AHUKINI — The winds were blowing, and driven by the wind, the ocean was not a pretty sight, its color sickened by the runoffs from recent rains and punctuated with heavy whitecaps. But that did not deter whale watchers who
AHUKINI — The winds were blowing, and driven by the wind, the ocean was not a pretty sight, its color sickened by the runoffs from recent rains and punctuated with heavy whitecaps.
But that did not deter whale watchers who flocked to the Ahukini State Recreational Pier site to take advantage of the first Brown Bag with Whales program hosted by officials with the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.
The events continue from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the pier this Friday, Feb. 18, and next Friday, Feb. 25.
Jean Souza, director of the Sanctuary’s Kaua‘i office said there were at least six volunteers before a squall hit around 11:30 a.m. on the initial gathering, sending watchers and volunteers scrambling for the shelter of their cars.
The task of locating whales was made more difficult by the numerous whitecaps that were generated by the brisk, chilly winds blowing in from offshore. Visitors who were hoping to get photos of whales settled instead for an occasional burst of water over the Ahukini jetty.
“The one good thing about this place,” Souza noted, “is that even if you don’t see any whales, it’s still a good place to enjoy a picnic lunch.”
However, due to the winds, most observers where snug within their own vehicles.
Souza noted that Brown Bag with Whales is also an excellent opportunity for students to get some hands-on experience with whale-watching, as there are volunteers on hand to disseminate information and literature on the migratory mammals that frequent Hawai‘i waters in the winter.
She pointed out that leaders at one school are planning a beach trip in the near future, and one of the goals of that school’s outing is the creation of a life-sized sand sculpture of a humpback whale.
Warren and Carrie Phillips of Plymouth, Mich., who arrived here earlier this month, decided to brave the weather after reading about the event in one of the visitor-industry publications. On the first lunch day, though, whales were not to be spotted.
Souza said the Brown Bag with Whales event is an offshoot of the Sanctuary Ocean Count that took place earlier. During the Ocean Count, there is little time for camaraderie or fellowship, as demonstrated by the group of a dozen Kaua‘i Community College biology lab students who were so engrossed in watching, it took a second student to record sightings lest the observer would miss a sighting while recording.
“There is more precision, and analytical work (at the counts),” Souza said. “Brown Bag with Whales allow the counters an opportunity for camaraderie and fellowship with no pressure.”
Additionally, Souza said people who want more information on the whales can visit the Sanctuary Ocean Count sites, where special people are on hand to help visitors.
Sheri Knapp of the Kaua‘i sanctuary office added, “They had at least a hundred people at the Po‘ipu Beach Park site at the last count.”
There are four sites on the island where people can visit for information. These include the Po‘ipu Beach Park, the Kilauea Lighthouse, Princeville Resort, and the Kapa‘a lookout.
“Look at these people,” Souza mused. “They’re prepared. They come with binoculars.” Most of the people safely cocooned within their metal and glass shields indeed sported binoculars in hopes of catching a blow or a breach, but with the wind-driven surf, hopes quickly diminished on Friday.
As one car pulled away, Souza called out, “See you next Friday. We’ll pray for sun.”
Brown Bag with Whales will be hosted each Friday in February from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Ahukini.
For more information, people may call the Sanctuary office at 246-2860. Better yet, just show up with your lunch. The volunteers will be there, and hopefully, the whales, too.
Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@pulitzer.net.
