A 61-year-old woman from Bremerton, Wash., was injured today when a whale surfaced next to a whale-watching boat and its pectoral fin his the boat, Maui police reported.

The woman was taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center with what were initially reported to be minor injuries, police said.

The woman was on a whale-watching expedition aboard the "Hokulani" of the Center for Whale Studies when a male Humpback whale surfaced next to the starboard side of the boat about 1:25 p.m.

The whale's pectoral fin reportedly slammed into the boat, causing the woman to fall, police said.

The boat's railing on the starboard side was smashed and thin pieces of tissue, believed to be from the whale, were found on the boat's hull.

The boat's captain reported having a permit that allows him to be in close proximity to whales, police said.