37th Annual World Whale Day & Parade, Feb. 18

World Whale Day 2017 kicks off at 9:00am with a hometown Parade of Whales along South Kihei Road, featuring marching bands, musical performances, an inflatable 50-foot whale, costumed sea characters, and colorful floats.

The 37th Annual World Whale Day & Parade of Whales takes place this Saturday, Feb. 18 in Kīhei.

Presented by Pacific Whale Foundation, World Whale Day is a community festival with a global mission — to raise public awareness and inspire conservation on behalf of marine wildlife and their ocean habitat.

The festivities begin at 9 a.m. with a Parade of Whales along South Kīhei Road, featuring marching bands, musical performances, and an inflatable 50-foot whale.

The all day event continues at Kalama Park with live entertainment by a list that includes: John Cruz, Eli Mac, Maoli, Lily Meola, and a special appearance by Alto Reed of Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band.

There’s also a Keiki Stage, Keiki Carnival and Made on Maui fair.  The Keiki Stage features: the Banana Slug String Band, Maui Aerial Arts, Canada’s Chestermere Concert Band, and a special Ulalena performance from Maui Theatre.  The Keiki Carnival includes keiki hula and lei po’o making, henna and face painting, cotton candy, hot dogs and shave ice, bouncy castles, and Maui Spider Jump — Hawaiʻi’s only reverse bungee trampoline system.

FREE satellite parking is available at Azeka Center and Hope Chapel with event shuttles running from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Admission is $5 and FREE for keiki 12 and under.

Other fun and inspiring Pacific Whale Foundation outreach events include:

• Online Auction (Feb 12-25)
• World Whale Day & Parade of Whales (Feb 18)
• Making Waves Lecture Series (Feb 23)
• Great Whale Count (Feb 25)
• VIP Cruises