LATEST NEWS
October 19, 2026
Maui Photo Expeditions Returning in 2027
Join us as we bring back our Maui Photo Expedition in 2027 led by renowned photographer Ralph Lee Hopkins!
Whale Trust Photo Expeditions are multi-day educational photo safaris. Guided and led by award-winning nature photographers, the expeditions will provide you with a unique and in-depth experience to learn and explore some of the key elements of nature photography with whales.
Our next expedition is February 15-18, 2027 on Maui! Space is limited so register today!
September 23, 2026
Dr. Haley Robb Spears!
10 years ago in 2016, Haley Robb Spears completed her first summer internship with Whale Trust while she was completing her undergraduate degree. Tomorrow (September 24, 2026), Haley will complete her PhD and become Dr. Haley Robb Spears. We are inviting you to tune in and watch Haley’s public defense tomorrow at 1:30 pm HST.
Haley has had a long history with Whale Trust and will be continuing her journey with our organization as the 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 an elementary 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.”
Haley as a high school student after her first biopsy.
August 11, 2026
Malihini Holo’s Biggest Fans!
We are the biggest fans of the Malihini Holo Team! This mother-son duo from Switzerland just took part in World’s Toughest Row this summer. They rowed 2,800 miles from Monterey, California to Hanalei Bay, Kauai. The voyage took Judith and Sandro 45 days.
Before they headed out on their journey, Judith and Sandro picked Whale Trust to be their charity for the race. They said, “The race takes us across the ocean. The engagement with this sensitive habitat was an important aspect of our final decision to donate all surplus income, as well as the proceeds from the boat sale, to Whale Trust.”
Thank you to the Malihini Holo Team for thinking of our organization. Your contributions will make a significant impact for our research and education programs!
July 19, 2026
Whale Trust was Founded 25 Years Ago Today!
July 19, 2026 marks 25 years of our organization. These past 25 years have been filled with discovery, connection, and community. As we reflect on our time as an organization, we are filled with gratitude for the people who have supported us along the way. Whale Trust would not be where it is today without people who have believed in our mission and therefore chosen to believe in us. We would like to thank each of you, whether you are just recently joining us, or have been here from the very start for making the choice to support our vision for the future: a world that understands, appreciates, and protects whales and the ocean planet that we share. We hope you continue on this journey with us to secure this future!
June 15, 2026
Whale Trust’s 25th Anniversary
As whale season on Maui drew to a close, the presence of the koholā leaves a lasting impression – one that extends far beyond the months they spend in our waters. Each season offers only a brief window to observe, learn, and deepen our understanding of these remarkable whales. This year, as Whale Trust celebrates 25 years of whale research, education, and outreach, we are especially grateful for the community that has made this work possible. Mahalo for being part of our journey! We invite you to celebrate this milestone with us by making a summer donation in support of Whale Trust’s next chapter.
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 each of the 1,000 people receiving this appeal pledges just $25 dollars a month for one year (about the cost of a monthly streaming subscription) we can reach this goal together.
Please join us in celebrating 25 years of Whale Trust and carrying this work forward—beyond this season and into the next chapter.
June 2, 2026
Get Involved with Whale Trust This Summer
Whale Trust has some exciting new volunteer opportunities to share with you! Our organization is very small, and we rely on the our outstanding team of volunteers to help us carry out our mission. If you love the ocean and whales and want to donate your time to our cause, please consider volunteering for one of the following positions:
- Operations and Administrative Support Volunteer
- Education and Outreach Volunteer
- Data Archive Volunteer
- Software Development Volunteers
- Whale Tales Planning Committee
To learn more about these opportunities, click the button below.
May 5, 2026
Whale Tales 2027 Save the Date!
We are proud to announce that we will be returning for our 21st year of Whale Tales! Taking place February 11-15, 2027 at the Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua, join us for a weekend of engaging presentations, inspiring films, connection with fellow ocean lovers and so much more! Mark the dates down in your calendar so that you can join us next year!
