#whalewatching

The first humpback whale of the season was spotted by researchers aboard the NOAA ship Hiʻialakai off of Niʻihau last week, marking an early start to the whale season in Hawaiʻi. The sighting was reported on Tuesday, Sept. 29, as the crew traveled home from a mission at the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.