The Deaths Of Sea Life Park Hawaii
Facilities holding marine mammals for exhibition in the USA are legally required to report all births, deaths, and acquisitions of marine mammals to National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). This information is used to compile the Marine Mammal Inventory Report (MMIR) and it is publicly available upon request through the Freedom Of Information Act.
We’ve attached a recent (January 2022) copy of the Marine Mammal Inventory Report that you can download below. You can also request the most recent version of the report through the Freedom Of Information Act here.
You may notice that some "Cause Of Death" entries are missing or written as “pending” despite taking place years ago. Sadly, NMFS doesn't enforce this specific information so the "Cause Of Death" frequently goes unreported.
Since Sea Life Park was opened before the creation of the MMIR, the births, deaths, and wild captures prior to this are not included in this report. With the help of CetaBase, we've compiled additional animals that were referenced in studies, the original animal trainer's memoir, and news articles. All can be found in a list with their sources below. Stranded animals are not included in this list as they arguably could have already been in poor health when arriving at the park.
It's also very likely that there are even more animals that went unreported.
FALSE KILLER WHALES: 11
NOA0000187- Makapu’u- Wild captured, died of “Granulomatous Pneumonia & Septicemia”
NOA0000188- I’anui- Wild captured, died of “Vasculitis/Non-Suppurative Encephalitis”
NOA0000189- “Ahunalu #1”- Wild captured, died of Pneumonia
NOA0000190- Ola- Wild captured, cause of death (COD) listed as “Other”
NOA0000191- Olelo- Wild captured, COD listed as “Other”
NOA0000192- Tita- Wild captured, COD listed as “Other”
NOA0000372- Makapuu’s Calf (1986)- Captive bred, died at less than two years old of “Pancreatic Necrosis”
NOA0000412- Pono- Wild captured, died of Chronic Infection
NOA0000413- Maluhia- Wild captured, died of Bowel Torsion
Kina- Wild captured from the Iki Island drive fishery
Kaena- 1964, Wild captured Hawai’i Source
MELON-HEADED WHALES: 3
12. NOA0000193- Lahaole Makamai- Wild captured, died of Aneurysm
13. NOA0000194- Kahuna Kai- Wild captured, COD listed as “Other (Undetermined)”
14. NOA0000195- Mahukona- Wild captured, COD listed as “Other (No information available)”
SHORT-FINNED PILOT WHALES: 9
15. NOA0000222- Kilakila- Wild captured in Hawai’i, died of Generalized Necrosis
16. NOA0000223- Holokai 1- Wild captured in Hawai’i, COD listed as “Other (No information available)”
17. NOA0000224- Holokai 2- Wild captured in Hawai’i, COD listed as “Other (No information available)”
18. NOA0000225- Nubs- Wild captured in Hawai’i, COD listed as “Other (No information available)”
19. NOA0000226- Unnamed- Wild captured in Hawai’i, COD listed as “Other (No information available)”
20. NOA0000227- Unnamed- Wild captured in Hawai’i, COD listed as “Other (No information available)”
21. NOA0000228- Unnamed- Wild captured in Hawai’i, COD listed as “Other (No information available)”
22. NOA0000229- Wahinana- Wild captured in Hawai’i, COD listed as “Other (No information available)”
23. Unnamed- Wild captured off O’ahu on May 5, 1965, died one and a half months later, COD details in source Source
PANTROPICAL SPOTTED DOLPHINS: 11
24. NOA0000231- Unnamed- Wild captured in Hawai’i, COD listed as “Other (No information available)”
25. NOA0000232- Unnamed- Wild captured in Hawai’i, COD listed as “Other (No information available)”
