Park Profile
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12-month operation “Also, there’s no down time at Sea Life Park. The fact that we’re open year-round means we remodel and build while we’re open. We do as much as we can after closing hours, but that’s considerably more expensive than daytime labour rates.”
The food facilities were updated with the opening of the spacious, patio-style Sea Lion Café in 2011. Its success gave Sea Life Park the confidence to enter into one of its most profitable enterprises, and a must for any visitor to the islands: a luau (Hawaiian-themed party/feast). The park contracts out for the entertainment (Hawaiian musicians and hula girls), but otherwise the food is catered in-house as an expansion of the Sea Lion Café. “We started in 2012 offering luaus three nights per week, and it was so popular that we now offer it four nights per week,” details Pupillo. “In fact, we’re the only luau in Hawaii where the pig you see roasting in the pit is the one you actually eat.”
What a setting! Locals vs
tourists With such strong tourism in Hawaii, only 30% of Sea Life Park’s attendance is local. While the locals don’t participate in the interactive animal programmes as much as the other visitors, it is the educational side of Sea Life Park they pursue. “This is a great place for kids to learn, and to see and appreciate just how Sea Life Park contributes to our ecology,” notes general manager Jerry Pupillo. “Our greatest contribution is with sea turtles. We have 500-700 hatchings a year that we release into the ocean.”
“There’s been a lot to do, and our budget is strict,”
Pupillo concedes, “so we have to be creative with our upgrades, picking and choosing carefully. Our current emphasis is updating the facilities, softening the former institutional look, making such changes that customers may notice but don't really think about.”
Indeed, old concrete buildings and outdated restroom facilities are what cause customers to review any amusement park as “old” and “run-down.” Sea Life Park has added simple, affordable touches like painting the walkway curbs blue, which against the green plentiful flora, maintains an aquatic feel throughout the park. Asphalt walkways have been re- paved and highlighted with coloured tile. Purchasing supplies is another challenge. “Hawaiian locals can tell you that one of the disadvantages of living here is the cost of receiving parts from the Mainland US, or from anywhere. For example, we needed new garbage cans, but the shipping cost was almost $400 per can. So again we got creative, stripping down our old cans and covering them with vinyl outdoor advertisement wrap similar to those used on commercial vehicles.” They look like bright, brand-new waste receptacles, user- friendly and park-friendly, and money was saved.
A luau, plus interaction with sharks, rays, sea lions, and dolphins; after all that, what is the greatest advantage that Sea Life Park has over other similar attractions? Like the legendary original oceanarium, Marineland Of The Pacific in Southern California (1954-1987), Sea Life Park is appropriately at the source: the ocean. Watching a dolphin show or enjoying a luau with a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean as a backdrop, creates an unforgettable experience. In fact, guests spend a considerable part of their four-hour stay just walking the cliffside path that borders the park, enjoying the view. “We have plenty of space to expand,” Pupillo says,
“but unlike some of the other animal parks, we won’t be adding rollercoasters or thrill rides.” He glances eastward at the infinite expanse of water. “The Pacific Ocean itself is our greatest draw. Sea Life Park is in a strong position, guest-wise and location-wise, to do whatever we need to do.”
sealifeparkhawaii.com
Gary Kyriazi is the author of The Great American Amusement Parks, and the writer/producer of America Screams, the first pictorial history and television special about American amusement parks. He has been a researcher and historian on American amusement parks for over 40 years.
These vinyl wrapped trash cans saved almost $400 each in shipping costs on new ones
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Surfing dolphins against the Pacific Ocean
Jerry Pupillo (right) in conversation with Gary Kyriazi FEBRUARY 2014
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