Hawaiian Council buys Sea Life Park after six decades of operation
The nonprofit acquired the Waimanalo attraction from Herschend Family Entertainment in August and plans to integrate Native Hawaiian cultural values into its programming.
By Diego Mendoza ·
Local families and visitors to Waimanalo will see changes at Sea Life Park following its sale to a Native Hawaiian nonprofit. The Hawaiian Council purchased the facility from Herschend Family Entertainment in August, ending more than 60 years of ownership by the previous operator. This transition shifts the park's management from a commercial entertainment firm to a community development organization.
The new ownership structure aims to align the park's operations with Native Hawaiian values. Christina M. Leos, who previously led the park, has returned as general manager to oversee this transition. She stated that the council's stewardship allows the organization to view the park through a different framework. This approach prioritizes responsibility to the animals, the ocean, and the local community.
The Hawaiian Council is integrating the park into its wider mission through its tourism division, Kilohana. The nonprofit uses this division to invest in projects that uphold Hawaiian culture and protect natural resources. The acquisition represents a specific step in expanding Native Hawaiian leadership within the state's tourism sector.
Operational plans include upgrades to animal habitats and the guest experience. The new leadership intends to incorporate Native Hawaiian culture, mo'olelo, and 'ike more deeply into educational programs. Leos emphasized that the park will continue to focus on discovery and connection with marine life. She noted that preserving the sense of education and wonder remains a priority as the facility evolves.
The park's historical status as a family destination is acknowledged by the new management. Icons such as Fat Freddie the penguin and the wholphin, a cross between a killer whale and a bottlenose dolphin, have been part of local memories for decades. The goal is to retain these elements while expanding the park's role as a resource for schools and residents.
The facility is designed to serve the Waimanalo community with expanded events and educational opportunities. Leos hopes that visitors will leave with a greater respect for the animals and the shared responsibility to care for them. The park remains open along the Waimanalo coastline as it begins this new phase under nonprofit control.
