Streets and squares in Dana Point Harbor renamed after Don Hansen, who inspired its whale-watching industry – Orange County Register

Don Hansen, credited for bringing whale watching to Orange County and the first person to start a business in Dana Point Harbor, is being recognized for his impact and commitment to greater public access to life in the ocean.

An 8-foot memorial sign will be added in honor of Hansen – he passed away last month at the age of 87 – on Dana Point Harbor Drive just off the Pacific Coast Highway, the City Council decided this week.

Donna Kalez, daughter of Hansen, who, with her brother Michael Hansen, runs Fishing and Whale Watching and Fishing at Dana . Wharf business started by her father. “Beautiful, he drives that road to the harbour every day. Meaningful so much; We cannot thank the city enough”.

The sign, decorated in sparkling blue with a whale tail, will be unveiled during this year’s 51st Whale Festival, an event Hansen started.

“He is important to past residents, current residents and those to come. Everything he did was important to Dana Point,” Mayor Joe Muller said of the desire of city leaders to find a way to honor Hansen and his contributions.

whale festival, usually attracts tens of thousands of people and includes a parade also started by Hansen scheduled for next month and will be dedicated to honoring its founder.

The Ocean Institute will host an opening ceremony on March 4, a harbor parade on March 5, and weekend events that will include whale watching trips, a street fair, a show art and a concert at Baby Beach.

Hansen, who ran a sport fishing company that he later thought to use to get people to watch whales, revitalized that industry in Orange County and gave people an experience on the water. water surface accessible to few people, was also recently remembered during a life celebration on January 28 at the Ocean Institute.

At the memorial, Orange County District 5 Supervisor Lisa Bartlett also spoke about renaming a street in the harbor after Hansen. However, with the cooperation of Dana Point Harbor Partners – is led a $330 million renovation of the harbor – Bartlett announced on Friday, February 18, that a harbor plaza will instead bear his name. She said it would mean something to Hansen’s family and benefit visitors to the harbor who can learn about his contributions.

“Don Hansen is synonymous with whale watching and sport fishing at Dana Point,” says Bartlett. “His passion for sharing his love of the ocean and these wonderful creatures with the residents and visitors has put Dana Point on the map and has left an indelible mark on our community. ”

The square, a popular gathering area where people wait to board whale watching boats and the Catalina Express, will be dedicated, along with a plaque detailing Hansen’s legacy, later and included in port rehabilitation. The area is bordered by Hansen’s Dana Wharf and Frisby Cellars business, Jon’s Fish Market, and Waterman’s Wharf.

Kalez said she and her family “love” the location of the square.

“Our family would like to thank Supervisor Bartlett for her constant support to ensure that our father’s memory is meaningful and to ensure that his legacy will live on forever through Hansen. Plaza,” she said.

Hansen was instrumental in promoting the port’s renovation along with other longtime harbor merchants, Bob Mardian of the Wind & Sea Restaurant and Jim Miller of Coffee Importers.

Bartlett said Hansen encouraged her over the years about wanting to see progress in her revival. The county signed an agreement with the developer group, which took over the harbor lease from the county, in 2018.

“It is important for visitors to know the story of Don Hansen, and much of what they see today in the harbor would not exist without him.” Bryon Ward, president of Burnham-Ward Properties and part of Dana Point Harbor Partners, said.

Another unrelated change to the harbor includes street names.

In December, the county Board of Supervisors approved a name change for the 750-foot Golden Lantern passage that crosses Dana Point Harbor Drive.

The section leading into the harbor will become Harbor Way.