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Whale Trust

Whale Research and Education in Maui, Hawaiβ€˜i

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Mission
Whale Trust's mission is to conduct, support, and promote scientific research and education programs on whales and the marine environment.
LEARN MORE
2025 Annual Report
Our 2025 Annual Report is here!
CLICK HERE TO LEARN ABOUT OUR IMPACT
Whale Tales
SAVE THE DATE
February 11-15, 2027
Whale Tales
Spring Appeal
Whale Trust Turns 25!

In honor of Whale Trust’s 25th Anniversary on July 19th, we invite you to join our summer challenge to raise $250,000 in donations and pledges. If 1000 people who see this pledge just $25 dollars a month for one year (about the cost of a monthly streaming subscription) we can reach this goal together.

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Spring Appeal
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Read About Our Impact
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April 3, 2026 – Maui Whale Song

https://whaletrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/TASCAM_0023.wav

whaletrustmaui

Research | Education | Conservation
Creating a world that understands, appreciates, & protects whales and the ocean planet we share. πŸ‹

#ThrowbackThursday 10 years ago in 2016, Haley R #ThrowbackThursday 

10 years ago in 2016, Haley Robb Spears completed her first summer internship with Whale Trust while she was completing her undergraduate degree. This month, Haley is completing her PhD. Dr. Robb Spears will be continuing her journey with Whale Trust as Associate Director of Programs. 

Read what Haley had to say about her internship in 2016: 

"For as long as I can remember I have been fascinated with marine life. As a middle school student, I was able to attend Whale Quest Kapalua (in 2008), a wonderful event hosted by Whale Trust Maui serving to bridge the gap between research and local communities. Since then, I have been regularly attending the Whale Tales sessions held every year. I remember my freshman year of high school I heard Dr. Meagan Jones’ talk, during which she mentioned her collaboration with Lahainaluna students to analyze blubber samples collected from whales off Maui to see if they could detect hormones related to reproduction. I was introduced to her after and expressed my interest in marine biology. My senior year I took over the whale hormone project, where I got the opportunity to get to know Dr. Jones a bit better as well as be introduced to other members in the field. I even had the opportunity to go out on the research boat! This was an incredibly important experience for me as it solidified my decision to pursue a career in marine biology. I have since had the pleasure of working under Dr. Jones and completed my first internship with her this summer. Whale Trust Maui has been an extremely influential part of my decision to become a marine biologist, from elementary school to the present. I am so grateful for Whale Trust Maui’s educational programs that opened incredible opportunities for me. I am now studying marine biology with a minor in statistics at University of Victoria and planning for future internships with Whale Trust Maui."
We are getting closer to the start of whale season We are getting closer to the start of whale season! When do you think the first whale of the season will be spotted?
Join us for Haley Robb Spears' public defense of h Join us for Haley Robb Spears' public defense of her PhD project! Haley has been involved with Whale Trust since she was a part of the Whale Tales Keiki Program in 2008. 

Tune in for her public defense next Thursday September 24 at 1:30 pm HST!
#ThrowbackThursday Co- founders, Dr. Meagan Jone #ThrowbackThursday 

Co- founders, Dr. Meagan Jones Gray  and Dr. Jim Darling with a friendly whale in 2023!
We invite you to join us in supporting the 21st An We invite you to join us in supporting the 21st Annual Whale Tales by becoming a sponsor! Whether you’re an individual passionate about marine conservation or a business looking to make a positive impact, your sponsorship plays a vital role in our efforts.
Visit the link in our bio for more information!
#whaletales2027
#ThrowbackThursday Two of our co-founders, Dr. J #ThrowbackThursday 

Two of our co-founders, Dr. Jim Darling and Flip Nicklin, were all smiles for a day on the water about 15 years ago!
Join us in wishing our Executive Director and co-f Join us in wishing our Executive Director and co-founder, Dr. Meagan Jones Gray a very Happy Birthday! 

For over 25 years, Meagan has poured her heart and soul into the mission of Whale Trust and our organization would not be where it is today without her leadership! Today we are taking a moment to celebrate the person who makes so much of Whale Trust's work possible. 

Make sure you wish Meagan a happy birthday today!

πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‚πŸŽˆπŸŽ‰πŸŽ‚πŸŽˆπŸŽ‰πŸŽ‚πŸŽˆ
#ThrowbackThursday Throwback to the very beginni #ThrowbackThursday 

Throwback to the very beginning of Whale Trust's use of drones for our research. This is an early custom built drone, that we had made before drones were commonly used in marine mammal research. This drone opened up a world of opportunity for where we could take this type of study, unfortunately this particular drone sank and was not with us for very long.
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FEATURED PUBLICATIONS

 

LATEST NEWS

TUESDAY, AUGUST. 10 –
Malihini Holo’s Biggest Fans! Click here to learn more.

SUNDAY, JULY. 19 –
Whale Trust was Founded 25 Years Ago Today! Click here to learn more.

MONDAY, JUNE. 15 –
Whale Trust’s 25th Anniversary! Click here to learn more.

TUESDAY, JUNE. 2 –
Get Involved With Whale Trust This Summer! Click here to learn more.

TUESDAY, MAY. 5 –
Whale Tales 2027 Save the Date! Click here to learn more.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL. 29 –
Walk for the Whales! Click here to learn more.

CONTACT US

Phone:

(808) 572-5700

E-mail:

info@whaletrust.org

Mailing Address:

PO Box 1360
Puunene HI 96784

Whale Trust is a a 501(c)(3) based in Maui, Hawaii. Our tax ID is 91-2144632.

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Copyright β’Έ Whale Trust Β· Website Photos: Flip Nicklin/Minden Pictures & Ralph Pace/Minden Pictures; NMFS Permit #19225