Tag Archive | "whales"
Case and Hirono tied in U.S. Senate poll, Hawaii libraries to get wi-fi, Legislature tinkering with civil union law, Caylee’s Law coming to Hawaii,…
Hilo Public Library (c) 2012 All Hawaii News Wi-Fi will soon be available at libraries across the state. Star-Advertiser. Ed Case and Mazie Hirono are in a dead heat for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Daniel Akaka, according to a new Civil Beat Poll. Civil Beat. The automated telephone survey of 1,358 likely voters found Case at 41 percent, Hirono at 39 percent, with 8 percent saying neither candidate and 12 percent still unsure. Hawaii may soon join dozens of other states in banning lawmakers from holding political fundraisers during the four months the Hawaii Legislature is in session under a new proposal. Civil Beat Legislative "fixes" to the civil unions law that took effect this year are working their way through the Legislature. Star-Advertiser. State lawmakers have introduced a host of bills in the new legislative session aimed at keeping pace with Hawaii's rapidly evolving energy sector, including one proposal that would force Hawaiian Electric Co. out of the power generation business and have it focus strictly on delivering electricity to customers. Star-Advertiser. Nearly one-third of Hawaii's 256 public schools will use revamped teacher evaluations next school year in a pilot program that will take into account student academic growth, amid concerns from teachers over how the new rating system eventually will be tied to their pay. Star-Advertiser. Parents and guardians who fail to report missing children could face felony charges under a bill before the Hawaii Senate. KITV4. Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie on Friday released more than $15.6 million for capital improvement projects statewide that are designed to improve the state’s public safety, wastewater, civil defense and communications infrastructure. Pacific Business News. The possibility of another big northwest swell has prompted the National Weather Service to issue a High Surf Warning that will take effect Monday at 6 a.m. Hawaii News Now. "Living in the Moment:" New campaign launches to market Hawaiian Islands. KHON2. State roundup for Jan. 30. Associated Press. Oahu As contract expires, many hope Pro Bowl will stay in Hawaii. KHON2 . Cayetano: Rail A Wall of Concrete Snaking Along Honolulu's Waterfront. Civil Beat. Prostitution Bust At University of Hawaii Professor's Apartment following website' sting. Hawaii Reporter. Hawaii The decision to fire four Hawaii County elections workers may soon start costing Big Island taxpayers. Tribune-Herald. The waters off the Kona Coast are teeming with life, a sign world-renowned animal expert Jeff Corwin said Sunday is hopeful and encouraging. West Hawaii Today. Maui A California developer wants to begin construction this spring on a shopping center that would be the largest outlet mall in Hawaii. Maui News. The Maui County Council General Plan Committee will conduct an informational meeting this week on the urban-growth boundaries being proposed in the draft Maui Island Plan. Maui News. The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii filed a complaint letter with the County of Maui this week citing concerns over First Amendment rights of protesters demonstrating near the Monsanto facility along the Pi’ilani Highway in Kihei. Maui Now. Kauai State Sen. Ron Kouchi, D-Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau, said the March 24 election of board members of the Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative will have a “tremendous impact” on diversifying the future economic base of the island. Garden Island. Kaua‘i volunteers spotted more whales than their counterparts on Hawaii’s other islands during a weekend ocean count coordinated by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Garden Island. Molokai Department of Land and Natural Resources is holding a community meeting regarding the security perimeter at the Kauanakakai Wharf to accommodate American Safari Cruises visits to Molokai. Molokai Dispatch.