🗓️ February 11-15, 2027
📍The Ritz Carlton Maui, Kapalua or Streaming Online
April 29, 2026
Walk For Whales
Every step supports the whales we love and the ocean we share. Join Whale Trust as we participate in the 47th Annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk! If you’re on Maui, join us for a beautiful morning of fun, food, prizes, entertainment and a little exercise as we raise funds to support Maui, Moloka’i, and Lānaʻi non-profit organizations.
There are several ways to participate:
- Donate to our Charity Walk fund!
- Join our Charity Walk Team and help us fundraise through peer-to-peer networking!
- Register to come walk with us in Kahului on Saturday, May 9th.
You don’t need to be on Maui to participate!
Sing your song across your network and invite your off-island friends and family to support whales by donating to our charity walk team.
April 15, 2026
Jim in Japan
The Okinawa Churashima Foundation Research Institute, a collaborator on the North Pacific humpback song comparison study, and the Zamami Whale Watching Association invited one of our co-founders, Dr. Jim Darling, to the Kerama Islands, Okinawa to join them on their research boat for a few days and give a public talk on the project in Zamami Village.
With the assistance of the villagers, Jim worked with the whales here in 1989-1991. This was a chance to visit old friends and make new friends in the local research and whale watching community. It is a wonderful place with a lovely community that cares very deeply about their whales.
Pictured in the first photo from left to right across the top: Momoka Matsuda, Keiko Tamura, Sachie Ozawa, and research team leader Nozomi Kobayashi. The driver of the boat is Yukifumi Miyamura, aka Yuki, a pioneer whale researcher in Zamami.
Thank you to Zamami for welcoming Dr. Jim Darling and Whale Trust!
April 3, 2026
Got Whale Milk?
We had some incredible (and very rare) finds out on the water this week! On Monday, March 30, we received word that a milk sample from a humpback whale mother had been collected by @billemme with Maui Whale Adventures. Maui Ocean Adventures helped coordinate getting the sample to us knowing that it is uncommon to encounter in the wild. We were very excited to receive it!
Then today, Friday, April 3, while observing a resting mom and calf, we were unbelievably lucky to collect a second milk sample ourselves. We were also able to identify the mom through Happywhale and obtain a biopsy.
Both samples will be sent off for analysis, which can provide valuable insights into hormones, toxins, and overall milk chemistry.
March 26, 2026
There’s Still Time to Watch Whale Tales Presentations!
If you missed Whale Tales this year, don’t worry! There is still time to access the recorded presentations. All presentations will be available until April 6th. If you attended Whale Tales, the link and password have been emailed to you. If you did not attend and want to check out the videos, you can still register!
February 12, 2026
Silent Auction Opens TODAY!
We’re excited to announce that the Whale Tales Silent Auction begins today! The auction opens Thursday, February 12 at 12:00 pm HST and closes Sunday, February 22 at 6:00 pm HST. All proceeds will support the Whale Tales Beneficiary Fund.
January 8, 2026
Challenge Match Update!
Thank you so much to everyone who donated as a part of our challenge match. We exceeded our goal and were able to unlock the full extent of BOTH challenge matches. We are so grateful for everyone who has supported us and can’t wait to see what 2026 brings!
December 4, 2025
Whale Tales Early Bird Registration is NOW OPEN!
We invite you to join us in celebrating our 20th Anniversary of Whale Tales this February!
Returning for our 20th year in 2026, the Maui Whale Tales event is our largest annual community outreach and fundraising event that has grown into one of the most beloved marine science gatherings, uniting whale researchers and enthusiasts from around the world. For two decades, we’ve aimed to educate, inspire, and connect people with the latest discoveries in whale research and ocean conservation and have reached tens of thousands of individuals both locally and globally.
Whale Tales offers presentations by leading scientists and visual storytellers, a Mauka to Makai Science Expo featuring local organizations and hands-on activities, a Community Art Expo highlighting the talent of Maui’s artists and businesses, and Benefit Whale Watches hosted by our presenters! Guests can also enjoy special events from film screenings to sponsor receptions.
Whether you attend in person or online, Whale Tales brings the wonder of whales to you, wherever you are in the world!
We have limited space available, so make sure to register beforehand to reserve your spot!
