COURTESY PHOTO
Isle officials want to ensure a safe visit for as many as 6,000 humpback whales expected between December and May.
As humpback whales begin their annual return to Hawaiian waters, agencies charged with protecting them are reminding boaters to respect the big mammals. Return of whales has
isle agencies on lookoutOfficials hope to keep the public
Whale workshops and facts
informed on viewing safety
By Diana Leone
dleone@starbulletin.comA whale was seen a month ago between Kauai and Oahu, and a mother and calf were spotted Tuesday off Maui.
Between December and May as many as 6,000 humpback whales are expected in Hawaii, where many will mate or give birth before returning to Alaska for the summer.
"We're always excited when the season comes," said Jeff Walters, co-manager of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.
The rules for watching humpback whales in Hawaiian waters are pretty simple: Don't bring a boat closer than a football field away.
Meetings planned over the next two weeks on the Big Island, Kauai, Oahu and Maui will offer additional tips on sharing the water with humpbacks.
David Mattila, the sanctuary's science and whale rescue coordinator, will talk about the latest in whale research.
"We do this every year, toward the beginning of whale season, as a reminder of what the guidelines are for watching not only whales, but also dolphins and sea turtles and monk seals," said Jean Souza, Kauai sanctuary liaison. The National Marine Fisheries Service and state Department of Land & Natural Resources are co-hosts of the information sessions.
Most people do follow the rules, said Paul Newman, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration enforcement officer. "A lot of the people pretty much know the 100-yard approach regulation, don't cut a whale off, don't separate the calves," he said.
"Tour people will stop (their boat and) hope the whales come up to them," Newman said. Often, they do.
When a whale approaches a boat, the motor must be shut off until the animals are moving away, he said.
Whale-watching businesses do not want to risk the potential of fines up to $10,000 or up to a year in jail, Newman said.
"The biggest complaint is of kayakers," Newman said, "people from mainland who want to get right next to a 50-ton animal that's wild and may have a calf with her."
Such behavior is dangerous not only because of the size of the whales, he said, but also because there are often sharks following whale calves.
Mattila studied the effects of derelict fishing gear on whales in New England waters for 21 years. Last year, he began similar studies in Hawaii.
Though it appears that tangling in stray nets is much less of a problem here, Mattila still hopes to help establish a disentanglement response network for Hawaii. His presentation will include video of people rescuing tangled whales.
Walters emphasized that tour captains and fishermen often share valuable information with researchers.
"We consider them to be our partners in protecting the whales," he said. "Sometimes they have reported behavior we haven't seen before."
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Whale workshops
Rules for watching humpback whales in Hawaiian waters and news about the latest research on the animals will be covered in workshops held on each main island over the next two weeks.All workshops are free but registration is required. Call the number for the location you wish to attend.
>> Big Island: Wednesday, 7-9 p.m., Kealakehe High School Library, Kailua-Kona, 329-2861.
>> Kauai: Thursday, 7-9 p.m., Kauai Humpback Whale Sanctuary Office, 4370 Kukui Grove St., Suite 206, Kukui Grove Executive Center, Lihue, 246-2860.
>> Oahu: Nov. 19, 7-9 p.m., Aloha Tower, 7th Floor Meeting Room, Honolulu, (Parking at Aloha Tower Marketplace), 397-2651.
>> Maui: Nov. 20, 7-9 p.m., Maui Humpback Whale Sanctuary Office, 726 S. Kihei Road, Kihei, 879-2818.
Other whale stuff
>> "Studying Hearing in Dolphins and Whales" will be the topic of a free lecture by Paul Nachtigall at 7 p.m. Nov. 19 at the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, 726 S. Kihei Road, Kihei.>> The Pacific Whale Foundation will staff a "Whale Information Station" Dec. 1 through May 15 at McGregor Point Lookout on Maui. The free service is offered daily, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on Honoapiilani Highway (Route 30), between Maalaea and Lahaina. For more information, contact the foundation at 808-249-8811, 800-942-5311 or programs@pacificwhale.org.
>> The Great Maui Whale Festival is a series of whale-related events spread through the six months whales are in residence in Hawaiian waters. Information about events can be found at www.greatmauiwhalefestival.com or by calling 808-249-8811. It kicks off Dec. 1 with a Pacific Whale Foundation "Welcome Home the Whales Celebration Cruise and Blessing of the Whalewatch Fleet," at a cost of $19.95 for adults. Same contact numbers as above.
>> "45 Ton Talks" offer an hour of "talk story" at 11 a.m. every Tuesday at the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary offices, 726 S. Kihei Road, Kihei. For details, call 808-879-2818.
