The Pacific is heading into what could be the strongest El Niño on record. In its October 8 update NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center put the odds at 83% that this October through December beats every el Niño since 1950 [1]. As the Pacific warms, it shifts weather and climate patterns around the globe. We’ve been … Continued
For PWF’s Education Department, this summer meant tide pools, loʻi cleanups, and a first-of-its-kind return to Lāhainā. From the deck of our onboard floating classroom to the seat of a submarine, Maui’s youngest ocean explorers spent their summer getting closer to the sea than a classroom ever could. Three programs, three age groups, one shared … Continued
From preparing an area that would be home to a 133-tree coconut grove to the beginnings of building a rock wall by hand along the Waiheʻe River, here’s what our Mālama Pono volunteers accomplished alongside Hawaiʻi Land Trust between January and August. In January, a group of volunteers laid out 44 triangular motu — small … 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
