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Season of Whales 2005-'06

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  • Season of Whales 2005-'06

    As in North Pacific Humpback whales and their annual migration from Alaska and the general north west coast to Hawaii.

    Starting approximately in October thru as late as April, Humpback Whales spend time in Hawaii's warm waters to breed and nurse their young.

    This is a lucrative time for tour boat operations, as tourist come in droves to admire these magnificent leviathans of the sea.

    Some view watching whales as almost a religious experience, admiring their incredible size, haunting communication sounds and human-like social behaviors.

    The island of Maui almost has a SUBCULTURE about them, as Humpbacks tend to frequent that coast line more than any other in the Hawaiian Island chain.

    I have yet to spot them off Oahu shores this season. Not one yet.

    Have you spotted any this season? Where? Do you have any experiences to share from past encounters?

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------

    As a young boy, we were boogie boarding at Makapu'u beach, when we could hear this weird, weird sound under water. When we looked there was this HUGE black thing swimming not far from us in the deep. We thought "SHARK"! Then it suddenly breached out of the water several times. It was a Humpback calf! Scared the living hell out of us. Never forget that.

    Not about humpbacks, but PILOT WHALES, like those you see at Sea Life Park...

    My friend's family used to own a long line fishing boat business. The Pilot Whales used to follow them UNDER their boat and wait until their line was hooked FULL of BIG EYE TUNA. Then when the line was fully hooked, they would go and eat ALL the Big Eye on the line, and leave the heads. Just the heads. We're talking Ahi almost as big as a compact car. Ouch $$$$$.

    Several years ago in LATE APRIL, a Humpback Calf put on a spectacular breaching performance off of Sandy Beach. It was breaching quick and erratic as if it was being chased by a (Tiger?) shark. Probably was. But what a show!
    sigpic The Tasty Island

  • #2
    Re: Season of Whales 2005-'06

    Off Maui, the humpback Mamas and calves tend to congregate in the area between Ahihi Kinau Marine Reserve (down by Wailea) all the way north up to Lahaina. I've seen them on a whalewatching boat off Kihei and from the air in a helicopter. Awesome view from up above...usually the calves travel with mama and at least an aunty or two.

    Humpbacks are awesome, but if you've ever seen an orca (killer whale) pod playing, that's even more spectacular. They're not as large as humpbacks, but they are very playful and very beautiful creatures.

    Miulang
    "Americans believe in three freedoms. Freedom of speech; freedom of religion; and the freedom to deny the other two to folks they don`t like.” --Mark Twain

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    • #3
      Re: Season of Whales 2005-'06

      Speaking of Maui, when we drove around Kahakuloa side (what a beautiful little hidden town!), we seen several MASSIVE pods of Humpbacks not far from shore. It looked like a huge armada of submarines clustered together. Awesome.

      We also seen quite a few off Makena, just past Wailea (Big Beach - not Little Beach!).

      Try the Navatek on Oahu. A few years ago we went on their whale watch tour for lunch. Kama'aina rate was only $30/person, which included a very tasty buffet lunch. Seen quite a few Humpbacks off Diamond Head.
      Last edited by Pomai; November 5, 2005, 08:45 PM.
      sigpic The Tasty Island

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