Kayaker reports boat
hit a baby humpbackBlood reportedly from the collision
attracts sharks to the area
WAILUKU >> State and federal officials are investigating a reported collision between a recreational boat and a whale calf in waters off West Maui.
The incident, which took place in waters 200 to 300 yards off Puamana, was reported to Maui police by a kayaker at 5:54 p.m. Sunday, said Maui police officer Stuart Farberow.
"The kayaker said there was a lot of blood in the water," Farberow said.
Farberow said that from shore he could see about three sharks near the baby whale and mother whale, and the mother was slapping its tail to keep the sharks away.
The whales appeared to be humpbacks, Farberow said.
The kayaker had tried to warn the boaters about speeding near the whales, Farberow said.
The boaters included two men and two women, and the operator of the 18- to 22-foot boat was a 52-year-old Makawao man, police said. They were not injured, according to the Coast Guard.
The calf and mother swam into deeper water and have not been seen since yesterday, federal officials said.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration officials said there was insufficient information to begin a search for the whale.
The collision is being investigated by the state, NOAA and the Coast Guard.
Humpback whales are listed as a endangered species and protected by federal law, including a provision requiring ocean craft to maintain a distance of 100 yards.
While the state has banned thrill craft and commercial high-speed boats from South and West Maui waters during whale migration season between Dec. 15 and May 15, Hawaii law allows private recreational boating throughout the year.
Naomi McIntosh, manager of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback National Marine Sanctuary, said federal officials recommend that boats slow down during whale migration season.
"We still need to be mindful if there's a whale in the vicinity," she said.
The incident was the third reported contact between a boat and a whale since Christmas.
Three-year-old Ryker Hamilton died Christmas Day after he struck his head while on a whale-watching boat in Honolulu.
On Jan. 5 a man was briefly knocked unconscious on his fishing boat after striking a whale that surfaced in front of him in waters northeast of Maui.
Anyone witnessing a whale collision may call 800-853-1964. For whale entanglement or strandings, call 800-256-9840.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.