© HIROKI NAGASAWA

“Auspicious Day - Ariya and 200 Dolphins”

© HIROKI NAGASAWA

Dolphins and You is pleased to announce the launch of our new tour vessel, Ariya, marking the fruition of a long-anticipated dream by Dolphins and You owner, Richard Holland, who chose the name Ariya in remembrance of his daughter, Ariya, who passed away 23 years ago.

© HIROKI NAGASAWA

© HIROKI NAGASAWA

Ariya’s debut was appropriately grand: she was to play a starring role in a Japanese television production following dolphins swimming in the open ocean.

The job was not without challenges: Dolphins and You usually operates in the waters off West Oahu, where there is more nature and few people. The television crew, however, had their eye on a location near crowded Waikiki and had a scheduling window of just four hours.

© HIROKI NAGASAWA

© HIROKI NAGASAWA

© HIROKI NAGASAWA

© HIROKI NAGASAWA

Ariya’s Captain Keith, a veteran of many dolphin voyages, was understandably skeptical about a dolphin encounter under these conditions but said, “I’ll do my best” and got Ariya underway with the camera boat following close behind. Ariya strove to impress, drawing the admiration of the Japanese crew as her advanced power plant ate up the miles to the location.

With the chances of a dolphin encounter being slim at best the film crew had come up with a back up plan of filming honu (sea turtles) which are a common sight in waters off Waikiki.

© HIROKI NAGASAWA

© HIROKI NAGASAWA

They need not have bothered. Just a few miles out, the crew was surprised to see Captain Keith pointing out at the horizon.

“DOLPHINS!”

At first, everybody thought that Captain Keith was playing a joke on them. They were only a few miles out after all and the area was full of tour boats, surfers and other unnatural elements that do not appeal to dolphins but Captain Keith turned Ariya about and reduced her speed.

© HIROKI NAGASAWA

© HIROKI NAGASAWA

Immediately, all were treated to the sight of five Spinner dolphins swimming directly toward Ariya. Soon, the rest of pod, appeared, one after the other, happily stitching the waves.

By the time the camera boat caught up, Ariya was, literally, surrounded by dolphins - an estimated 200 individuals!

The camera crew and reporter jumped into a blur of activity and were in the water in record time. They spent the next 30 minutes, moving slowly toward Diamond Head, filming dolphins jumping and playing in the crystal blue waters off Waikiki. The ultimate Dolphin Encounter.

© HIROKI NAGASAWA

© HIROKI NAGASAWA

© HIROKI NAGASAWA

© HIROKI NAGASAWA

© HIROKI NAGASAWA

When the director was satisfied and the crew were all back on board, the Japanese reporter faced the blue water and shouted a heartfelt “thank you so much!” to his new friends. As if in response, one of his acrobatic subjects shot out of the waves in a spectacular aerial display.

Truly Auspicious

This first charter could only be called, blessed. The fact that such a large pod of dolphins was almost immediately encountered in Waikiki in such a narrow window of time is almost beyond belief. It’s as though the dolphins came out just to meet Ariya to endorse her maiden charter.

© HIROKI NAGASAWA

© HIROKI NAGASAWA

Everybody was so happy and excited with this rare, nearly perfect shoot that when Ariya pulled into port the client’s crew joined hands with Ariya’s in prayer – with special thanks expressed to the dolphins, to the sea, and to Ariya and her crew.

Ariya’s very first clients, returned to their hotel with happy, satisfied smiles.

© HIROKI NAGASAWA

© HIROKI NAGASAWA

Later that day, Dolphins and You, president, Richard Holland, had an emotional revelation: August 23—the date of Ariya’s first charter—he realized, also marked the 23rd anniversary of the death of his daughter, Ariya. The fact that Ariya, had spent the day as a vessel baring luck, good fortune and joyful smiles while making possible a blessed encounter with a rare and beautiful species is a thing for which there are no adequate words.

© HIROKI NAGASAWA

Smooth sailing, Ariya!

© HIROKI NAGASAWA

© HIROKI NAGASAWA

Based on a true story.

Come and meet our Ariya in Oahu.

Doulphins and You

www.dolphinsandyou.com

www.irukahawaii.com

https://www.facebook.com/dolphinsandyou.jp

Text & Photo by Hiroki Nagasawa Aloha Branding

Translated by Coco.

http://alohabranding.com/

http://hirokinagasawa.com/

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