Photos taken by Selket Kaufman
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
In a changing marine environment with increasing human threats, it is important for scientists and those working in conservation management to consider the larger level connections that keep ecosystems functioning. To address this, we wanted to better understand how spinner dolphins might contribute to the functioning of marine ecosystems around Maui Nui. Marine mammals have … Continued
A deeper connection to the place you occupy cannot be bought, it must be earned. Join our Mālama Pono program to learn how volunteering at local non-profits can help the ʻāina, the community, and most importantly, yourself. At Kīpuka Olowalu, you start the day with gratitude, connection, hand tools, excessive sunscreen, and an attitude to save the world. The host explains the evolution of native plants that took millions … Continued
The Global Movement That Saved the Whales Whales have long stirred the human imagination. From their presence in Hawaiian legends to their portrayal in classics like Moby-Dick, these giants of the sea embody both mystery and inspiration. Yet by the late 1970s, reality overshadowed myth: humpback whales were on the brink of extinction. In the … Continued
A juvenile false killer whale, its face clearly visible, documented by Selket Kaufman alongside the Pacific Whale Foundation research team. What is a False Killer Whale? Despite their name, false killer whales (FKW) are not whales at all—they’re actually part of the dolphin family. Known as blackfish, these sleek, intelligent marine mammals were named for … Continued
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 … Continued
Recently, Pacific Whale Foundation member and donor Erick Wand spotted an entangled whale off the west coast of Maui and took action. Read about the encounter below. Mahalo Erick. His story highlights the fact that anyone can make a difference! It’s up to all of us. Check out our wildlife viewing guidelines and reporting numbers … Continued
Pacific Whale Foundation (PWF) stands as a dedicated guardian of the ocean, using our science and advocacy to inspire environmental stewardship. Recognizing the pivotal role of the ocean in climate regulation, PWF aligns with global efforts to safeguard this vital ecosystem. Here, we explore the interconnectedness between COP28, the UN’s climate initiatives, and PWF’s commitment … Continued
Immediately following the Maui wildfires, Pacific Whale Foundation and PacWhale employees worked together to understand, meet, and advocate for community needs. In this time of coming together in an “all hands on deck” response, a new Pacific Whale Foundation and PacWhale Department was born. We’re proud to share our new, hard-working PWF Outreach Team. The … Continued
