Waipahu student discovers the art and science of marine stewardship
The ocean has always been a second home for Waipahu sophomore Lotus M-W. She spent her childhood catching waves and has always wanted to become a marine biologist. Now Lotus is into that working world thanks to HTA’s Career-Based Learning program.
Last semester, Lotus spent her Saturdays working under the mentorship of a Marine Mammal Specialist at Dolphin Quest where she went behind the scenes and learned the realities of the field firsthand. She quickly discovered that for every moment spent with the dolphins, there are hours of meticulous preparation, data tracking, and specialized care.
One of the most eye-opening aspects of her experience was the sheer precision required for daily husbandry. Feeding time is not simply tossing fish into the water, but a calculated science. Lotus prepped precise nutritional pouches for each individual dolphin and even assisted with medical hydration and “jello” feedings — a technique used to keep the dolphins satisfied without overfeeding them during back-to-back program days.
And training isn’t solely reserved for the largest residents of the lagoon — one of Lotus’ most impactful days was working with Kaha, a resident pufferfish. She assisted in match training, where the trainer holds up two different objects and uses a clicker to reward Kaha when he successfully identifies the correct one.
“Training isn‘t just about the tricks people see,” Lotus says. “It’s about building a relationship and stimulating their minds, no matter the size of the animal.”
The technical prep eventually paved the way for moments of pure excitement on the platform. After weeks of shadowing, Lotus got to perform the hand motions herself, signaling the dolphins to spin, flip, and breach. She even got a taste of their playful defiance — like when Kolohe lived up to his name by purposely doing the wrong trick just to see her reaction.
“I actually got to do the tricks with them,” she says giddily, recalling the adrenaline of seeing her favorite dolphin, Lono, launch into the air on her cue. “I still can’t believe I got to really work with them.”
While Lotus mastered the silent signals used in the water, the internship also pushed her to grow in her vocal, professional communication. When guests asked about the dolphins’ health and happiness, Lotus had to overcome her natural shyness to become an advocate for the animals, learning how to respond with empathy and knowledge.
“I was really nervous at first,” she admits. “I had to learn how to communicate effectively with people who were genuinely curious.”
As she looks toward studying marine biology at UH or UCSD, Lotus credits Dolphin Quest with solidifying her trajectory. Her internship proved that a career in marine biology is about far more than just being near the water — it’s about the responsibility of stewardship and the confidence to share that mission with the world.
