Membership

Belong to Something BIGGER

Join Pacific Whale Foundation in our fight to defend our oceans! Become a Pacific Whale Foundation Member and join a global family committed to protecting the ocean through science and advocacy. As a Member of the PWF ‘ohana, you get exclusive benefits and insider access to the groundbreaking research, innovative programs and bold initiatives that are leading the way in ocean conservation. You’ll also be actively helping to mitigate the major threats facing whale and dolphins such as climate change, bycatch and ocean pollution. Become a Member today and together we can protect the ocean through science and advocacy and continue to inspire the environmental stewards of tomorrow.

Experience Membership

  • Quarterly e-Newsletter with regular updates on PWF Research, Education and Conservation and special access to industry experts
  • Quarterly Member spotlight
  • Discounts and special access to events, including Members-only events
  • Discounts on eco-friendly Membership apparel and gifts in the PWF Online Store
  • Priority boarding on PacWhale Eco-Adventures vessels
  • Discounts at Maui Ocean Center (Coming 2023!)
  • Access to monthly virtual classrooms in 2023*
  • Early access and discounts on select educational opportunities in 2023*
  • Discounts on PacWhale Eco-Adventures tours**
  • Discounts in PacWhale Ocean Stores**
  • Free Member t-shirt and/or sticker**
  • Supporting the mission of PWF!

*Available with Youth Membership Only
**Available with Guide, Leader, and Hero Memberships Only. See Membership level details below.

 

Membership Levels

Youth

$10 Annually. For our youngest Ocean Stewards – Children 17 & Under. Includes standard membership offerings and access to monthly virtual classrooms, plus early access and discounts on select educational opportunities starting in 2023.

Resident

$50 Annually. Hawai’i residents only, includes standard offerings.

Mentor

$75 Annually. Adults 60+, includes standard offerings.

Friend

$125 Annually. Includes standard offerings.

Guide

$21 / Month OR $250 Annually. Includes standard membership offerings and 20% off on 2 individual tickets for PacWhale Eco-Adventures tours to be used within the year of membership (blackout dates apply). 20% off on products purchased at PacWhale Ocean Stores and 1 free Member sticker. Monthly memberships for this level are locked in for a year and cannot be cancelled before end of term.

Leader

$42 / Month OR $500 Annually. Includes standard membership offerings and 20% off on 6 individual tickets for PacWhale Eco-Adventures tours to be used within the year of membership (blackout dates apply). 20% off on products purchased at PacWhale Ocean Stores. Includes 1 free Member t-shirt and 1 free Member sticker. Monthly memberships for this level are locked in for a year and cannot be cancelled before end of term.

Hero

$84 / Month OR $1000 Annually. Includes standard membership offerings and 20% off on 12 individual tickets for PacWhale Eco-Adventures tours to be used within the year of membership (blackout dates apply). 20% off on products purchased at PacWhale Ocean Stores. Includes 2 free Member t-shirts and 2 free Member stickers. Monthly memberships for this level are locked in for a year and cannot be cancelled before end of term.

 

 

FAQ

#1 How is the Membership program changing?

In a recent survey, we asked our Members how we could improve the Member experience, and WE HEARD YOU!

You’ll notice the following changes:

  • Reduced number of Membership levels available (for ease of registration) but more perks
  • Reduced cost of our Resident and Mentor (senior level) Memberships
  • Discounts are back on PacWhale Eco-Adventures tours and PacWhale Ocean Store purchases for select Membership levels (Guide, Leader and Hero levels)
  • Improved Youth Membership program will grant our youngest Members access to more PWF-sponsored educational opportunities in 2023
  • Improved constituent portal experience with features that allow you to renew your Membership and manage your auto-renew payments with ease (Coming 2023!)
  • Quarterly e-Newsletters will keep you up to date on the latest PWF news and offerings (replacing the old Member Portal)
  • Special access to events, with more Members-only event opportunities
  • Discounts at Maui Ocean Center (Coming 2023!)

#2 What are the Member benefits of the new program?

Standard Membership levels (Resident, Mentor and Friend levels) include the following:

  • Quarterly e-Newsletter with regular PWF updates
  • Quarterly Member spotlight
  • Discounts and special access to events (including Members-only events)
  • Discounts on eco-friendly Membership apparel from the PWF Online Store
  • Priority boarding on PacWhale Eco-Adventures vessels
  • Discounts at Maui Ocean Center (Coming 2023!)

Youth Membership level will now include the standard offerings listed above in addition to the following:

  • Access to monthly virtual classrooms in 2023
  • Early access/discounts on select PWF educational opportunities starting in 2023

Select Membership levels (Guide, Leader and Hero levels) will now include the standard offerings listed above in addition to the following:

  • Discounts on PacWhale Eco-Adventures tours
  • Discounts on PacWhale Ocean Store purchases
  • Free Member t-shirt and sticker

All levels come with the benefit of supporting PWF’s mission!

#3 Are the current benefits that I have going to change?

Starting Thursday, December 1, 2022, all Members (new and existing) will have access to the new program offerings. Existing members can use the chart below to determine which existing levels (under the retiring program) match the new program levels. For example, the retiring Defender level will have access to the new Friend level offerings starting December 1. Reference Question #2 for level offerings.