If you register before January 4th, You will receive early access to tickets on our Benefit Whale Watches!
November 27, 2025
We are Thankful for YOU!
This is the season of giving thanks and reflecting on the people and partnerships that make our work possible.
Because of you, our work continues to grow — deepening scientific understanding, inspiring communities, and helping ensure that future generations inherit a world where whales thrive. Your belief in our mission fuels everything we do.
This season of thanks reminds us how powerful we are when we come together in service of something bigger than ourselves. Thank you for standing with us, for caring about the ocean, and for being part of the Whale Trust ‘ohana.
November 18, 2025
Vote for Whale Trust to win KaiAloha Supply’s Eco-Warrior Grant!
Whale Trust is honored to have been chosen as a nominee for KaiAloha Supply’s Eco-Warrior Grant. This grant is for $5,000, and the winner will be chosen from three incredible organizations. The winner of this grant will be chosen by public vote.
Help us receive the most votes!
Voting will be open until November 23. Vote for Whale Trust to help us win $5,000 to support our programs!
HOW TO VOTE:
- Click the button below to be taken to KaiAloha and Whale Trust’s Instagram post.
- Find the poll in the comments and vote for Whale Trust!
- Tag and share with all of your friends, to help us win!
All voters will also be entered to win an Ocean Love Package from KaiAloha!
November 14, 2025
Your Impact This Year: Whale Trust’s 2025 Annual Report
Thank you for making this year’s progress possible. Your generosity and belief in our mission continue to drive meaningful advances in whale research and education. We’re proud to share our 2025 Annual Report and invite you to explore the impact we’ve achieved together, as well as the momentum your support continues to fuel.
Thanks to your support, this year brought meaningful progress across our programs:
Strong Financial Stewardship: Your support has real impact, 83% of every dollar directly funds whale research and education initiatives.
International Humpback Song Research: Under Whale Trust’s leadership, 20 researchers recorded 148 humpback whale songs across 7 countries over 133 days last year.
Monitoring Stress and Reproductive Hormones in Humpback Whales: Across the winter and summer 2025 field seasons, the team documented 460+ whale encounters, identified 270+ humpbacks, and collected 150 biopsy samples in Hawaiʻi and Southeast Alaska. This included individuals sampled in both locations, providing rare insights into how hormone levels shift throughout the year.
19th Annual Whale Tales: A four-day celebration of science, art, and community on Maui that brought together 800+ in-person participants, engaged 186 elementary school students, and reached hundreds more via livestream.
November 11, 2025
Whale Season Training!
Over the past two days, our team provided a pre-whale season training to local whale watching and ocean related companies. We did two days of presentations, first providing the basics about humpback whales, and then doing a deeper dive into song, reproduction and current findings in whale research.
Over 50 people attended from 11 different companies!
Thank you to the Maui Ocean Center for donating the use of the sphere for this training.
November 5, 2025
Sponsor Whale Tales before December 15 and Receive a Mahalo Gift!
We would be honored to have you join us as a sponsor of the 20th Annual Whale Tales and help shape the future of ocean conservation, storytelling, and education. Below you’ll find our Sponsorship Benefits, which outline the unique recognition and opportunities available to you as a valued partner.
- Individual Benefits – Designed for ocean lovers and whale enthusiasts who wish to connect personally with Whale Tales.
- Business & Partner Benefits – Tailored for companies and organizations seeking to align their brand with our mission and connect with our community.
Join us in celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Whale Tales. All sponsors who pledge their support by December 15 will receive a signed 7.5″ x 5″ metal print by Flip Nicklin, a special mahalo to commemorate this milestone year.
October 20, 2025
The 20th Anniversary of Whale Tales Event Overview!
Join us for the 20th Anniversary Celebration of Whale Tales!
Dates: February 19-23, 2026
Location: The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua
Presentations will take place Friday, February 20, – Sunday, February 22.
Can’t make it in person? All presentations will be live-streamed! Registrants will have access to the recordings for 30 days after the event.
Full schedule and special events to be announced soon!
September 24, 2025
The Impact of Whale Tales Begins with YOU!
