From a buoy off Maui shores—where whales are regularly observed—a hydrophone (underwater microphone) dangles into the depths. It captures male whales’ songs (these baleen have a boys choir only) and transmits them via radio signal (2.4GHz FM beacon frequency, 100 milliwatts effective radiated power) from an antenna on the buoy unit Hokumoanalani, to a receiver at the onshore control center. Thereafter, by the power of the Internets, Hawaii’s humpback songs are available to be listened to by up to 100 people at a time. They’ve even got an iPhone app ($2.99). But for this “entirely noncommercial, volunteer-basis” project to continue, it needs support. Enter the benefit concert. Philosopher and musician David Rothenberg—pictured playing to whales from a Zodiac—who authored Thousand Mile Song: Whale Music in a Sea of Sound (and whose previous publication, Why Birds Sing became a BBC documentary), will headline the event. The kahauanu lake string styling of the group Keaolani will be accompanied by the skilled sways of Halau Wehiwehi o Leilehua, under Kumu Hula Leilehua Gordean Lee Bailey. And, during an improvisational meditation in motion with Mark Takaha of SpiritDance fame, interested audience members can participate in connecting to the whale world through movement. www.whalesong.net
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