According to research programs like SPLASH and aerial studies, about 10,000 to 12,000 whales arrive in Hawaii during their mating season, December through April. But otherwise, not much is known about their movements.

“;The whales that we see in December are different than the ones seen in February,”; said Christine Brammer, programs coordinator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. “;Different whales are coming and going. Originally, we thought that they all came at the same time and returned about the same time. Some of the whales are only here for a very short time.”;

More research needs to be done, and the public is invited to pitch in during the Sanctuary Ocean Count that takes place the last Saturday in January, February and March, during peak whale season.

Volunteer help is needed to record whale sightings and behaviors including blows, slaps and breaches from the shorelines of Oahu, Kauai and the Big Island. An independent count is conducted on Maui by the Pacific Whale Foundation, but Brammer hopes to eventually expand NOAA's program to Lanai and Molokai. The count started on Oahu in 1996, the Big Island in 1998 and Kauai in 1999.

“;We try to keep things consistent by conducting the counts in the same locations and at the same time each year. The outreach program provides a snapshot of where the whales are at ... at that particular time around the Hawaiian Islands. It's a unique program for the public,”; said Brammer. “;Hawaii is the only state where you can view whales from the shoreline and monitor their behaviors.”;

Elevated areas make the probability of sightings more likely, although Brammer said, “;People still spot whales at the lower beach parks, as long as it's a clear-weather day.”;

During the counts, volunteers collect data during 30-minute intervals. Behavioral data sheets will be distributed to volunteers who are trained to identify whales' movements.

“;They learn the basics from site leaders about recording the number of behaviors,”; she explained. Over time the data will be used in collaboration with the data collected by scientists. Studies suggest a 7 percent increase in the number of whales that are coming to Hawaii per year.

“;Even if whales aren't spotted, it still helps us figure out why we don't see whales in certain areas,”; Brammer said.

Bad weather can also make it more difficult to view them, she added.

Site leaders, who must go through a mandatory training program, use technical skills to actually count the whales in various areas. “;Once you have watched whales for a little while, it is fairly easy to tell how many you are watching and eliminate recounting,”; Brammer explained. “;The only time it may get hard is when there are lots of whales in the area.”;

She hopes that the program will raises awareness of other ocean resources and conservation issues, as well as the humpback whales.

“;We hope the project gets people excited,”; she said. “;If people are spotting whales in the water, it might spark their interest in protecting the ocean.”;

Volunteers are needed at various site locations from 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 27 and March 27. Register online at www.hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov or call 397-2651, ext. 253, on Oahu; 246-2860 on Kauai or (888) 55-WHALE, ext. 253, on the Big Island.