[Editor's note: Images of the placenta below. You have been warned. All photos courtesy Pacific Whale Foundation.] For the first time in history, whale researchers captured video footage of a humpback whale giving birth earlier this month. On that historic day, PacWhale Eco-Adventures staff also spotted a floating placenta from a different birth in the same waters. It’s … [Read more...] about Humpback Whale Live Birth and Probable Whale Placenta Captured
Science and Environment
It’s Not the Potatoes, It’s the Pesticide – Public health expert to Mahi Pono: ‘Quit spraying stuff!’
A sample of potatoes from Mahi Pono’s recent donation to the Hawaii Foodbank on O‘ahu show insignificant amounts of the heavy metals cadmium and lead, a trace of the herbicide chlorpropham, and nothing else, according to the results of lab testing recently commissioned by MauiTime. The tests were conducted by Anresco Laboratories of San Francisco on a sample of potatoes … [Read more...] about It’s Not the Potatoes, It’s the Pesticide – Public health expert to Mahi Pono: ‘Quit spraying stuff!’
Partnership Begins Restoration of Kam 1 Coastal Dunes
A coastal dune restoration program at the southern end of Kamaole I Beach Park in Kihei is anticipated to begin this week and last up to three weeks. Coastal dune restoration is an increasing priority as extensive sand dunes on Maui are a key part of a healthy beach system. Vegetated dunes trap windblown sand, store excess sand reserves, and serve as natural erosion buffers. … [Read more...] about Partnership Begins Restoration of Kam 1 Coastal Dunes
2020 Great Whale Count Begins
Nearly 300 humpback whales are swimming throughout Hawaiian waters, according to the annual Great Whale Count. The count is underway in the state, with more than 550 Sanctuary Ocean Count and Great Whale Count volunteers gathering data from Maui during the Pacific Whale Foundation's Great Whale Count, and from the shores of O‘ahu, Kaua‘i and Hawai‘i islands during the Hawaiian … [Read more...] about 2020 Great Whale Count Begins
Pilot Project Uses Oysters to Improve Water Quality at Ma‘alaea Harbor
Oysters are amazing, and not just when they are on the menu. Research estimates that a single oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of ocean water in a day, said Maui Nui Marine Resource Council's program manager Amy Hodges. That's why MNMRC launched a pilot program that utilizes oysters' filtration system to improve ocean water quality in Māʻalaea Harbor. “Oysters … [Read more...] about Pilot Project Uses Oysters to Improve Water Quality at Ma‘alaea Harbor