26. NOA0000233- Makamae- Wild captured in Hawai’i, COD listed as “Other (No information available)”
27. NOA0000234- Ilima- Wild captured in Hawai’i, COD listed as “Other (No information available)”
28. NOA0000235- Mokunani- Wild captured in Hawai’i, COD listed as “Other (No information available)”
29. NOA0008001- Unnamed- Wild captured in Hawai’i, COD listed as “Other (No information available)”
30. Hoku- 1963, Wild captured in Hawai’i Source
31. Kiko- 1963- Wild captured in Hawai’i Source
32. Lei- 1964- Wild captured in Hawai’i Source
33. Kalihi- 1964- Wild captured in Hawai’i Source
PYGMY KILLER WHALES: 3
34. NOA0000236- Unnamed- Wild captured in Hawai’i, died of Respiratory Infection
35. NOA0000237- Unnamed- Wild captured in Hawai’i, COD listed as “Other (No information available)”
36. NOA0000238- Unnamed- Wild captured in Hawai’i, COD listed as “Other (No information available)”
SPINNER DOLPHINS: 36
37. NOA0000243- Unnamed- Wild captured in Hawai’i, COD listed as Capture Related
38. NOA0000244- Nani- Wild captured in Hawai’i, COD listed as “Other (No information available)”
39. NOA0000245- Kelekele- Wild captured in Hawai’i, COD listed as “Other (No information available)”
40. NOA0000246- Unnamed- Wild captured in Hawai’i, COD listed as “Other (No information available)”
41. NOA0000247- Laka- Wild captured in Hawai’i, COD listed as “Other (No information available)”
42. NOA0000248- Puka- Wild captured in Hawai’i, COD listed as “Other (No information available)”
43. NOA0000249- Alii- Wild captured in Hawai’i, COD listed as “Other (No information available)”
44. NOA0000250- Pikake- Wild captured in Hawai’i, COD listed as “Other (No information available)”
45. NOA0000251- Moana- Wild captured in Hawai’i, COD listed as “Other (No information available)”
46. NOA0000252- Unnamed- Wild captured in Hawai’i, COD listed as Died At Capture
47. NOA0000253- Akamai- Wild captured in Hawai’i, COD listed as “Other (No information available)”
48. NOA0000254- Pukoo- Wild captured in Hawai’i, COD listed as “Other (No information available)”
49. NOA0000255- Tita- Wild captured in Hawai’i, COD listed as “Other (No information available)”
50. NOA0000256- Waimea- Wild captured in Hawai’i, COD listed as “Other (No information available)”
51. NOA0000257- Kamai- Wild captured in Hawai’i, died of Fibrinous Pericarditis & Pleuritis
52. NOA0000258- Nohea- Wild captured in Hawai’i, died of Killed By Another Dolphin
53. NOA0000259- Kahe- Unknown origin, died of Chronic Hepatitis
54. NOA0000260- Maile- Wild captured in Hawai’i, died of Hepatosis; Cholangitis & Pancreatitis
55. NOA0000261- Komohana- Wild captured in Hawai’i, died of Liver Failure
56. NOA0000262- Haole- Wild captured in Hawai’i, COD listed as “Other (No information available)”
57. NOA0000263- Pomokai- Wild captured in Hawai’i, died of Hepatitis
58. NOA0000264- Mahealani- Wild captured in Hawai’i, died of Heart Failure
59. NOA0000266- No Name- Wild captured in Hawai’i, died of Pancreatitis
60. NOA0000267- Pamakani- Wild captured, died of Enterotoxemia
61. NOA0000268- Tiare- Wild captured in Hawai’i, died of Drowning
62. NOA0000269- Mo’o- Wild captured in Hawai’i, COD listed as “Jumped Out”
63. NOA0000270- Auwaha- Wild captured in Hawai’i, died of “Trauma”
64. NOA0000271- Kahiku- Wild captured in Hawai’i, died of Anemia
65. NOA0000272- Lilinoe- Wild captured in Hawai’i, died of Parasites
66. NOA0000273- Apiki- Wild captured in Hawai’i, died of Pneumonitis
67. NOA0000274- Lioele- Wild captured in Hawai’i, died of Cholangitis, Chronic, Parasitic
68. NOA0000276- Kehaulani’s Calf- Captive bred, died of “Trauma” at 3 days old
