#whale count
1,947 whales counted, including 802 on Maui during second coordinated count this season
Volunteers on Saturday counted a total of 1,947 whales, including 802 on Maui, 153 on Molokaʻi, 263 on Hawaiʻi Island, 321 on Kauaʻi and 408 on Oʻahu. The count was part of the second coordinated effort this season by the Pacific Whale Foundation and the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.
2,121 humpback whales spotted during first coordinated count of 2025 koholā season
The total number for the Great Whale Count on Maui was 702, for a grand total of 2,121 throughout the state.
855 humpback whales counted during third Sanctuary Ocean Count and Great Whale Count for 2024 season
Volunteers counted a total of 855 whales throughout the state Saturday during the third coordinated event held this season. Similar counts held earlier this season resulted in a total of 2,124 whales observed on Jan. 27, and 2,141 whales observed on Feb. 24, 2024.
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.
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.
136 whales sighted over 15 minutes in 3rd coordinated count of 2022
A total of 136 whale sightings were recorded during the 15 minute period between 10 and 10:15 a.m. on Saturday, during the third coordinated count this year between the Pacific Whale Foundation on Maui and the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.
228 whales sighted over 15 minutes during 2nd coordinated Whale Count for 2022
On Maui, Great Whale Count site leaders collected data from 11 sites during 15-minute intervals between 8:30 and 11:45 a.m. A total of 94 whale sightings were seen during the 8:30 to 8:45 a.m. time period, the most of any time period throughout the day’s count.
118 Sightings Recorded in 15 Minutes During Final Whale Count of 2021
On Maui, Great Whale Count site leaders collected data from 12 sites during 15-minute intervals between 8:30 a.m. and 11:50 a.m. A total of 35 whale sightings were seen during the 9:30 to 9:45 a.m. time period, the most of any time period throughout the day’s count.
Humpbacks Abundance Trends Documented During Second Coordinated Whale Count of 2021
On Maui, Great Whale Count site leaders collected data from 12 sites during 15-minute intervals between 8:30 and 11:50 a.m. A total of 34 whale sightings were seen during the 8:30 to 8:45 a.m. time period, the most of any time period throughout the day’s count.
191 Whale Sightings in 15 Minutes During Latest Whale Count
A total of 191 whale sightings were seen during the 8:30 to 8:45 a.m. time period, the most of any time period throughout the day’s count.
219 Humpbacks Observed During Whale Count Off Maui
Great Whale Count volunteers collected data from 12 sites across Maui on March 30. A total of 219 whales were seen from Maui throughout the day.
774 Whales Spotted Off Maui in Great Whale Count
A total of 774 whales were seen throughout the day off Maui, with 94 whales counted during the peak time between 8:30 and 8:45 a.m.
168 Whales Sighted in 15 Minutes During Whale Counts
A total of 168 whale sightings were seen during the 8:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. time period, the most of any time period throughout the day’s count.
Whale Count to Run Despite Government Shutdown
The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary’s annual Ocean Count will take place on Jan. 26, 2019 despite the federal government shutdown.
135 Whales Sighted in 15 Minutes
More than 649 volunteers gathered data from the shores of 44 sites off O‘ahu, Kaua‘i and Hawai‘i Island during the second Sanctuary Whale Count event in 2018.
172 Humpbacks Spotted During Peak of Sanctuary Whale Count
A total of 172 whale sightings were seen during the 10:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. time period, the most of any time period throughout the day’s count.
600 Volunteers Count Whales in 20th Anniversary Event
The count was the final of three conducted for the year during peak whale season. The Sanctuary Ocean Count is held each year on the last Saturday of January, February, and March.
Hooked on Humpbacks: 900 People Volunteer to Count Whales
According to data from the annual event, an average of 5 whales per site were counted every 15 minutes.
NINE WHALES COUNTED EVERY 15 MINUTES OFF KAHOOLAWE
An estimated 9 whales surfaced every fifteen minutes off the remote shores of Kaho’olawe in Maui County. That’s according to data compiled in the annual Ocean Count conducted by the Hawaiian Island Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Volunteers collected data from 56 sites statewide with lesser counts recorded off Oahu (2), Kauai (2) and the […]
The Great Whale Count
Saturday, February 28, 2009 Make it a memorable morning by joining in this annual citizens’ count of the humpback whales that can be seen along Maui’s shorelines. No experience is required; there’s no cost to participate. The research team at Pacific Whale Foundation will provide the training and the tools. It’s a great way to […]