Canoe plants, taro patches, medicinal gardens, and a river that keeps calling people back. This is what mālama ʻāina looks like in Waiheʻe. Earlier this year in January, a group of volunteers laid out 44 triangular motu (small planting islands) across the sand at Hawaiʻi Land Trust’s Waiheʻe Coastal Dunes refuge. Each motu was carefully … Continued
Here’s what our Outreach Team and volunteers accomplished alongside the Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) between January and July. Earlier this year, at Olowalu, a small group of volunteers planted ʻulei, maʻo, and ʻākia; three of the hundreds of native plants that would eventually number in the thousands along this stretch of coastline. By … Continued
From Papawai to Lānaʻi, Pacific Whale Foundation’s volunteer divers are hauling recreational fishing debris from Maui’s reefs, one dive at a time. The entry point is a familiar one: Papawai Scenic Lookout on Maui’s south shore, where whale watchers often gather on the cliffs above. But below the surface, a different kind of watching is … Continued
A seven-year study tracked the body condition of nearly half of Hawaiʻi’s insular false killer whales, and what researchers found should alarm all of us. From a 20 feet above the Pacific, a drone camera captures something that would be impossible to see from a boat deck: the gradual wasting of a whale. Not in … Continued
A new study co-led by Pacific Whale Foundation has documented the longest ocean crossings ever recorded for individual humpback whales, and it started with a single photo of a tail. In September 2025, a humpback whale surfaced in Hervey Bay, Queensland — one of Australia’s most celebrated whale-watching destinations. Researchers photographed its tail flukes, as … Continued
While carrying out surveys in the offshore waters of Lānaʻi, the Pacific Whale Foundation (PWF) research team anxiously waited for a marine mammal sighting, and what they found was unexpected! The ocean may be vast, but two different species defied norms and were spotted in a rare interspecies interaction. One melon-headed whale was seen within … Continued
The Heart of Protecting Maui’s Ocean Environment April is the time to celebrate Volunteer Month! We are beyond grateful to all the volunteers who give their energy to create positive change. At Pacific Whale Foundation, volunteers are at the heart of protecting Maui’s ocean environment. Every cleanup, research observation, educational experience, and community event helps create a healthier future for ocean life. Let’s jump into the ways our volunteer efforts make a difference! Mālama Pono This community stewardship initiative welcomes residents and volunteers on vacation. Mālama pono … Continued
As winter eases across Hawaiʻi, the Maui whale watching season begins its close. This year’s heavier rains brought a more challenging ocean, a reminder that nature sets the rhythm. Yet one truth remains: if North Pacific humpback whales return to these warm, protected waters, Maui will continue to stand among the world’s most extraordinary destinations … Continued
How Impact Moves Policy Change and Community Engagement If you haven’t read our first blog covering the first five steps of the Science-to-Action Pipeline check it out! Pacific Whale Foundation’s Science-to-Action Pipeline begins with rigorous research designed to better understand whales, dolphins, and the ecosystems they depend on. Through long-term monitoring and collaborative studies, our … Continued
How Pacific Whale Foundation Achieves Impact At Pacific Whale Foundation, our approach to conservation connects science, education, and action. Research provides the foundation, but meaningful protection for whales and dolphins happens when scientific knowledge is translated into public awareness, community engagement, and informed management decisions. To ensure this happens, we follow a process that links the … Continued
