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The Whales are Back!

Celebrate with "Welcome Home the Whales"

According to the staff at Pacific Whale Foundation, it's the most wonderful time of the year -- the time when the humpback whales return to Maui's warm, sparkling waters.

Whale sightings have been reported in recent weeks by the crew of Trilogy V, Pacific Whale Foundation's Ocean Spirit, and the fishing boat No Problem. Another sighting was reported from the shore of Wailea by a visitor from Chicago.

To celebrate the return of these 40-ton endangered mammals, Pacific Whale Foundation is holding its annual "Welcome Home the Whales" Celebration on Saturday, November 27. The celebration will also launch the year-long celebration of Pacific Whale Foundation's 25th anniversary as a non-profit organization.

You can embark on a "Welcome Home the Whales" Celebration cruise on Pacific Whale Foundation's Ocean Voyager (from Ma'alaea Harbor) or Ocean Quest (from Lahaina Harbor) to cruise through the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary and learn about whales with Pacific Whale Foundation's senior research and education staff. The cruises each take place from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Check in is at 1:30 p.m. Price is  $19.95 ($21.18 with tax and harbor fees)  for adults, and $15 ($15.92 with tax and harbor fees) for children ages 7-12. The cruise is free for children ages 6 and under (one child per paying adult). Each party will receive a free color Whalewatch Guide and a free color Whale Poster. Kama'aina and Pacific Whale Foundation Member discounts are available.

As part of the celebration, Pacific Whale Foundation's Ocean Discovery Stores at 612 Front Street and The Harbor Shops at Ma'alaea will be hosting a Welcome Home the Whales Sale. Throughout the day on Saturday, November 27, you can enjoy discounts on select whale-themed merchandise.  You'll also receive a free "I Love Whales" bumper sticker with any purchase over $5.

Starting on November 15, Pacific Whale Foundation will be offering Whale Search Eco-Adventures. These two hour cruises feature expert narration about whales. Sightings are not guaranteed. Kids can participate in a free Junior Naturalist Program. All passengers can learn about whales and whale research.  The Whale Search cruises take place on Ocean Explorer from Lahaina Harbor daily from 9:15 - 11:15 a.m.

Pacific Whale Foundation guarantees whale sightings on its whalewatch cruises starting on November 28. If you don't see a whale, you'll receive a "Just a Fluke" coupon to go again -- FREE.

For reservations for any of these cruises, please call Pacific Whale Foundation at (808) 249-8811 or 1-800-942-5311 from the neighboring islands or mainland.

December 1st marks the opening date of Pacific Whale Foundation's free Whale Information Station at McGregor Point Lookout on Route 30, the Honoapiilani Highway, between Maalaea and Lahaina. Stop there to get expert tips on locating whales and current information on the most recent whale activity. There will be whale artifacts on display, and visitors can pick up free color guides to watching Hawaii's whales. This is a free public information service by Pacific Whale Foundation, offered daily, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

In addition, Pacific Whale Foundation is offering a FREE multimedia presentation, "Why Whales Do That!" twice daily, starting on December 1. This 20-minute presentation features thrilling imagery and expert commentary and is available free to the public, at 12:45 and 3:15 pm daily at the Ocean Science Discovery Center, located at The Harbor Shops at Ma'alaea (next to Maui Ocean Center).

All of these events are part of The Great Maui Whale Festival, which runs from December 1 through May 15. To learn more about other events that are part of The Great Maui Whale Festival, visit www.pacificwhale.org.

For those who'd like to learn more about whales, Pacific Whale Foundation offers a free, full-color, educational guide, "Watching Hawaii's Humpback Whales." Simply send a SASE envelope to Pacific Whale Foundation, 300 Ma'alaea Road, Suite 211, Wailuku, HI 96793 to obtain your copy.

Pacific Whale Foundation is a nonprofit organization based on Maui, whose mission is to promote appreciation, understanding and protection of whales, dolphins, coral reefs and our planet's oceans. This is accomplished by educating the public -- from a scientific perspective -- about the marine environment. In addition, Pacific Whale Foundation supports and conducts responsible marine research and address marine conservation issues in Hawaii and the Pacific. Through educational ecotours, Pacific Whale Foundation models and promotes sound ecotourism practices and responsible wildlife watching. To learn more, visit www.pacificwhale.org.

Edited by Dave Shultz

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