For years, the news about humpbacks was positive. Rebounding from near decimation after landing on the endangered species list in 1973, more and more whales came to Maui each winter from their feeding grounds in Southeast Alaska to breed and give birth. The Northern Pacific humpbacks were “de-listed” in 2016. Ironically, that’s the year things […]
First humpback of the season
The first whale of the season was spotted by Pacific Whale Foundation’s Ocean Explorer Monday morning, October 8. The humpback was seen at 8:08am, 2.4 miles north of Molokini, headed toward Ma‘alaea Harbor. The spotting was made by PWF Captain Aaron Bement. “This is why we do this,” said Bement. “You never know what you’ll […]
Maui Whale Festival Benefit Gala at King Kamehameha Golf Club
The 38th annual Maui Whale Festival Benefit Gala will happen at the King Kamehameha Golf Club on Saturday, Feb. 17. This year, the Pacific Whale Foundation’s benefit night will have a masquerade theme. Proceeds will benefit the Blue Whale, Maui Dolphin, False Killer Whale, Humpback Whale and Vaquita. The evening will feature presentations, sustainable seafood pupus, […]
Trained responders free entangled humpback whale off Lahaina
On Christmas day, a team of trained responders that included people from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary freed an adult humpback whale off Lahaina that had become entangled in about 400 feet of heavy gauge line. Here’s how Toni Parras, the NOAA Hawaii Communications […]
Quizunderstood: What do you know about the start of Maui’s whale season this year?
1. On Dec. 18, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced that Humpback Whale Season in Hawaii has officially begun. According to the agency’s news release, about how many of the whales migrate from Alaskan to Hawaiian waters every year? A. 5,000 B. 9,000 C. 12,000 D. 17,000 E. 22,000 2. On Dec. 16, […]
President Donald Trump must really hate that poor entangled humpback whale off Maui
Just a brief note on that story about the humpback whale that got entangled in electrical cable a couple days ago. Isn’t that just so sad? That poor whale somehow got a mass of heavy cable entangled in its mouth, and it’s no wonder Hawaii News Now, The Maui News and Maui Now have all run […]
Pacific Whale Foundation says they spotted first humpback of season in Maui waters
This morning, Pacific Whale Foundation President Greg Kaufman sent out a news release stating that one of his boats spotted the first humpback whale of the season yesterday, in the waters just off Lahaina. But before you do any celebrating, Kaufman said the whale didn’t seem all that well. “The brief video captured is a […]
Quizunderstood: How much do you know about Maui Visitors Bureau boss Terryl Vencl’s retirement?
1. The Pacific Whale Foundation’s annual Great Whale Count took place on Feb. 27. More than 100 volunteers counted 732 humpback whales that day off the coast of Maui–less than were counted last year. What was last year’s Great Whale Count number? A. 1,634 B. 1,488 C. 1,193 D. 987 E. 809 2. The Maui […]
Pacific Whale Foundation Sets Up ‘Trail of the Whale’
Watching whales from the shoreline will have a unique spin this year—and you can win a prize. Starting now through mid-May, Pacific Whale Foundation will have trained naturalists stationed at key points along Maui’s coastline to help nature enthusiasts locate and learn about whales from the shore. During a visit to PWF’s Naturalist Stations, whale […]
Humpback Whale Sanctuary Wants Advisory Council Applicants
Yeah, kids, the Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary wants you–to apply for their advisory council, that is. “The members of our advisory council represent an extremely important element of our community,” said Malia Chow, sanctuary superintendent, in a Nov. 26 NOAA news release. “Their input, experience and expertise assist sanctuary managers in making informed and […]
2013 MauiTime Year In Review
Let’s call 2013 the Year of Ends. Ex-National Security Agency (NSA) contractor Edward Snowden, who is now in exile in Russia after fleeing Hawaii with millions of secret documents, ended any feeling we had that the Obama Administration cared more about civil liberties than his predecessors. South African President Nelson Mandela’s death brought an end […]