MATCHING MEMBERSHIP LEVELS
Retiring Program (Membership Levels)

New Program (Membership Levels)

Discovery

Youth*

Kama’aina

Resident**

Legacy

Mentor**

Defender

Friend**

Explorer

Guide***

Quest

Leader***

Odyssey / Guardian / Protector

Hero***

*Youth offerings

** Standard offerings

***Select offerings

Note: The Spirit and Voyager levels have no matching Memberships in the new program. Existing Spirit and Voyager accounts will have access to the new Standard offerings.

#4 Do I need to do anything if I am a current Member?

If you are an existing Member, starting Thursday, December 1, you will automatically have access to the new program offerings (See Questions #2 and #3 for details). When your existing Membership expires, if you are NOT currently set-up for auto-renew, you will need to renew at one of the new Membership levels.

Discovery, Spirit, Kama’aina, Legacy, Voyager, Defender, Explorer, Quest, Odyssey, Guardian and Protector memberships will be retired on Sunday, January 1, 2023. On this date, these membership levels will no longer be available for purchase and auto-renew will be disabled on all retired Memberships. When your Membership expires, you will need to transition to one of the newer levels to maintain your status as an active Member. You will be asked if you would like to set up auto-renew on your new Membership at checkout.

#5 What if my current Membership is set to auto-renew?

If you have auto-renew enabled on a retiring Membership (see Question #4 for list of retiring Memberships), you can continue to auto-renew through the end of 2022. You will still have access to the new program offerings (see Questions #2 and #3 for details) starting Thursday, December 1, 2022.

Beginning January 1, 2023, auto-renew will be disabled on ALL retired Membership levels. On and after this date, renewing Members will have to opt into the new Membership program upon the expiration of their retired Membership. Members will be asked to enable auto-renew again when they register under the new Membership program.

#6 How do I manage my auto-renew on my Membership?

Click HERE to access your account login. If you have not created a user account, you will find a link to do so on this same page. If you are having trouble logging in, there is also a link here that will prompt you to reset your password using the email address associated with the account.

When logged in, navigate to “Memberships” via the dropdown box on the right side of the welcome page. You can manage your account’s auto-renew preferences here. If you are having trouble managing your account, call 808-856-8353 or email a Development representative at [email protected]

#7 Is my Membership a one-time annual payment or can I pay monthly?

Monthly Membership payment options are available at the Guide, Leader and Hero Membership levels. However, monthly Membership fees at these levels are locked in for a year and cannot be cancelled before the end of the term.

#8 How can I change my level if I choose to upgrade?

If your current Membership has not yet expired but you would like to upgrade your account to one of the new levels, call 808-856-8353 or email a Development representative at [email protected].

#9 When does the new Membership program begin?

The new Membership program will launch on Thursday, December 1, 2022.

#10 What happens when my Membership expires after the start of the new program?

When your existing Membership expires, if you DO NOT have auto-renew enabled on your account and you would like to maintain your status as a current Member, you will need to renew at one of the new Membership levels when your existing Membership expires.

If you DO have auto-renew enabled on your existing Membership, you can continue to auto-renew at your current level through the end of 2022. You will still enjoy the offerings of the new Membership program starting Thursday, December 1, 2022. However, beginning on Sunday, January 1, 2023, auto-renew will be disabled on retired Memberships (see Question #4 for details). All renewing Members will have to opt into the new Membership program upon the expiration of their old Membership on or after this date. Members will be asked to enable auto-renew again when they register under the new Membership program.

#11 How do I access my discounts?

Explorer, Quest, Odyssey, Protector, and Guardian Members will receive an email including Membership Promo Code Pass information for discounts on PacWhale Eco-Adventures tours. All new Guide, Leader, and Hero Members can expect to receive this email after registration. Discounts are only valid through the length of the Membership. Blackout dates apply.

If your membership includes discounts on PacWhale Ocean Store purchases, please use your registration email as proof of Membership.

All Members receive discounts on the PWF Online Store. Login to the Constituent Portal first for discounts to be applied at checkout. Click HERE to access your account login or create a new account using the email address associated with your PWF Membership. When logged in, navigate to “Orders” via the dropdown box on the right side of the welcome page to access the store.

#12 How are my fees used?

Your Membership furthers our mission to protect the ocean through science and advocacy and inspire environmental stewardship. This program benefits our Research, Education and Conservation programs as we work together to mitigate the major threats facing whale and dolphins globally such as climate change, ship strikes, marine debris, bycatch and unsustainable tourism.

#13 Is my Membership tax-deductible?

PWF is a 501(c)3 organization and donations are tax-deductible. The amount of the gift that is eligible for deduction can depend on several factors, including the size and nature of the donation.

PWF does not provide legal, tax or accounting advice. You are encouraged to consult your own professional advisors on tax matters.

PWF’s tax ID number (EIN) is 99-0207417.

You will receive an email within 24 hours with instructions on how to access your constituent login portal after submitting your membership application. Login to check your membership status, renew your membership, manage your membership auto-renew, and order discounted member apparel and gifts.

Already a Member?

-Pacific Whale Foundation is a non-profit tax-exempt IRS 501(c)(3) organization: federal tax ID number 99-0207417. Your donation is U.S. tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Thank you for your support.

Hawaii Visitor Update

Aloha, We Are Open!  Our PacWhale Eco-Adventures are open for booking as we welcome visitors back to Maui.  Quarantine restrictions were lifted on Oct. 15th for those following the state’s pre-arrival COVID-19 testing requirements.

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