We are thrilled that Whale Tales is celebrating its 20th Anniversary in February 2026 – a major milestone in our journey of ocean storytelling, conservation, and community connection. Over the past two decades, Whale Tales has evolved into one of the most impactful marine conservation events in Hawai‘i, bringing together scientists, cultural practitioners, educators, artists, and thousands of ocean lovers from around the world.
This celebration wouldn’t be possible without the support of partners like you. Whether you have attended in the past, are a recurring sponsor, or a dedicated volunteer, each of you has helped to contribute to this special anniversary and we invite you to take a look back at the impact Whale Tales had in 2025.
July 15, 2025
The Marine Mammal Protection Act Needs Your Support NOW
The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) requires your support. A draft revision to the MMPA has been proposed, and a hearing is scheduled for July 22, 2025. The proposed revisions would dismantle the protections that the MMPA has ensured for the past 50 years. The MMPA represents a success story in the field of marine mammal protection. It is imperative that these protections remain intact.
The proposed amendments seek to relax existing regulations, prioritizing economic development and industries such as oil and fishing over the well-being of marine mammal populations. These amendments also shift the regulatory burden away from these industries and onto environmental organizations. These proposed amendments will dismantle regulations safeguarding endangered marine mammals, such as North Atlantic right whales and Hawaiian monk seals.
What can you do?
- Contact local representatives to voice your support of the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
- Watch the hearing on July 22, 2025 to stay informed.
- Share the MMPA’s successes from the past 50 years.
June 27, 2025
Concerning Gray Whale Update
Some troubling news has recently come out from Southwest NOAA Fisheries about the Eastern North Pacific population of gray whales. This population migrates past the west coast of the United States to northern feeding grounds.
The Eastern North Pacific gray whale population holds special significance for Whale Trust, as Dr. Jim Darling, one of our co-founders, began his research career studying this population of gray whales in the mid-1970s.
Despite population numbers being reported as high as 27,430 in 2015/2016, current NOAA estimates show a dramatic decline to around only 13,000 today – the lowest population estimate since the 1970s. Adding to the concern, there has been a sustained trend of low calf production since 2019. With population numbers and reproductive rates declining, this population is facing serious challenges in its ability to recover.
What does this mean?
Although this population of gray whales were removed from the U.S. Endangered Species List in 1994 and are not currently listed as endangered, the latest numbers suggest it may be time to reevaluate their conservation status.
At the same time of these declines, species protections in the US are being weakened. Several proposed bills aim to roll back safeguards for endangered species and their habitats. For gray whales—already stressed by changing ocean conditions, food scarcity, ship strikes, and entanglement—this is an especially precarious moment.
Read more from NOAA: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/eastern-north-pacific-gray-whales-continue-decline-after-downturn-during-unusual
June 10, 2025
We’re Hiring!
Join our mission-driven team dedicated to advancing knowledge about marine mammals and protecting the ocean environment. We seek a candidate who embodies the “Aloha Spirit” in all interactions with colleagues, donors, and community partners, and who is passionate about marine conservation and education.
For more information about the position, click the button below!
May 28, 2025
Injured Whale Returns to Feeding Grounds!
This February, the participants on our Maui Photo Expeditions spotted an injured whale that was missing a large portion of one of its flukes. According to Happywhale, this whale called Schooner has successfully made the 2,600 mile migration to return to its feeding grounds in the Salish Sea.
Schooner likely lost its left fluke due to a ship strike due to the size of the injury. With only half of its tale it is incredible that Schooner was able to make its way back to the feeding grounds.
You never know what you’ll see on our Photo Expeditions! We have another one coming up this summer in Juneau, Alaska! Join us, we can’t wait to see what we’ll discover!
May 16, 2025
Happy Endangered Species Day!
This year it is more important than ever to recognize not only the animals that are on the brink of extinction and threatened by human activity, but also the protections that keep them alive. Right now, many of these protections are being weakened, putting some of our most vulnerable species at risk. One of the proposed changes states that habitat destruction will no longer be considered “harm” to endangered species. At Whale Trust, we believe that protecting whales means protecting their entire ecosystem—not just the animals themselves, but the ocean habitats they call home.
