Pacific Whale Foundation

[Previous] \| [Next]				(Back To News) \| (Printer friendly)
This humpback whale was photographed on October 9.

The Humpback Whales are Back in Maui! 10/10/2008
The humpback whales are back in Maui --- and Pacific Whale Foundation has a photo to prove it. The photo was snapped on Thursday, October 9 by Captain "CJ" Clint Kostak of the Ocean Quest, at around 1:00 p.m., during Pacific Whale Foundation's Lanai Wild Dolphin & Snorkel Eco-Adventure. The cruise was on its way back to Maui at the time. The humpback whale was a solitary humpback whale, located about two miles off the coast of Maui, near the resort area of Kaanapali. The passengers enjoyed the unexpected bonus of watching the humpback whale, which milled about, not swimming in any particular direction. Captain CJ was able to photograph the whale as it lifted its tail flukes to dive beneath the sea. The October 9th whale sighting was not the first reported sighting of the season. On Wednesday, October 8, the first humpback whale sighting of the season off Maui's coast was reported by the staff of the Expeditions Passenger Ferry. There were also earlier reports of whale sightings off the Big Island. "Many people think this is early for the first whale sighting, but that's not really the case," commented Greg Kaufman, President and Founder of Pacific Whale Foundation. "This is the third year in a row that we've had the first sighting of the season during this time in October," said Kaufman "In 2007, the first sighting was reported on October 7; the year prior, it was on October 11, and this year, it was October 8." According to Pacific Whale Foundation's records, the first sighting of 2005 took place on November 11. In 2004, the first Maui whale sighting was on October 23. The first sighting of 2003 took place on October 21 and the first sighting of 2002 occurred on November 3. The first sighting of 2001 was on October 31. Prior to that, first sightings were on September 16, 2000; September 30, 1999; and October 13, 1998. The humpback whales that come to Hawaii travel a distance of about 2,500 to 3,000 miles from their summer feeding areas near Alaska. While in Hawaii, the whales mate and give birth. The whales don't arrive at once, but rather flow in and out of Hawaii's waters throughout the winter, often with the greatest number of whale sightings during the months of February and March. A recent scientific paper published by Pacific Whale Foundation showed that a male humpback whale was sighted in both Hawaii and Mexico during the same winter season. Hawaii is the nation's primary mating and calving grounds for the endangered humpback whale. Hawaii is also home to the only National Marine Sanctuary dedicated to the endangered humpback whale, the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Although the population of North Pacific humpback whales is thought to be increasing at a rate of 5% to 7% each year, the whales’ numbers are still below their original pre-whaling days levels. They are listed as endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Pacific Whale Foundation is planning a workshop on Thursday December 18, to help boat operators learn about the “Be Whale Aware” guidelines to prevent collisions with humpback whales. A copy of the guidelines can be downloaded at www.pacificwhale.org or by clicking here. Copies are also available at Pacific Whale Foundation’s Ocean Stores at The Harbor Shops at Ma’alaea and at 612 Front Street in Lahaina. The December 18 workshop will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Pacific Whale Foundation's Discovery Center in Maalaea. Pacific Whale Foundation will be celebrating the return of the whales to Maui with the Welcome Home the Whales Celebration Cruises on Saturday, November 29. The cruises take place from both Lahaina and Maalaea Harbors. For information and reservations, call (808) 249-8811 ext. 1 or 1-800-942-5311. You can also reserve online by clicking here. For those gearing up for whalewatching this winter, Pacific Whale Foundation is offering a new moneysaving Whale Pass. Holders of the Whale Pass can enjoy multiple whalewatches throughout the season, for as little as $9.80 per cruise. The Whale Pass is offered in five sizes: the 10 Whale Pass, which entitles the bearer to10 whalewatch cruises, the 20 Whale Pass, which entitles the bearer to 20 whalewatch cruises, on up to the 50 Whale Pass, which enttles the bearer to 50 whalewatch cruises with Pacific Whale Foundation. The bearer may choose those whalewatch cruises anytime during the 2008-2009 season, between November 15, 2008 through May 15, 2009. The Whale Pass is available for sale through December 1, 2008. To purchase one, call 1-800-942-5311 or (808) 249-8811 ext. 1. To learn more, call Pacific Whale Foundation at 808-249-8811 or at 1-800-942-5311 from the U.S. Mainland or neighbor islands, or click here. Pacific Whale Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting appreciation, understanding and protection of whales, dolphins, coral reefs and our planet's oceans. We accomplish this by educating the public -- from a scientific perspective -- about the marine environment. We support and conduct responsible marine research and address marine conservation issues in Hawaii and the Pacific. Through educational ecotours, we model and promote sound ecotourism practices and responsible wildlife watching. To learn more, visit www.pacificwhale.org.
				[Previous] \| [Next]

This humpback whale was photographed on October 9.

The Humpback Whales are Back in Maui!

10/10/2008