Posted on: Tuesday, July 6, 2004

Whale pod moves on after Hanalei Bay visit

Associated Press

HANALEI, Kaua'i — A pod of about 200 melon-headed whales have left Hanalei Bay Sunday morning, a day after they amazed specialists by moving so close to shore.

The whales, which look and act like dolphins, swam about 100 yards offshore and didn't appear to be in distress, life guards reported Saturday.

The whales drew the attention of surfers, kayakers and body boarders, who paddled out to the pod to get a closer look.

The whales usually stay far from shore, so it was a mystery as to why they came into the bay, according to Brad Ryon, a marine biologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

It has been about 30 years since there was another mass sighing of melon-headed whales close to shore, Ryon said. About 30 whales were found stranded on the beach in Hilo Harbor.

Ryon was looking into the possibility that the Rim of the Pacific military exercises may have had something to do with the whales' behavior. Six ships northwest of Kaua'i ceased sonar operations as a precaution Saturday, a RIMPAC spokesman said.

A team of NOAA veterinarians and marine biologists and specialists from the Hawaiian Islands Stranding Response Group arrived at the bay Saturday night.

Volunteers camped on the beach overnight to ensure no whales beached themselves.

Melon-headed whales, which grow to about 9 feet and weight 370 to 400 pounds, usually swim at least 20 miles offshore. Pods usually range from 100 to 500, with a maximum of about 2,000.

Two melon-headed whales beached themselves and died last August at Hau'ula Beach Park.