If we want species to continue to recover, we must keep protecting them. Scientists warn that we are living through the sixth mass extinction event—driven largely by human activity—making it more urgent than ever to safeguard the biodiversity that sustains life on Earth. When we protect wildlife, we also protect the natural systems that provide clean air, water, food, and climate stability for everyone.
The Endangered Species Act works. Just look at the recovery of humpback whales. This is not about politics – it’s about the future we want to pass down to the next generation. This is about ensuring that our grandchildren and great grandchildren inherit a world where right whales, monk seals, false killer whales – and the critical habitat that supports them – and so many other threatened species still exist.
Hawaii has a higher number of endangered species than anywhere else in the world, with over 400 endangered species. Here in Maui, we are worried about how our diverse ecosystems will be affected if the Endangered Species Act is changed.
The time to act is now! Speak up for the Endangered Species Act and the importance of Marine Protected Areas. Share your thoughts with your community, friends, family—and especially your elected representatives.
Together, we can make a difference.
April 30, 2025
End of Season Research Update!
As whale season winds down here on Maui, we’re reflecting on an exciting and productive few months for the Whale Trust research team.
Hormone Research
This season, Haley collected data for her PhD research, which is focused on gaining insight into reproductive cycles and behavior in humpback whales on the breeding grounds. We know that there are a variety of females in different stages of their reproductive cycle while in Maui – with some females here to get pregnant, some about to give birth, some who have just given birth, and some who are juvenile.
Haley is also looking into how stress hormones might impact reproduction and influence behavior of whales. Understanding the hormones at play in these different stages will allow us to gain better insight into how they influence whale’s behavior and interaction with other whales. This season, Haley collected a total of 120 biopsies from males and females in different social groupings and has headed back to her lab to begin the analysis of these biopsies.
Pacific Song Project
This season, we’ve been busy recording whale songs right here in Maui, with the first songs heard as early as November! Huge mahalo to our friends at Teralani Sailing for dropping hydrophones daily to help us listen as the season began.
These recordings are part of the North Pacific Song Project, a collaborative effort led by Whale Trust to study how humpback songs evolve and spread across the Pacific—from feeding to breeding grounds. We’re collaborating with researchers from Central America, Mexico, California, British Columbia, Alaska, Hawaii, Northern Japan, Southern Japan, and the Philippines – some with multiple locations in a region.
The project runs from 2023–2026 and is already revealing fascinating patterns and insights to how the song changes over time and space. We’ve observed song phrases traveling across the Pacific – including a phrase originally unique to Japan now appearing in Maui’s 2025 song!
As the whales start to head north towards their breeding grounds, the time for analysis begins for our researchers. We want to thank each of you for your support, without our incredible supporters these research projects would not be possible.
NMFS Permit #25987
March 24, 2025
Whale Tales 2025!
Thank you so much for attending the 19th Annual Whale Tales! We saw many familiar faces and made some new friends this weekend—mahalo to each of you for joining us! Whale Tales was created to inspire collaboration and community while celebrating whales and the ocean. Your support makes this event so special, and we are truly grateful. We are already planning next year—stay tuned for 2026 dates to be announced soon!
Keiki Program
This year we welcomed 186 students from 3 westside schools to participate in our Keiki Program. The program started off in their classrooms, with a visit from Whale Trust where they learned the basics about whales and asked a lot of great questions!
Then the students took a field trip to The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua, where they rotated through stations and learned directly from the experts in whale research.
This year, the keiki participated in five presentations, two of which were hosted by The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. In those, they taught the kids about anatomy and let them explore their life-sized blow up whale, and hosted a disentanglement program where the kids learned about the tools and techniques used to free a whale from entanglement.
Whale Trust’s own Haley Spears hosted a presentation about humpback whale songs and Jean-Michel Cousteau, Ocean Futures Society, showed som footage of scuba adventures and inspired the kids to become conservationists. Finally, Dutch filmmaker Ellen van den Honert showed a short clip of her film “A Place on Earth” and taught the keiki about making art to help environmental conservation.
Mahalo to our Volunteers!