69. Mele- 1963- Wild captured in Hawai’i Source
70. Moki- 1963- Wild captured in Hawai’i Source
71. Stillborn- 1971- Source: Births At Sea Life Park- Ridgeway Source
72. Miscarriage- 1973 Source
HYBRID (WHOLPHIN): 5
73. NOA0000210- Mamo- Captive bred, died at 8 months old of “Other (No information available)”
74. NOA0000366- Laka’s Baby (1985)- Stillborn
75. NOA0000411- Pohaikealoha- Captive bred, died at less than 8 years old of “Other (Post Mortem Results Pending Histology & Cultures)”
76. NOA0006429- Kekaimalu’s Calf (2007)- Captive bred, died at 1 month old of “Other (Pathology Pending, No Significant Findings; Abnormal Gross Adrenal Gland Architecture)”
77. NOA0000400- Kekaimalu’s Calf (1990)- Captive bred, died at 8 days old of “Other(Malnutrition, Possible)”
ROUGH-TOOTHED DOLPHINS: 8
78. NOA0000209- Malia- Wild captured in Hawai’i, died of Hepatitis/Possibe Bacterial Etiology
79. NOA0000213- Unnamed- Wild captured in Hawai’i, died of Septicemia
80. NOA0000214- Hou- Wild captured in Hawai’i, COD listed as “Other (No information available)”
81. NOA0000215- Maa- Wild captured in Hawai’i, COD listed as “Other (No information available)”
82. NOA0000216- Mahina- Wild captured in Hawai’i, COD listed as “Other (No information available)”
83. NOA0000217- Makalani- Wild captured in Hawai’i, COD listed as “Other (No information available)”
84. NOA0000218- Mailohi- Wild captured in Hawai’i, COD listed as “Other (No information available)”
85. NOA0000219- Makana- Wild captured in Hawai’i, died of Intestinal Bacterial Infection
BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS:
86. NOA0000197- Kaiwi- Wild captured in Hawai’i, died of Respiratory Arrest
87. NOA0000198- Hokulele- Wild captured in Hawai’i, died of Pulmonary Insufficiency
88. NOA0000199- Apo- Wild captured in Hawai’i, died of Pneumonia
89. NOA0000200- Hanauma- Wild captured in Hawai’i, COD listed as “Other (No information available)”
90. NOA0000201- Kamoana- Wild captured, COD listed as “Undetermined(Pending Histopathology Findings.)”
91. NOA0000202- Mikimiki- Wild captured in Hawai’i, COD listed as “Other (No information available)”
92. NOA0000204- Kaulana- Captive bred, died at 6 years old of Enterotoxemia & Food Poisoning
93. NOA0000205- Noenoe- Wild captured in Hawai’i, COD listed as “Other (No information available)”
94. NOA0000206- Keiki- Wild captured in Hawai’i, COD listed as “Other (No information available)”
95. NOA0000207- Kaipo- Wild captured in Hawai’i, COD listed as “Other (No information available)”
96. NOA0000277- Amiko- Wild captured, COD listed as “Other(Cardiac Failure, Pulmonary Edema, Pending Histopathology Results)”
97. NOA0000278- Ilima- Wild captured (pregnant at time of capture in Mississippi/Gulf Of Mexico), died of Pneumonia
98. NOA0000279- Punahele- Wild captured in the Gulf Of Mexico, died of Cardiomyopathy; Gastric Neoplasm
99. NOA0000280- Mikioi- Wild captured, died of Heart Disease(Heart Failure Pending Results Of Histopathology)
100. NOA0000281- Kaleo- Captive bred, died at 47 years old of Severe Hemochromatosis, Squamous Cell Carcinoma
101. NOA0000283- Kanewai- Wild captured, COD listed as “Other(Undetermined)”
102. NOA0000284- Kainui- Wild captured, COD listed as “Other(No Information Available)”
103. NOA0000285- Pupuka- Wild captured, COD listed as “Other(No Information Available)”
104. NOA0000286- Ilima’s Calf- Born in captivity, mother was pregnant during capture, died at 10 days old of“Other(No Information Available)”
105. NOA0000288- Ponimoni- Wild captured, died of Heart-Mural Thrombosis & Focal Myocard
