Skip to content

Maui Whale Festival is fun for the entire family!

Each year since 1980, Pacific Whale Foundation puts on the Maui Whale Festival, a series of events throughout the month of February to celebrate and educate about the marine animal they have been working for the past 40 years to protect – the humpback whale. There are plenty of fun and educational activities for you and your keiki to enjoy!  

Run & Walk for Whales 

Feb 1, 7am-11am 

This a great physical activity that the entire family can participate in, including babes in strollers! Choose between several mostly level, easy-to-follow courses with beautiful scenic views of both the ocean and mountains – 1 mile, 5K, 10K, or 10 mile. Post-race activities include awards, music by Marty Dread, and a discounted whalewatch. 

Whale Day and Parade of Whales 

Feb 8, 9am-3pm 

This year, PWF has partnered with Whale Trust, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary and Division of Aquatic Resources, DLNR to bring back the famous Whale Day and Parade! You and your keiki can watch the parade as it travels from Kamaole 1 to Kalama, where the free Whale Day activities will be taking place, beginning at 10am. Explore Hawaiian culture with hula performances from halaus across Maui Nui, visit local non-profits and play games that teach about their organization’s work, enjoy a performance by the Banana Slug String Band, race your whale in the Wild & Wonderful Whale Regatta for prizes, and, in the keiki zone, find more games related to science and marine life, a DJ with interactive games, bubble machine, and hula lessons! 

 

Keiki Concert Cruises 

Feb 9 & 15 

Keiki cruise for free with an adult (1 FREE keiki with every paying adult) on these special concert cruises, featuring the Banana Slug String Band Sunday, February 9 and Uncle Wayne & The Howling Dog Band Saturday, February 15. Let your keiki rock out to music created just for them! 

Maui Whale Festival Library Performance with Uncle Wayne & The Howling Dog Band 

Feb 14, 10:30am

Can’t make either of the Keiki Concert Cruises? Enjoy a special performance at the Kihei Public Library by Uncle Wayne and the Howling Dog Band free of charge!

World Whale Film Festival 

Feb 14, 7pm-10pm 

Your high schooler might just be inspired by a night out filled with powerful films about ocean and wildlife conservation around the world, with one submission made by students their own age. Grab some delicious food from one of our invited vendors and make this a dinner and a show you won’t soon forget.   

Great Whale Count  

Jan 25, Feb 29, & March 28, 8am-12pm 

Encourage your child (middle schooler and up recommended) to participate in scientific research as a citizen scientist. Volunteers count whales at 12 survey sites along the shoreline of Maui as part of a long-term survey of humpback whales in Hawaii that provides the PWF Research department with a snapshot of trends in relative abundance of whales.