Whale Trust Volunteers
People Who Made a Difference 2001 – 2011
Doug and Kathy Gray; Tad and Cindy Luckey; Mark and Jeri Robinson; Ron and Diane Roos; Barry and Irene McPhee; Connie Sutherland, Dick Dunhaupt and Patti Hackney
In honor of our ten-year anniversary, we would like to recognize and thank some of the people who have helped us in countless ways from behind the scenes each year. Doug and Kathy Gray, Tad and Cindy Luckey, Mark and Jeri Robinson, Ron and Diane Roos, Barry and Irene McPhee, Connie Sutherland, Dick Dunhaupt, and Patti Hackney are some of the wonderful people that have helped Whale Trust from its inception. Among other things, these folks make sure we have a slip in Lahaina harbor each winter (a huge contribution) and help make sure our research boats, truck and house are taken care of even when we are not around to look after them! In 2011, they volunteered at Whale Trust events, helped rescue our research boats during the March tsunami, provided us with gas and boat maintenance throughout the season (thank you, Mark), stored our boats in their yard, and even donated their boat for 10 wonderful research days in Alaska (thank you, Dick and Patti)! For all of this and much more, we thank these special friends for their continuing and ongoing support of Whale Trust.
Remembering Bill Scott
On Monday, April 25th, 2011 Whale Trust lost a dear friend, avid supporter and fellow board member. Bill Scott had been involved with Whale Trust since before its official inception and served as the Treasurer of our Board since 2003, but first and foremost he was our friend and colleague. Even though Bill had been diagnosed with lymphoma, his passing still came as a shock. True to his spirit, he faced these recent physical challenges with his infectious and unforgettable sense of humor, positive attitude, courage, and strength. Memories of Bill will stay with us - from the many times we shared together on the water with whales to the leadership, guidance, support and integrity he brought so effortlessly to our organization. He touched us all and there is not a day that goes by we don’t miss his presence.
Whale Trust has several volunteer opportunities in which you can donate your time and skills for marine research, education and conservation here in Hawaii. If you are interested in becoming a Whale Trust volunteer, please contact Marcy Lynn or fill out a volunteer form and e-mail or fax it back to us. Your efforts will make a difference in helping us to accomplish our research, education and conservation goals.
People Who Made a Difference in 2010
Phylecia Platte
This year, we celebrate and honor Phylecia Platte for her dedication, enthusiasm and support of Whale Trust and Whale Quest Kapalua. With the cancellation of Whale Quest in 2010, Phylecia brought researchers and Whale Quest supporters together for a sunset whale watch to help promote and plan a replacement event for 2011. Partly because of her efforts, we are now planning a one-day event, Whale Tales, which will be held at the Ritz-Carlton in February 2011 (a date will be announced on our website in mid-November). Thank you, Phylecia!
Makana Aloha Foundation
One of the many gifts we received from co-hosting Whale Quest Kapalua was our introduction to Gunars and JoRene Valkirs, and their daughter, Jami Burks. Since our first meeting several years ago, their family foundation, Makana Aloha Foundation, has been instrumental in supporting the goals, dreams and vision of Whale Trust. Literally, they have contributed to every facet of Whale Trust, from our education and outreach efforts to helping advance our research goals to expanding and broadening our fundraising and community efforts. Whale Trust is extremely grateful for both their friendship, ongoing support, and commitment to Maui.
Special Thanks to the Following People who Continue to Make a Difference at Whale Trust
Mark and Jeri Robinson, Tad and Cindy Luckey, Doug and Kathy Gray, Barry and Irene McPhee for ensuring that our boats (and trailers) have safe homes in the harbor and on land. Thank you to Patty Hackney for her ongoing support of Whale Trust, even from her new home in Seattle. Susan Wallace Barnes for her ongoing support and tireless efforts in promoting and selling Hawaii’s Humpbacks.
Thank you, Liz Stahl!
