Pacific Whale Foundation president Greg Kaufman will deliver a free talk Feb. 19 titled "Hawai'i's Humpback Whales: Back from the Brink?"

The event from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Whale Foundation's Discovery Center in Ma'alaea is part of the group's Great Maui Whale Festival and the Making Waves Lecture Series.

Kaufman will examine the recovery of humpback whale populations and new research findings.

LIBRARY TO OFFER PROGRAMS FOR TOTS

Wai'anae Public Library is offering two free one-hour programs for children ages 3 to 5: a Preschool Pajama Party, at 6 p.m. on Feb. 11; and a Preschool Storytime at 10 a.m. every Thursday through April 23.

The Storytimes will feature stories, sing-alongs, finger plays and a simple craft. No registration is necessary.

The Pajama Party will feature a story told by Aunty Hardy, and a brief moment of pillow play. The registration deadline is Feb. 15, and the party is limited to 20 people. For more information, call 697-7868.

BIG ISLAND MAYOR NAMES DATA CHIEF

Hawai'i County Mayor Billy Kenoi named Burt Tsuchiya as director of the county Department of Data Systems.

The appointment fills one of the last vacancies in the mayor's cabinet. Kenoi was sworn in as mayor Dec. 1.

Tsuchiya, 41, has been a county systems analyst in the department since 2007, responsible for planning, designing and developing information systems. Tsuchiya also worked as a programmer for KTA Super Stores from 1993 to 2007.