For many Hawaii visitors, spotting a dolphin feels like a highlight—or even a spiritual moment. Spinner dolphins are frequently seen near shore, and they’ve become a fixture on boat tours, Instagram feeds, and swim-with experiences. So when one ends up stranded on a beach, it’s not surprising that people want to get close or try to help.
But that instinct can backfire. What feels like compassion could put you at risk. The latest warning isn’t just about marine protections—it’s about your safety.
Federal laws already make it illegal to touch or approach dolphins and whales. UH scientists say there’s a more urgent reason to keep your distance: stranded animals may carry a dangerous bacteria that can infect humans.
A wave of unusual dolphin strandings on Oahu.
Over just seven days in June, three striped dolphins washed ashore in separate events on the island’s east side. All three were infected with Brucella ceti, a bacterium that can jump from animals to humans, causing serious illness if left untreated.
Researchers at the University of Hawaii at Manoa say this may be the most urgent warning yet from the ocean’s health sentinels. It comes at a time when dolphin sightings and interactions have become a highlight of many Hawaii vacations.
Where and when it happened.
According to UH’s Health and Stranding Lab, two dolphins were found on consecutive days—June 7 and 8—in Waimanalo, and the third was discovered on June 15 in Waianae. All of them were deceased when retrieved, and cultural practitioners were present to advise UH teams during the response.
The scientists emphasize that three strandings in a week likely represent only a small fraction of what’s happening offshore. Many more dolphins may have died and sunk or drifted out to sea without being found. “Dolphins and whales are recognized sentinels of ocean health and give us signs and signals about what’s happening out there,” said lead researcher Kristi West.
The hidden risk to humans.
Brucella ceti is a marine-adapted version of a bacterial disease that has long been known to infect livestock and terrestrial mammals. But in recent years, it’s been confirmed in multiple marine species worldwide—and now, researchers are warning that Hawaiian waters are seeing a more virulent strain.
The bacteria can lead to flu-like symptoms, chronic joint pain, and even neurological complications in humans. The risk comes primarily through direct contact—touching the animal or handling fluids from a stranded carcass.
Visitors unfamiliar with these risks may approach beached dolphins with good intentions, not realizing they could expose themselves to a zoonotic disease. UH scientists are now urging residents and visitors to avoid contact and instead report sightings to the NOAA marine mammal hotline at 1-888-256-9840.
An evolving disease in Hawaiian waters.
UH researchers published findings in May 2025 in the Journal of Wildlife Diseases, confirming the presence of Brucella ceti in at least seven species of stranded marine mammals between 2000 and 2024. These included sperm whales, spinner dolphins, pygmy killer whales, and a Longman’s beaked whale. Many of those animals had additional viral infections, including morbillivirus and herpesvirus, suggesting a compromised immune response.
Most alarming, however, is that scientists recently isolated a previously unidentified strain of Brucella ceti from these Hawaiian strandings. The new variant appears more aggressive and is suspected to have caused the June events on Oahu.
Work is ongoing, funded through a Zoonotic Disease Initiative grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources.
Why this matters beyond dolphins.
Dolphins and whales aren’t just ocean icons but early warning systems. Scientists call them sentinel species because what happens to them often hints at deeper trouble in the ecosystem. When they’re getting sick, it’s time to pay attention.
If marine predators in Hawaii show widespread infection, it could signal bigger problems offshore—pollution, warmer water, or even pathogens crossing over from land-based sources.
And for Hawaii visitors, this adds a new layer to beach safety. It’s not just sunburns or strong currents anymore. Getting too close to wildlife might carry risks that no one considers until it’s too late.
What to do if you see a stranded dolphin or whale.
If you come across a stranded dolphin or whale in Hawaii, don’t try to help physically—no matter how tempting it might be. Touching the animal or getting too close could put your health at risk.
Instead, call NOAA’s statewide marine mammal hotline at 1-888-256-9840.
If possible, note the animal’s location, time, and condition. A photo taken from a safe distance can be useful, but please don’t approach.
UH researchers say most strandings are never reported. Even partial sightings help them understand what’s happening offshore, so speak up if you see something.
Connecting this to past wildlife risks.
Hawaii’s marine life continues to amaze visitors, but sometimes, it surprises in other ways, too. Over the past year, Beat of Hawaii readers have shared stories about close encounters with monk seals and even rare sea snake sightings. In one case, Hawaii Visitors Warned: Three Deadly Sea Snake Sightings in Past Year sparked a lively discussion about the fine line between wonder and risk.
The recent dolphin strandings are part of that same conversation. These moments remind us that getting too close—even with good intentions—can carry consequences. Hawai‘i’s ocean is still full of magic, but it asks for space.
A moment to shift how we think about wildlife.
For years, Hawaii has offered the dream of spotting dolphins in the wild—sometimes even swimming alongside them. But moments like this remind us that the ocean isn’t a theme park. It’s alive, changing, and not always safe to touch.
These strandings are more than isolated incidents. They’re signals. And for visitors drawn to Hawaii’s ocean life, they come with a clear takeaway: admire from a distance, and let the experts handle the rest.
Have you ever encountered a stranded dolphin or other marine animal in Hawaii? What did you do—or what would you do? Let us know in the comments.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
What’s going on in the waters around Hawaii?
I am glad that I never saw a stranded dolphin. That would be so sad. Thanks for providing the hotline # which is now in my phone. Let’s hope that this type of work will still be funded, since the current US President doesn’t care about the environment and has already cut funds to protect it. We can’t wait 3 years because the damage will be too great.