Whale Trust would like to extend its sincere appreciation to Whale Trust and Whale Quest Kapalua volunteer, Liz Stahl. Liz served as the Alaska coordinator for the Visual Arts & Science Project (Through the Eyes of Whales: Connecting Kids, Arts and Whales across the Pacific Ocean) launched by Whale Trust in 2008-2009 (see Kid's Korner for more information). The first year pilot project connected 4th grade students in Juneau, Alaska with students in Maui through the whales that migrate between these two spectacular locations. After learning about whales from a variety of different sources, including each other and local researchers and educators, the students each hand-painted a canvas illustrating something they learned through the semester long project. Liz' commitment to the project was unwavering and without her, the Alaskan component wouldn't have happened. We are indebted to the enthusiasm and dedication that Liz brought to the project. Thank you, Liz! Read about the project here.
People Who Made a Difference in 2008
Whale Trust was founded by three individuals with over 50 years of collective experience in marine research and education. However, without the help and support of numerous volunteers, research assistants, and supporters, our vision would not be realized. In this section, we celebrate some of the people that have made all of the difference in helping us carry out the mission and purpose of Whale Trust.
2008 Volunteer of the Year: Renee Warr
This year, we celebrate and honor Renee Warr for all of the hard work and time she has put into Whale Trust over the last four years. Although Renee no longer lives on Maui, she has spent 1-2 months for the last four winters volunteering her time and energy to Whale Trust. While on Maui, Renee spends much (if not all) of her time helping Meagan on projects ranging from administrative work to data collection, to leading school visits to helping organize Whale Quest.
Anyone who knows Renee knows her energy is seemingly limitless and her enthusiasm contagious. She is an inspiration to all that meet her, and for this and much more, we celebrate Renee Warr as our volunteer of the year.
Donor Spotlight - Susan Wallace Barnes
Sue Barnes is a cherished friend and colleague, who has been a supporter of Whale Trust from its inception (and even before). There are few people who care more for the oceans or ensuring that the next generation learns to appreciate the oceans than Sue. She has spent a lifetime illustrating her love of the ocean in a self-described ‘whimsical’ fashion. She donates a percentage of the profits of her artwork to Whale Trust, and is constantly campaigning others to become actively involved in our work. On top of that, she has spent the last year volunteering her time and artwork for Jim’s upcoming book on humpback whales. For this and so much more, we recognize and thank our dear friend, Sue Barnes.
Whale Trust Friends:
Many thanks to those people who give tirelessly of their time and services including: Renee Warr, Susan Wallace Barnes, Mark and Jeri Robinson, Tad and Cindy Luckey, Doug and Kathy Gray, Barry and Irene PcPhee, Phylecia Platte, Tracey Harrap, Tom Glesme, Linda White, Heather Hardcastle and Liz Stahl from Alaska, Rae Takemoto, Donnelle Bancaco, Krys Kawamura, and Peggy Tobita from Pomaka`i Elementary School in Maui.
2007 Volunteer of the Year: Patti Hackney
Volunteers are the heart of any non-profit organization, but Patti Hackney is one of a kind! She loves the ocean and whales as much as anyone on staff and spends much of her time working with and volunteering for organizations that share her passion. While on Maui, Patti spends much of her time helping Meagan and Whale Trust on a myriad of jobs, ranging from data entry to digital processing of individual photographs of whale tails, to daily assistance on the research boat to teaching kids about whales in various Whale Trust venues, like Whale Quest Kapalua.
Patti’s energy for this work seems to be limitless, and her work and involvement at Whale Trust is deeply valued and appreciated! Of course, Patti is much more to us than a volunteer; she is a cherished friend. For all this and much, much more, we celebrate Patti as our first Whale Trust volunteer of the year.
Pat Steinhoff
We were deeply saddened to hear that a dear friend and supporter of Whale Trust, Pat Steinhoff, recently passed away after a scuba diving trip in the waters off her home in Bermuda.
We first met Pat and her husband, Bob, during a research expedition through the inside passage in Southeast Alaska several summers ago. During the trip, Pat worked tirelessly at printing all of the identifying photographs of humpback whales encountered during the trip and helped to match those whale’s to one’s previously identified in past years. She was so devoted to the job at hand that at times we had to force her to go above decks to see the whales outside!
Since then, Bob and Pat have helped to support some of the projects of Whale Trust, including the upcoming book on humpback whale behavior written by Jim Darling.
Our sincere and heartfelt condolences go out to Bob and their three sons for this tragic loss. We will always remember Pat as a kind, generous, fun-loving soul that loved the ocean and all of its inhabitants.
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