dolphin quest
 

has any one done the dolphin experience at the kahala mandarin hotel? I'm thinking about it for my 6 and 8 year old?

It's a very neat experience if you like dolphins. Just keep in mind that you don't actually get to swim with them. You get in the water....1 of them comes up to you....you get to pet him/her and maybe feed him/her....watch them do a few tricks....take a picture with them....and that's it.
Can your kids swim?? Parts of the pool where you're standing is about 8-10 feet deep. But they'll give you life jackets too.

You might consider learning about the process of how dolphins are captured (it's quite brutal), and what their lives are like in captivity, before participating in this. Here is a Humane Society link:

http://www.hsus.org/marine_mammals/w...t_century.html

If you want to swim with dolphins that have been captured and separated from their families, that have been forced to adapt to interacting with humans, that have been enslaved for our entertainment, by all means check out Dolphin Quest. But don't fool yourself that these dolphins are enjoying their lives. They are their against their will. The owner of DQ is a notorious dolphin hunter who we capture wild dolphins for the highest bidder. If you want to teach your kids a lesson in animal exploitation and domination then buy a ticket. Read up on dolphins in captivity, you will be enlightened. If you are the type of person who gives a crap you will find something less evil to support. Maybe a whale watching trip .

It tastes a lot like chicken.