A benefit concert celebrating The Whalesong Project, a Web site where people can listen to whales singing off the the Honua'ula Coast of Maui, will be held at Studio Maui on March 19 at 8 p.m.

The songs are transmitted through a a live underwater microphone that has been attached to a solar powered buoy called Hokumoanalani , or heavenly ocean star. The whale songs are converted into an mp3 stream and can be heard at www.whalesong.net.

The system has been refined over the past several years, and has successfully broadcast the live whalesongs from Maui for eight seasons.

The site is run by volunteers involved on Maui (and now also in Germany), and operates on a small annual budget.

"It is important to use good quality speakers when listening to hear the low frequency and subtle nuances of the songs," Founder and Executive Director Dan Sythe said. "The songs this year are spectacular, and are especially interesting at night and early morning."

Sythe said children are especially fascinated by the songs, and many classrooms around the world tune in as a learning experience.

Whalesong is a nonprofit Hawai'i corporation, and volunteers in Germany have also incorporated an affiliated project there. The German group maintains a German language version of the website at www.whalesong.info.

Featured musician at the March 19 benefit is David Rothenberg, who is releasing his new book and CD, "The Thousand Mile Song – Whale Music in a Sea of Sound."

The concert will be opened by Keaolani, with Hawaiian Music and Hula, and will end with a live dance to live whale songs accompanied by live human musicians.

The dance will be facilitated by Five Rythms Teacher Amara Pagano. Tickets are $15 to $30 sliding scale and will benefit The Whalesong Project.