Some 137 Kaua’i volunteers turned out Saturday to take part in the eighth annual Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Ocean Count. The participants spread out to look for whales from 15 shoreline locations around the island. said Jean
Some 137 Kaua’i volunteers turned out Saturday to take part in the eighth annual Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Ocean Count.
The participants spread out to look for whales from 15 shoreline locations around the island. said Jean Souza, Kaua’i Sanctuary Liaison for the government agency.
Souza said trained interpreters versed in scientic information about whales who travel Hawaiian waters helped out.
Whale watching locations for the count included: Lumaha’i Lookout, Princeville Hotel, Kilauea Lighthouse, Crater Hill, Kapa’a Lookout, Ahukini Landing, Ninini Point, Maha’ulepu Haula, Maha’ulepu Makawehi, Makahuena Point, Po’ipu Beach Park, Kaiwa Point, Port Allen Cemetary, Waimea Canyon Drive and the Pacific Missile Range Facility.
The average number of whale spottings at each site was 71, as recorded in a spreadsheet print out provided by Souza to The Garden Island.
The most sightings were made between 9 a.m. and 9:15 a.m. when a total of 97 spottings were reported.
A free shorebased whale watch program called “Brown Bag with Whales” is to be held in Lihu’e every Friday this month. The public is invited to join the sanctuary staff and trained volunteer interpreters in watching humpback whales at Ahukini State Recreation Pier in Lihue, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Viewing scopes will be available.
The next Ocean Counts event is set for Saturdays Feb. 28 and March 27, with Ocean Count volunteer training scheduled for Thursdays, Feb. 26 and March 25 in Lihu’e. For information and registration, call 246-2860.