While our small team works hard to bring Whale Tales to life each year, Whale Tales would not be possible without the help of over 60 volunteers that dedicate their time to make it special for everyone! Thank you so much to each and every one of our incredible volunteers!
Challenge Match
Thank you to everyone who contributed to our challenge match. With your help we were able to reach our Whale Tales goal!
Not only is Whale Tales a way to connect with the science, art and conservation community, it also is a fundraiser. This year our challenge was to raise funds over the registration and operating fees to go to our Whale Tales Beneficiary Fund.
Your contributions help to support whale research programs in Hawai’i and across the North Pacific.
Mahalo for making Whale Tales a success!
View the event photos by Bryan Berkowitz on our Facebook page.
December 13, 2024
The humpbacks are back! Our field season is already underway.
The whale season is not quite in full swing yet, but our research is already happening for the 2025 whale season in Maui. Last week, our co-founder, Jim Darling kicked off our field season to capture early season recordings in Hawai’i. Getting song this early is very important so we can track changes that happen throughout the season.
Click the image to the left to see a video a lone male singer under our research vessel. Make sure your volume is up to hear the song!
Visualizing Song
On December 1, Jim recorded a humpback whale singing off Maui. This whale is pictured above. To analyze this song, Jim uses both the sound files and visual representations of the song captured in the spectrograph below.
Humpback whale songs are very complex and can be broken down to understand them further. Below is a visual representation of a part this whale’s song. The image shows the a piece of a song that we call the theme. This theme can be broken down into smaller pieces called phrases, and even smaller pieces called units. Click on the button below to hear what this visual sounds like.
December 2, 2024
Explore our 2024 Annual Report!
July 24, 2024
Double Your Impact: Support Whale Trust’s Vital Work Today
As a member of our Whale Trust family, you know that Whale Trust has been dedicated to conducting and supporting humpback whale research and education programs in Maui for decades. Our mission to understand and protect whales has been guided by our passion and commitment to preserving and protecting our ocean – a vital resource for us all!
The devastating wildfires that swept through our beloved Maui community last August have had a profound impact. Yet, with your help and support, we were still able to:
- donate to members of our ohana directly impacted by the fires, and to local NGOs working to restore and protect Lahaina;
- replace two lost research vessels and trailers – and a truck for towing and launching;
- host our 19th annual Whale Tales event at the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua;
- deliver a free marine education program for 275 school children displaced by the fires;
- launch a three-year humpback whale song study involving 20 researchers in 12 humpback breeding and feeding locations across the North Pacific Ocean;
- collect 82 tissue samples from humpback whales that will be used as biomarkers to measure reproduction and stress in breeding areas;
- complete initial hormone analyses for 336 samples collected to date.
The realities of conducting research here have become increasingly difficult, particularly with the scarcity and cost of housing and the lack of infrastructure in place. Facilities are limited. The research house we have called home since the late 1990s is no longer available, and we find ourselves searching for accommodation for our research team in an almost non-existent housing market.
In light of these challenges, we are reaching out with a special opportunity to make a meaningful impact. Two generous donors have stepped forward with a combined $40,000 challenge match to support our 24th consecutive research season – slated to begin in November 2024!
For every dollar donated between now and October 1, they will match your contribution, allowing your support to go even further in sustaining our research and education efforts, and allow us to plan for the year ahead. Funds raised during this campaign will help offset:
- Rising research infrastructure costs (incl. boat & trailer storage/insurance – $15,000);
- Transient accommodation costs for our research team between November and April ($28,000);
- Collection of tissue samples from Alaska feeding areas to compare with breeding areas ($20,100);
- Complete year 2 funding for our groundbreaking Pan-Pacific Song study ($67,500).
Your support is the foundation of our organization, and now, more than ever, we need your help to overcome these challenges and continue our mission. Together, we can ensure a brighter future for humpback whales and the ocean they call home.
Please consider making a donation today and take advantage of this incredible opportunity to have your impact doubled. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a meaningful difference in our efforts to protect and conserve humpback whales and the ocean we depend on.
Thank you for your unwavering support and belief in our mission.
