#humpback whale
Whale sanctuary reminds boaters: ‘Go slow for whales below’
Each year between November and May, thousands of Koholā (humpback whales) return to Hawai‘i to breed, give birth and nurse their young. During this special time of year, boaters are reminded to reduce their speed and keep a safe and legal distance around whales.
UH researchers find singing humpback whales have daily movement patterns
New research reveals a daily pattern pattern for humpback whale songs which dominate the marine soundscape during the winter months off Maui. Researchers with the University of Hawai’i, in partnership with NOAA’s Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary found that whales move their singing away from shore throughout the day and return to the nearshore in the evening.
2024 Sanctuary Ocean Count welcomes back whales and volunteers
Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary welcomes back koholā (humpback whales) and volunteers for the 2024 Sanctuary Ocean Count scheduled for Jan. 27, Feb. 24, and March 30.
Welcome Home the Whales with Pacific Whale Foundation and OCEAN Organic Farm, Oct. 26
OCEAN Organic Farm & Distillery, a dedicated advocate and partner of ocean conservation nonprofit, Pacific Whale Foundation, will present the organization with a donation, celebrating the annual return of humpback whales to Maui Nui waters.
NOAA announces $17M for infrastructure improvements at Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary
NOAA is investing $17 million from the Inflation Reduction Act in Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary to improve the climate resilience of the Kīhei, Maui visitor and community center. The facility’s beachfront location makes it vulnerable to climate change impacts, including upland flooding, powerful storms and sand inundation.
Sanctuary Ocean Count and Great Whale Count conclude for 2023 season
The total number for the Great Whale Count on Maui was 313, for a grand total of 1,121 throughout the state.
997 whales spotted during 2nd Sanctuary Ocean Count and Great Whale Count
A total of 596 humpback whales were observed during the Great Whale Count on Maui, for a grand total of 997 spotted throughout the state.
On Maui, Great Whale Count volunteers collected data from 12 sites during 15-minute intervals between 8:30 a.m. and 11:50 a.m. A total of 105 whales were observed during the 11:30-11:45 a.m. time period, the most of any time period throughout the day’s count.
New research shows humpbacks widespread in Papahānaumokuākea
For years, it was commonly thought that humpback whales did not have a presence in the Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Monument, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association. That changed in 2006, when scientists recorded a whale song remotely, but not much was known about abundance at the time A new paper reports an abundance of […]
Boaters urged to slow down, steer clear of whales in Hawaiʻi waters
With increased whale activity around the islands, NOAA’s Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary and state managers remind boaters to be on the lookout for humpback whales and their calves.
Sanctuary Ocean Count and Great Whale Count commence for 2023 whale season
On Maui, the Great Whale Count by Pacific Whale Foundation was only able to report from one of 12 designated sites due to ongoing heavy rain. The single Great Whale Count site on Maui was able to report 41 whales. A total of nine whales were observed during the 10-10:15 a.m. time period, the most of any time period throughout the day’s count.
“Abundance” of mother and calf humpback whale pairs prompts advice to ocean users
The presence of numerous mother/calf humpback whale pairs in Hawaiʻi waters has prompted some advice to ocean users. The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary reminds the public to reduce their speed and keep a safe and legal distance around whales.
‘Welcome Back Whales Day’ set for Saturday at Maui Ocean Center
The “Welcome Back Whales Day” event at Maui Ocean Center’s Harbor Plaza overlooking Māʻalaea Bay will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Visitor Center reopens in Kīhei
NOAA’s Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary has reopened its Sanctuary Visitor Center in Kīhei with a new design and new interactive exhibits. Over the past five years, the sanctuary has worked on a full redesign of the visitor center, highlighting whale biology, research, disentanglement and the importance of the sanctuary.
Moon the inspiring injured humpback whale hasn’t been seen since early December
Moon has been followed by the Pacific Whale Foundation for nearly 15 years, but the last time researchers saw her in Maui waters she was suffering badly from a believed boat strike.
Training underway for humpback whale disentanglements
The team gets called out a dozen or more times each season to respond to reports of entangled humpbacks caught in fishing gear or marine debris within the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.
Pacific Whale Foundation Announces 2023 Maui Whale Festival
Pacific Whale Foundation announced the 2023 return of its annual Maui Whale Festival. Occurring throughout the month of February, this hybrid event celebrates the return of migrating humpback whales to Maui Nui.
PWF: Whale spotted off Maui with “blunt force injuries” likely caused by a vessel strike
A whale in distress, spotted in West Maui waters last week, suffered from blunt force injuries, likely caused by a vessel strike either on its migration to Hawaiʻi or while in feeding grounds, according to the Pacific Whale Foundation.
Whale season reminders as humpbacks return to Hawaiian waters
November marks the traditional start of the 2022-2023 whale season at the sanctuary. Humpback whales are generally seen in Hawai‘i from November into May each year, with the peak season running from January through March, according to the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.
Pacific Whale Foundation announces Welcome Home the Whales 2022 event and online auction
Presented in partnership with OCEAN Organic Farm and Distillery, Welcome Home the Whales celebrates the annual return of humpback whales to Maui Nui waters with an in-person fundraising event Nov. 17 and an online auction, which began on Nov. 4, both benefiting ocean conservation nonprofit Pacific Whale Foundation.
Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary hosts Webinar on whale season
Sanctuary staff will provide presentations about recent scientific findings and the upcoming 2022-2023 whale season.