#noaa maui

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.

An entangled yearling humpback whale was freed of gear by a NOAA-led team of trained responders off Ukumehame, Maui on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2022.

The data helps provide a good record of climate changes at Kula Hospital and nearby areas. It is also used to determine trends in global climate conditions.

DOCARE officers will be on hand this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 27 and 28 from 8 a.m. to noon at both the Kīhei and Māla boat ramps.

Authorities say the entanglement was the third reported and confirmed this season, and the first successful response of the 2012-2013 season. The animal was found and reported by the tour vessel, Man-of-War, last Friday near Lahaina.

Officials hope to find a run-away dock, and handle the dock at sea, to prevent serious environmental damage if it should reach shore.

NOAA’s Carey Morishige and Ruth Yender will provide information on efforts to collect data, assess the debris and possible impacts, and protect natural resources and coastlines.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration hosts a special presentation on Maui today to discuss the effects of climate change both globally, and locally.

The vessel will help in efforts to free whales that get entangled in fishing gear. Entanglement has been identified as a primary threat to the species, with more than 50% of humpbacks in some regions having been recently entangled, according to sanctuary staff estimates.

The free training provides marine tour operators and community volunteers with up-to-date knowledge and interpretive skills to properly educate visitors about Hawaii’s unique marine environment.