106. NOA0000289- Itsy Bitsy- Captive bred, died at 35 years old of Acute Severe Pulmonary Effusion
107. NOA0000290- Keola- Captive bred, died at 28 years old of Chronic Pulmonary And Renal Disease, Senility
108. NOA0000340- Apo’s Calf (1980)- Captive bred, died at 8 days old of Malnutrition
109. NOA0000341- Ipo- Wild captured, COD listed as “Other(Undetermined)”
110. NOA0000342- Kaiko’o- Captive bred, died at 40 years old of Heart Disease (Reported As "Cardiovascular Disease")
111. NOA0000343- Pa’akiki- Wild captured, COD listed as Euthanasia
112. NOA0000354- Kaula- Wild captured, died of “Severe Pulmonary Hemorrhage & Necrosis”
113. NOA0000355- Laukani- Wild captured, died of “Dystocia”
114. NOA0000356- No Name- Wild captured, died of “Acute Pneumonia”
115. NOA0000357- Kawai- Wild captured, COD listed as “Other (Not Reported)”
116. NOA0000358- Okoa- Wild captured, died of Pneumonia
117. NOA0000359- Uila- Wild captured, died of “Acute Bacterial Infection”
118. NOA0000371- Lauwa’e- Wild captured, died of Pneumonia
119. NOA0000382- Paakiki’s Calf (1988)- Captive bred, died at two weeks old of “Inadequate Nutrient Intake”
120. NOA0000384- Lauwae’s Calf- Captive bred, died at twenty days old of “Debilitation”
121. NOA0000391- Maui- Captive bred, died at 31 years old of “Liver Disease (Pituicytoma, Severe Hepatic Hemochromatosis (Cirrhosis)”
122. NOA0000409- Pa’akiki’s Calf (1991)- Captive bred, died at three days old of Multifocal Diffuse Moderate Pneumonia
123. NOA0000410- Poliahu- Captive bred, died at 19 years old, COD listed as “Other(Not Reported)”
124. NOA0000415- Nihoa- Wild captured, died of Brain Hemorrhage
125. NOA0000417- Lauwae’s Calf (1993)- Captive bred, died at 16 days old of Congestive Heart Failure
126. NOA0000418- Punahele’s Calf (1994)- Captive bred, died at 21 years old of Pleuropneumonia; Pending Final Results Of Histopathology
127. NOA0000419- Maka- Wild captured, died of Fungal Encephalitis
128. NOA0000939- Unnamed- Captive bred, died of Abortion/ Premature/ Stillbirth
129. NOA0005039- Boris- Captive bred, died at 32 years old of Lung Disease(Pulmonary Edema, Pending Histopathology Results)
130. NOA0006317- Hi’iaka’s Calf/Lupita- Captive bred, died at 6 years old of Complications To Foreign Object Ingestion; Histopathology Pending
131. NOA0006370- Poliahu’s Calf (2007)- Captive bred, died at 7 days old of Failure To Thrive; General Organ Failure; Histology Pending
132. NOA0006573- Naia’s Calf (2006)- Captive bred, died at one day old, COD listed as “Other (Lived Only 5-6 Minutes)”
133. NOA0006574- “Polianu’s Fetus”- Captive bred, died at one day old, COD listed as “Abortion/ Premature/ Stillbirth”
134. NOA0006575- “Iti Biti’s Fetus”- Captive bred, died at one day old, COD listed as “Abortion/ Premature/ Stillbirth”
135. NOA0006576- Waiohakaupo- Captive bred, died at less than two months old, COD listed as “Other(SuddenDeath, Pending Histopathology Results)”
136. NOA0006784- Hi’iaka’s Calf (2012)- Captive bred, died at less than nine days old, COD listed as “Acute Distress Secondary To Maternal Trauma”
137. Laukani’s Calf (2003)- Captive bred, stillborn, mother died while giving birth. Source
138. Kane- 1963 Source: Lads Before The Wind
139. Makua- 1963 Source
141. Eha- Wild captured off O’ahu on May 5, 1965 Source
142. Apo’s Calf (1972) Source: Births at Sea Life Park (Ridgeway)
143. Apo’s Calf (1974) Source: Births at Sea Life Park (Ridgeway)
144. Pupuka’s Calf (1974)- Source: Births at Sea Life Park (Ridgeway)
Compiled with the aid of Animal Rights Hawaii and CetaBase.