With heartfelt gratitude and appreciation,
Meagan Jones Gray, PhD
Founder and Executive Director
February 28, 2024
Whale Tales 2025 announced for February 14-17, 2025!
In partnership with The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua, Whale Tales will be returning for President’s Day Weekend 2025! A list of our 2025 presenters and schedule will be released this Fall with registration opening in December! Stay tuned for more updates.
December 15, 2023
A Letter From Our Executive Director: We are endlessly grateful for your support!
As many of you now know, Whale Trust, along with many other friends, colleagues, and neighbors, lost two of its research vessels in the fires that devastated Lahaina and its harbor on August 8, 2023.
For us, the loss of our research vessels marked a notable setback but does not compare to the broad impacts that continue to be felt in our community. At the time of the fires, we deliberately chose not to ask for help for our losses. But many of you came forward anyway – reaching out to see how you could help us – and those we knew who were directly impacted. Because of you, we were able to disperse $40,000 to five families within our ohana (family) so they could begin rebuilding their lives and businesses.
The Multi-Faceted Impacts of your DOnations on displaced families:
These contributions have made an enormous impact: they went to fund scholarships for Lahainaluna high school students in memory of the loss of Clyde Wakida and to directly help individual families recover some of their immediate losses. All of these gifts are being paid forward, multiplying in impact. Replaced fishing poles are now being used to provide fresh fish every weekend to the frontline workers that are rebuilding our harbor. Others are using it for much needed replacement housing costs, loss of clothing, or materials used to do business. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you – for making such a tangible impact on our community.
A NEW BOAT AND TRUCK FOR WHALE TRUST:
In the midst of this tragedy, many miracles have occurred. Many of you called offering support in whatever way was needed, and some directed their donations to help us rebuild. Even though we hadn’t mentioned our losses, one of our supporters stepped forward and offered not only to help our ohana fund – but also to buy us a new boat because they had heard we lost ours! Although speechless at such an act of generosity, we gratefully and humbly accepted.
Two weeks ago our new research vessel arrived on Maui. and we are currently brainstorming names! Additionally, thanks to a donation from Coral Reef Alliance and assistance from Sidney Sparkman, Brightview Companies provided us with a new truck at a significantly reduced cost, enabling us to transport the boat to the water efficiently.
THE 2023/2024 FIELD SEASON HAS BEGUN:
As you can read about in our last post, last week we recorded our first whale song and got our first ID of the season of the 23-24 season! This is a key milestone in our three-year humpback song comparison study! Researchers from seven countries in the North Pacific are collaborating on this project, coordinated by Whale Trust and supported by grants from The John Lazarich Foundation, The Fluke Foundation, and The Hoffman Family Fund!
We are busy preparing for our field season and planning our 18th annual Whale Tales event set for February 16-19th, 2024, which we hope will bring some much needed hope and inspiration to those that can attend in-person or online.
Although this whale season will undoubtedly look and feel different, we are so grateful for all of our supporters. Thank you for being an integral part of our loyal Whale Trust community. We look forward to sharing more updates with you as we chart a new course for the future!
With much aloha,
Meagan & the Whale Trust Team
Mahalo nui and happy holidays!
December 8, 2023
The field season kicks off with first humpback song recording of the seasons!
The field season is underway and, on Dec 7, we recorded the first Maui song of the season—a key milestone in our three-year humpback song comparison study. Researchers from seven countries in the North Pacific are collaborating on this initiative, coordinated by Whale Trust and supported by grants from the Lazarich Foundation, Fluke Foundation, and the Hoffman Family Fund.
The comparison of the composition of songs of humpback populations across the North Pacific has occurred since the late 1970s. Our journey began with a collaborative study of same-season songs between Japan, the Philippines, and Hawaii in 2006, revealing distinct similarities and differences between the populations. This initial exploration laid the foundation for a more extensive three-year study from 2011 to 2013. Findings indicated an ongoing but variable mixing of humpback populations in the North Pacific, setting the stage for our current endeavors.
Our latest study, initiated in Fall 2023, with researchers across the North Pacific extends the comparison to humpback whale feeding and breeding grounds across 12 locations in seven countries: El Salvador, Nicaragua, Mexico, USA, Canada, Japan, and the Philippines.
