Beached dolphin on Maui snubs rescue efforts

By Timothy Hurley
Advertiser Maui County Bureau

MA'ALAEA, Maui — Marine officials are hoping to save a spinner dolphin that washed up near the Grand Wailea Resort yesterday morning and apparently refused to return to the ocean.

The dolphin, described as having only superficial injuries, was taken to the Maui Ocean Center in Ma'alaea, where it was being held in a 25-foot pool.

Margaret Akamine, protected species program coordinator with the National Marine Fisheries Service, said officials hope to rehabilitate the adult animal and take it back to the ocean. But chances are not good, she said, because the species is notorious for being fragile in captivity.

"We're always hopeful, but you have to be realistic," Akamine said. "We're going to give it our best effort."

The 6-foot dolphin first came ashore at or before 9:30 a.m., when hotel and ocean activities employees tried to guide it back into the ocean five times, said David Matilla, research coordinator with the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. But each time it refused.

Matilla was part of the Hawaiian Islands Stranding and Response Group team that showed up about 10 a.m. and decided to take the dolphin 300 yards offshore.

"But it swam purposefully and strongly back to the beach," he said. "Clearly, something was wrong with it, but there was nothing external."

Next, the decision was made to transport the animal to the Maui Ocean Center. Dr. Greg Massey, a state veterinarian, evaluated and treated the dolphin before it was hauled by trailer to the Ma'alaea aquarium, Matilla said.