Hawaii blog | Pacific Whale Foundation

Whale Tales – Stories from Across the Sea by a PWF Naturalist

Maui is certainly one of the most spectacular places in the world to watch humpback whales in their breeding grounds. But when those of us in Hawaii bid these animals aloha in the spring as they journey north to their feeding grounds, a few PWF naturalists follow suit and head to other parts of the…

Naturalist Spotlight: Maddie Buresh

Hawaii

“So what brought you out here? And … how? How did you do it?”

We get this question a lot. Many folks are fascinated by the steps it takes to become a Pacific Whale Foundation certified Marine Naturalist. Our naturalists are college grads from all over the country – Minnesota, Kansas, California, Idaho,…

Marine Biologist & Mai Tai Maker: My Life as a PWF Marine Naturalist

Hawaii

I can’t count the number of times a guest on our boat will come up to me, enthusiastically gushing “You have the most amazing job!” or “Wow, what an office!” It’s true — I do have a great job and the best view at PacWhale. As ECO team members, we encounter incredible marine wildlife on a daily basis, and we are doing meaningful conservation and education work. But there’s a lot more to being a Marine Naturalist than meets the eye.

Financial planning, word cloud concept 8

For starters … who serves up crumbly apple danishes and yummy banana bread slices for breakfast? The naturalists do! Who makes sure everyone is properly caffeinated, sun-screened, and snorkeling gear-equipped? We do! Who makes sure all questions are answered and reasonable requests fulfilled so our wonderful guests can have the best day of their vacation? Why, the naturalists of course!

Whalewatching with "The Greatest"

Hawaii

Pacific Whale Foundation was founded in 1980, in Makena, Maui, in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Our roots are embedded in credible research studies, backed by effective education and critical conservation programs. Through the years, Pacific Whale Foundation has grown to become “the people’s whale organization.” Each year Pacific Whale Foundation takes nearly 300,000 supporters out on the water to experience whales “face-to-fluke,” or marine life “face-to-fin.” Our supporters come from all regions of the globe, and are of every race, color, creed, religion and political persuasion.

We have worked successfully to bridge the chasm of hard science by bringing scientific findings to the public to comprehend and act upon. We have engaged and enlisted the support of the public in a worthy and winnable cause: to save whales and their ocean home.
During the last three decades I have had some incredible whale experiences at Pacific Whale Foundation. People always ask me “what was the best whalewatching experience you ever had?” or “tell me about your most amazing whale experience.” Having spent thousands of hours on the ocean in the presence of whales, it really is hard to choose just one to single out as “the greatest” whale experience.

Underwater Footage of Whales and Dolphins Interacting

Hawaii

If two animals share the same environment, then at some point they are likely to meet. In the wild these meetings are often between predator and prey; however, nature isn’t always so cruel. Some such encounters, referred to as “interspecies interactions,” can be playful or social, where neither individual is threatened. The research team was…

Ocean Spirit Completes Journey Home

Hawaii

Ocean Spirit arrives to her permanent home in Lahaina early this morning. The 5880.85 mile journey from St. Croix USVI to final destination in Lahaina Maui, Hawaii was completed in 42 days. Crew will be training in the next week and OS will be scheduled to run her first whalewatching tours in the near future. [gallery…

Ocean Spirit approaching destination Oahu

Hawaii

Ocean Spirit’s current location:

Captain John Patti reports: “Delivery is coming along as planned. We’re just within 7 hundred miles of Koolina marina now and have enjoyed mostly fair seas over the pacific leg. The presence of a head current and…

Ocean Spirit sets off for longest journey leg to Hawaii

Hawaii

After spending Thanksgiving in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, Ocean Spirit & crew prepare for their longest stretch of open water to Honolulu, were the vessel will go finishing touches before joining the rest of Pacific Whale Foundation’s fleet in Maui. Crew member Sierra DeRose writes the…

Ocean Spirit Voyage Update

Hawaii

Ocean Spirit made it through the Panama Canal successfully, current location is just north of Costa Rica (see map below) this GPS location was received early yesterday morning. Crew member Christy Kozama shares with us her experience crossing the Panama Canal. “We are in Playa Papagayo Marina, Costa…

Ocean Spirit Underway

Hawaii

Ocean Spirit departed from St. Croixn USVI on November 5th and arrived Colon, Panama November 9th. Eco Team member Sierra Frye-Keele writes: “After 96 hours of motoring (only 1.5 hours were spent with sails up due to light wind), we’ve made it to Panama! Ocean Spirit is a safe and sea worthy vessel, very comfortable for travel. We ate…