Whale Quest Kapalua
Fourth Annual Whale Quest Kapalua
Dates Announced
February 13-15th, 2009
Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii
Third Annual Whale Quest Kapalua Raises More Than $65,000 for Whale Research
The third annual Whale Quest Kapalua heldFebruary 15-17th at the Ritz Carlton-Kapalua raised more than $65,000 for whale research in Hawaii. Event proceeds will benefit three local non-profit research organizations including Whale Trust, Center for Whale Studies and Hawaii Whale Research Foundation. In addition, the event helped to support participating whale researchers, Alison Stimpert and Jan Straley, and The Dolphin Institute.
The free, public event attracted more than 5,000 people during the weekend who enjoyed educational presentations led by well-known whale researchers, National Geographic photographers, and filmmakers, as well as art, photo and interactive educational exhibits. Funds were raised through exclusive whale watching excursions, a charity golf tournament, charitable donations, and the auction of a highly coveted trip to Antarctica donated by National Geographic Expeditions.
Whale Quest Kapalua began three years ago as collaboration between Maui Land & Pineapple, Kapalua Resort and Whale Trust. Since its inaugural event in 2006, Whale Quest Kapalua has raised more than $175,000 for local whale research organizations. For a complete list of contributors to the 2008 event, please see below.
Whale Trust and Whale Quest Kapalua work with local students
Each year, Whale Trust and Whale Quest Kapalua invite students from West Maui schools to participate in an educational program especially designed for elementary and Jr. high students by Whale Trust Executive Director, Meagan Jones.
On Friday, February 15th, 2008 over 150 students from 7 different elementary and Jr. high classrooms visited the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua for a day of art, science and discovery. For three hours, students rotated through a number of activities led by Whale Quest Kapalua presenters. Some of the presenters from this year included Flip Nicklin and Paul Nicklen (National Geographic photographers), Greg Marshall (inventor of National Geographic’s Crittercam), Jim Darling (whale researcher), Sherri Reeve (artist), Ed Lyman (HIHWNMS), Sue Flood (BBC filmmaker), Jason Sturgis (cinematographer), and Alison Stimpert (whale researcher).
Some favorites for the students included painting life-sized whale tails, balancing on a surfboard while trying to place a suction-cup tag on a make believe whale, and creating whale sounds using balloons.
Sponsors For This Year’s Event:
Whale Trust, Center for Whale Studies and Hawaii Whale Research Foundation
Would like to thank the following for their support of the
2008 Whale Quest Kapalua
Host SponsorsMaui Land & Pineapple, Inc. Major SponsorsNational Geographic Society Major SupportersDarlene and Jeff Anderson Whale Watching CompaniesCaptain Steve’s Rafting Adventures Educational SponsorsArtisan Woodworking Studio SpeakersKenneth Balcomb Featured ArtistsWhales of Randy Puckett Educational SpeakersJim Darling DonorsGeorge and Linda Albright |
Donors (continued)Martha Sauter Exhibitors and OrganizationsNathalie Boutin Golf ParticipantsJeff Anderson VolunteersClyde Allen Participating SchoolsKing Kamehameha III Elementary |