A funding request for Ocean Park sparked vigorous debate in the Legislative Council, with park executives stressing that should the facility close, it would take with it Hongkongers' collective memories.
Seeking legislators' support, Ocean Park deputy chairman Lau Ming-wai also emphasized that the park will steer away from funfair-style rides and the like to refocus on conservation as its core theme.
Indeed, marine life used to be the park's main interest. It turned to rides to maintain appeal only because it seemed like it had to.
Back in the day, the park also staged many animal shows. The most memorable performances were by killer whale Hoi Wai, the moniker being the winning entry of a public naming competition staged on her behalf.
The star of the park, Hoi Wai was very popular and was invited to appear on television shows and in movies.
She performed for park visitors for almost two decades before dying of a sudden illness a few months before the handover.
After Hoi Wai's death, the park had planned to groom a new star, either by getting another killer whale or a beluga whale - seen as just as appealing.
But that plan did not come into fruition because many in the community frowned upon using captive creatures in shows.
As a result, the park started to rely more heavily on rides as attractions.
The skeleton of a whale is installed at the tip of the Shek O headland outside the HKU Institute of Marine Science, and some people believe it to be the remains of Hoi Wai.
But experts have pointed out that the skeleton is much too long for a killer whale. Besides, Hoi Wai's carcass should have been cremated in line with Ocean Park's usual procedure.
So thinking that Hoi Wai's remains are on the seashore for her to gaze at the ocean for eternity is probably just a romantic fantasy on the part of those who miss the former star of Ocean Park.
Siu Sai-wo is publisher of Sing Tao Daily