Unlike previous studies, we now analyze seasonal changes in songs within each location and compare songs from fall feeding grounds in northern latitudes to lower-latitude breeding grounds. The goal is to understand how humpback populations adapt and communicate across vast oceanic expanses.
For more details about our ongoing study, visit our Current Research page!
PC: Flip Nicklin/Minden Pictures – NMSF Permit #29587
September 29, 2023
Humpback Whales Detected in the Deep Tropics During Breeding Season
A new study by Dr. James Darling and Beth Goodwin was recently published in Frontiers and unveiled an interesting facet about humpback whales: they venture far beyond their traditional breeding grounds, traveling to the deep tropical oceans during the winter months. This discovery challenges our previous understanding of humpback whale migration and sheds light on the complexity of their annual journeys.
Humpback whales are known for their annual migration to warm shallow seas where they give birth and mate. In the North Pacific, these breeding areas are located near the coastlines of Mexico and Hawaii, separated by thousands of miles of deep ocean. Until recently, it was believed that humpback whales primarily inhabited only these shallow areas during the breeding season.
However, in 2018 an acoustic survey using an autonomous device called Wave Glider uncovered something unexpected. Humpback whale songs were detected in the deep ocean between Hawaii and Mexico, prompting scientists to question the whales’ known migration patterns.
Now, this paper reports the results of a 2021 study that not only confirmed these findings but also expanded upon them. The survey, which retraced the 2018 route and extended it to Mexico’s Isla Clarion, recorded continuous humpback whale songs from Hawaii out to over 1,200 miles into the mid-ocean. These deep-sea concerts included multiple humpback singers and sometimes reached up to 3,000 calls a day.
What makes this discovery even more intriguing are recent reports of some humpback whales traveling between Mexico and Hawaii within a single winter season. This behavior has been reported only once before in 1986 and is now confirmed by multiple observations, aligning with the acoustic detections.
The significance of these findings goes beyond just whale songs. They suggest the existence of a recurring tropical offshore presence of humpback whales between the traditional breeding ground in Mexico and Hawaii. This presence could be due to within-season travel or perhaps represents a separate breeding assembly.
While the exact purpose of this deep-ocean presence remains unknown, this research reminds us that our understanding of North Pacific humpback whales is far from complete.
September 22, 2023
Happy 75th Birthday to Flip Nicklin!
This week, we celebrated a remarkable milestone in the life of a true legend, Flip Nicklin, co-founder of Whale Trust and renowned National Geographic photographer.
For over 40 years, Flip has been capturing the beauty of the natural world through his lens and his contributions have been nothing short of extraordinary. His dedication to furthering our understanding of whales and the ocean planet we share has left an indelible mark on our organization and the many that he has inspired throughout the world.
Through his photography, Flip has not only connected the public to the underwater world of whales, but his images and videography has also contributed significantly to the advancement of our research.
As we celebrate this birthday, let us take a moment to reflect on the incredible impact Flip Nicklin has had on Whale Trust and the world of marine conservation.
Happy Birthday, Flip! Your legacy of passion, curiosity, and conservation will continue to inspire us all. Here’s to many more years of making a positive difference in the world!
PC: Flip Nicklin/Minden Pictures; NMSF Permit #19225
August 11, 2023
Gratitude in the Face of Adversity
At Whale Trust, our hearts are deeply moved by the overwhelming love and support pouring in for both our team and the resilient Maui community in the face of these devastating wildfires. Your care and thoughts means the world to us.
As we navigate these challenging times, our focus remains on uplifting those most affected by these events. We’re committed to standing by our community every step of the way.
We will share more over the coming weeks, but our focus at the moment is to give back to our community that has supported us for so many years. If you’re looking for ways to help, consider donating your resources or time to support the incredible organizations on the ground that are working tirelessly to restore and uplift Maui. Here are just a few:
Maui Strong Fund (Hawaii Community Foundation)
Maui United Way
Maui Food Bank
Maui Rapid Response
Maui Humane Society
Mahalo,
The Whale Trust Team