minutes with the dolphins, with both shallow-water and deeper-water interaction.
It feels much more like you are actually sharing the water with the dolphins rather than simply standing next to a pool.
Participants must be 8 years old or older, and children ages 8–12 must participate with a paid adult at a one-adult-to-one-child ratio. The current $300 price also includes Sea Life Park admission, one printed photo, a souvenir cup and 10% off the retail store. Prices and inclusions can change, so always check the current program page before booking.
Book Your Dolphin Exploration
Dolphin Encounter – $230 Per Participant
Maybe you want to get into the water with a dolphin but aren’t comfortable swimming in deeper water.
That’s exactly why I like the Dolphin Encounter.
This is a non-swim, shallow-water experience where you stand in approximately waist-deep water while the trainers introduce you to the dolphins.
You’ll have opportunities for close interaction while learning more about how dolphins communicate, behave and work with their trainers.
The program is approximately 30 minutes with the dolphins and is currently $230 per participant for ages 4 and older. Children ages 4–7 need a paid adult participant with them at a 1:1 ratio. Park admission and one printed photo are among the current inclusions.
For families with younger children or people who don’t swim, this can be an excellent excursion in Oahu.
Book Your Dolphin Encounter
Dolphin Aloha – From $40 to $90
Don’t want to get wet at all?
Then take a look at Dolphin Aloha.
This is a poolside experience where you stay out of the water while getting an up-close introduction to Sea Life Park’s dolphins and their animal care team.
The experience is approximately 20 minutes and is open to children as young as age 1.
The current price is $90 for participants age 4 and older and $40 for ages 1–3. Park admission is included. Children ages 1–3 need a paid participating adult with them.
This can be especially good for families traveling with toddlers, grandparents, non-swimmers or anyone who wants the dolphin experience without changing into a bathing suit.
Book Your Dolphin Aloha
A New Chapter for Sea Life Park and Oahu
After more than 20 years of working with Sea Life Park, I have seen a lot of changes.
Some changes make you nervous.
Others make you curious.
This one makes me hopeful and excited.
I hope Hawaiian Council can bring more Hawaiian culture and local identity into Sea Life Park. I hope they continue supporting the experienced employees who have helped make the park what it is. And, above everything else, I hope the dolphins and all the other animals continue receiving excellent care.
If they can combine great animal care, marine education, Hawaiian culture and a memorable visitor experience, I believe Sea Life Park has a very bright future.
And if you are planning your Hawaii vacation and looking for what to do in Oahu, don’t forget to put a dolphin experience on your list.
Whether you want the full Dolphin Exploration, a shallow-water Oahu Dolphin Encounter, or the easy poolside Dolphin Aloha, there really is something for almost everyone.
I look forward to watching this next chapter unfold.
