A good whale year? Well, maybe, more or less
By Timothy Hurley
Advertiser Maui County Bureau
MA'ALAEA, Maui — Where are the whales?
Advertiser library photo
That's what some people are saying after a seemingly slow start to the annual humpback whale season in Hawai'i.
Some scientists say the humpbacks are out there as usual, but it could be that stormy weather has been keeping whale watchers in.
"By February we're usually dodging whales. This year it's not like that,'' said Freddy Rutledge, captain of the Triology V tour boat out of Ma'alaea.
Others, however, insist the season is just as good as last year, when the humpbacks were spotted in Maui waters early and often.
"There are whales absolutely everywhere,'' said Zeke Machado, captain of the Lahaina-based Kaulana, owned by Club Lana'i.
Still, it appears numbers are down — at least in certain areas. Observers at the Dolphin Institute's shore station at Olowalu, Maui, which has sweeping views from Kaho'olawe to Moloka'i, have recorded one-third fewer whales this season than last.
"Probably all it is is some late-arriving animals, but we are seeing lower numbers,'' said Mark Deakos, a Dolphin Institute researcher.
Deakos said the consensus among marine scientists is that the North Pacific's humpback whales continue to increase their numbers. Research and aerial surveys by University of Hawai'i Professor Joe Mobley, he said, indicate that humpbacks, once hunted near extinction, are increasing their numbers by as much as 7 percent to 8 percent each year.
Between 4,000 and 5,000 humpback whales are thought to migrate to the warmer waters of Hawai'i every year to breed, calve and nurse their young. The worldwide count is estimated at 8,000.
Hawai'i's whale season generally stretches from December to the beginning of April, but many researchers don't get to the water until late February and March — the peak of the season.
Most of Hawai'i's humpbacks are found in the relatively shallow waters between the islands of Maui, Lana'i, Kaho'olawe and Moloka'i, as well as in the Penguin Banks region just west of Moloka'i.
Maui is the heart of Hawai'i's whale-watching industry, generating about two-thirds of the state's whale-watch passengers. A 1999 study commissioned by the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary shows that the whales are worth an estimated $19 million to $27 million to Hawai'i's economy.
But is this year's whale season really slow?
"It sure seems that way to me,'' said Vici Tate, a boat captain with Mike Severns Diving in Kihei. "There have been only two days this year when it seemed there were a lot of whales. It's just not like all the time, like it was last year.
"Maybe they're staying underwater a lot longer.''
Rutledge, who has been taking people on whale-watch cruises for 10 years, said it's the worst season in terms of numbers of whales.
Last weekend, he sailed with a crew from "Kidscience," a Hawai'i educational show on public television. "All they wanted to do was find some whales, but I really had to travel to do it,'' he said.
Over at the Ma'alaea Banyans, an oceanfront condominium, the consensus among residents is that there have been fewer whales to watch this year, said Marylyn Baker, resident manager.
In nearby Kihei, Adele Rugg also is wondering what happened to the whales this year. Whether it's volunteering at the Mercedes Open in Kapalua in January, dining at an oceanfront restaurant in Wailea or driving on West Maui's coastal highway, Rugg just hasn't seen as many whales as in the past.
A recent statewide shoreline survey by the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary generally came up with less-than-spectacular results, although the numbers have yet to be analyzed.
But any disappointing data may have more to do with less-than-ideal conditions for the volunteer spotters, said Chris Brammer, who coordinated the Jan. 26 Sanctuary Ocean Count in sometimes stormy weather on O'ahu, Kaua'i and the Big Island.
Brammer's impression is that the whales were showing up later this year.
Several scientists, including marine biologist Hannah Bernard of the Maui Ocean Center aquarium, suggested that this winter's turbulent weather may have limited what could be viewed from shore. Storms have caused the cancellation of more than a few whale-watch excursions as well.
Some whales may be choosing to swim farther away from land to avoid the muddy waters created by the runoff from recent storms..
Not everyone believes it's a down year for whales.
Dave Jung, president and general manager of Sea Link of Hawai'i Inc., operator of the Moloka'i ferry, described this season as spectacular, with higher concentrations of whales near Moloka'i and Lana'i.
"So far this has been one of the best seasons in years,'' Jung said.
Michelle Morris, research project manager of the Island Marine Institute in Lahaina, said she doubts there are fewer whales this year. Every year, she said, some people would suggest that.
"It's always a stuttered start in December, but then they compare it with the height of the season last year,'' Morris said.
John Patti, a boat captain with the Kihei-based Pacific Whale Foundation, said he's seen just as many whales this year as last, even though he always hears from highly expectant passengers who say, "Where are all the whales?''
CORRECTION: Scientists estimate that 4,000 to 5,000 humpback whales migrate to Hawai‘i to breed, calve and nurse their young each winter. The worldwide humpback whale count is estimated at 8,000. An earlier version of this story was wrong because of an editor’s error.
