Each year, North Pacific humpback whales embark on an incredible migration, traveling thousands of miles from Alaska’s feeding grounds to Hawaii’s warm waters to breed and give birth. Once pushed to the brink of extinction by commercial whaling, they now stand as symbols of resilience and hope. In recognition of their ecological importance, Pacific Whale Foundation was founded in 1980, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to protecting whales and their ocean habitat through research, conservation, and education.
World Whale Day was first established on Maui, Hawaii, by Greg Kaufman founder of Pacific Whale Foundation (PWF), to commemorate their recovery and raise awareness about humpback whales and the threats they face. “Whales move through the depths with their songs woven with mysteries older than our time, their intelligence a testament to the vast, unseen wisdom of the ocean. It’s all part of our mission to protect our oceans through science and advocacy.” Greg Kaufman.
World Whale Day was a highlight of the Maui Whale Festival, a month-long celebration held each February at the peak of humpback whale season, organized by the Pacific Whale Foundation (PWF) to honor their annual migration to the Maui Nui Basin. The festival aimed to educate and inspire environmental stewardship through a diverse array of events designed for all ages, fostering a deeper understanding of marine mammals and their ocean habitat.
Community engagement played a vital role in supporting PWF’s mission to protect whales and their marine environment through science and advocacy. Highlights included VIP whale watch trips led by scientific experts, Evening with the Experts, featuring special guests such as the filmmakers of Blackfish, and the World Whale Film Festival, showcasing inspiring short films from local and international artists. Other major events included the Great Whale Count, a citizen science initiative, the Run & Walk for Whales marathon, as well as large-scale community beach cleanups across Maui.
World Whale Day was last held at Kalama Park in 2019, featuring live music, local artists, food vendors, and the historic Whale Parade. As one of Maui’s largest community gatherings, the event brought together residents and visitors to celebrate the humpback whales—a cherished annual tradition. However, in the years that followed, the island faced significant challenges, including the pandemic and the devastating Lahaina wildfires, making it increasingly difficult to host large-scale events.
Over the years, World Whale Day has grown beyond Maui, becoming a global event dedicated to whale conservation. It serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need to protect all whale species from ongoing threats such as entanglement, ship strikes, climate change, and ocean pollution.
There are many ways to celebrate and contribute to whale conservation on your own. Consider taking family and friends on a whale-watching tour with a responsible operator that follows best practices. If you’re heading out on your own, be mindful of whales in the area, respect approach limits, and observe marine life from a safe distance.
Participate in beach cleanups, make informed choices about seafood consumption by supporting fisheries that use whale-safe methods, often smaller-scale operators. Advocate for stronger whale protections by reaching out to legislators or signing petitions that support conservation efforts in your area. You can also support ocean conservation efforts by becoming a member of marine organizations such as Pacific Whale Foundation.
World Whale Day is observed on the third Sunday of February, falling this year on February 16th. Looking ahead, there is optimism for the future, with aspirations to revive and expand the celebrations in the coming years to honor these magnificent creatures. Filmmaker Selket Kaufman, creator of A Voice for Whales, honors her late husband’s life’s work and enduring legacy: “He was their voice—he understood them, devoted his life to their protection, and sought to help people everywhere recognize their profound importance to our planet and its future.”
With renewed commitment and hope, we continue our mission, ensuring that whales remain a symbol of resilience and a reminder of our shared responsibility to protect the ocean and planet we all share.
Watch the following award-winning documentaries to learn more about Greg’s work and Pacific Whale Foundation
In 2018, Pacific Whale Foundation’s founder Greg Kaufman passed away after a hard-fought battle with cancer. ‘A Voice for Whales’ was created to tell the story of his fight to save humpback whales from extinction by educating the public, from a scientific perspective, about whales and their ocean habitat.
Visionary creates grassroots social enterprise to prevent whale extinction. Now the organization races against time to battle new threats using research, education and conservation methods to help sustain a delicate balance between humans and marine life
On Australia’s east coast, a pristine bay shelters migrating South Pacific humpback whales. Pacific Whale Foundation (PWF) conducts long-term, noninvasive research on their migration and habitat use. Today, PWF Australia works to restore this threatened paradise amid climate change and unsustainable tourism.