Continue reading...Top Maui, Lanai and Molokai Festivals
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
With some help from our friends at the Maui Visitor’s Bureau, we’re listing the top festivals and events for Maui Nui – Maui, Lanai and Molokai. As you can see, there are plenty of excellent celebrations and events throughout the year. JANUARY Hyundai Tournament of Champions PGA Tour champions from the previous year compete in this televised, season opening, golf tournament at Kapalua Resort’s stunning Plantation Course for a $5,600,000 purse. www.pgatour.com/hyundai This event is usually scheduled for the first full weekend in January after New Year’s Day. FEBRUARY Great Maui Whale Festival This celebration honoring humpback whales features special events and eco-activities all month, including The Great Whale Count, sponsored by the Pacific Whale Foundation. The Parade of Whales and Whale Day Celebration offer live entertainment, a craft fair and food booths at Kalama Park, Kīhei. www.mauiwhalefestival.org . In 2012, World Whale Day is scheduled for February 18. MARCH Haʻīkū Hoʻolaulea & Flower Festival This event celebrates rural life and benefits local youth education programs. Enjoy lei making demonstrations, a floral design contest, bake sale, arts and crafts show, farmers’ market, historical displays, games and live entertainment. In 2012, this event is slated for March 31. APRIL Celebration of the Arts This annual event pays tribute to the people, arts and traditions of Hawaiʻi, hosted by The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua. Enjoy hula performances, workshops in Hawaiian cultural topics and crafts. A Hawaiian lūʻau with traditional foods, music and hula highlight Easter weekend. www.celebrationofthearts.org 2012 dates TBA. Annual East Maui Taro Festival Hāna’s annual cultural event celebrates Hawaiʻi’s traditional food staple with an all-day festival featuring live music, hula, arts and crafts, Hawaiian games and food booths, plus a taro pancake breakfast. www.tarofestival.org In 2012, this event will be held April 21.
Continue reading...Experience The Real "Aloha"
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Hawaii Travel Deals 11 days from $3,400 pp Promo Code:KTVNL Travel beyond the beaches in the exotic paradise that is Hawaii. Discover the "real" Hawaii as you visit Honolulu, Poipu and Wailea. Enjoy hiking, visit a plantation, see dolphins and whales, learn the hula, party at a luau and spend sometime sunbathing on beautiful tropical beaches. This Hawaii tour includes stays at luxury hotels, private transfers and internal flights. Call 1.800.330.8820 or click here to have a Hawaii Travel Specialist contact you. TravelWizard.com: Specialists in the Art of Travel: Call 1-800-330-8820
Continue reading...First Reported 2011 Humpback Whale Sighting
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Per StarAdvertiser report issued yesterday, the first humpback whale sighting of this season was on Monday, September 26th of the coast of Hawaii’s Big Island. Sea Quest tour captain Tony Roensch witnessed Monday two tail slaps from a humpback whale yearling in Honaunau Bay, the first confirmed whale sighting in the sanctuary this season, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said Wednesday. September 26th is rather early. Usually the first sightings are in mid-October. I believe this early arrival helps prove my theory that some whales don’t have calendars. This year’s winner of our annual contest to predict the first whale arrival is Robin A. Kelley with a guess of September 19. Congratulations to Robin! © Go Visit Hawaii – Republication of this entire post is prohibited without prior permission. Using extracts of less than 100 words are permitted with full attribution and link back to GoVisitHawaii.com .
Continue reading...Contest Alert: Predict the 2011 Hawaii Humpback Whale Arrival
Monday, September 12, 2011
It’s about that time of year for humpback whales to begin trickling in to Hawaii’s protected waters. Officially, whale season doesn’t begin until mid-December, but seems that there’s always some whales that just can’t wait to get back to Hawaii. Can you relate? September 16th is the earliest recorded humpback arrival to Hawaii. Normally, the first sighting is in October. The following list shows the first sightings in recent years: 2006 – October 11 2007 – October 7 2008 – October 8 2009 – October 20 2010 – October 20 We must continue our annual tradition of guessing the first humpback arrival in Hawaii with a contest! This year’s prize is a copy of Discovering Humpback Whales of Hawaii – 125 Fun Facts About Humpbacks . Here’s how the 2011 contest will work: Pick the earliest date you think the first whale sighting will be this year. Enter your prediction in the comments for this blog post. (Sorry facebook friends, but this time only blog comments will be eligible. It’s easier for me to keep track of all the guesses in one spot here on the blog.) The closest prediction without going over will win a prize. You must use a valid email address so that I can contact you when/if your prediction is correct. Note that your email address will not be visible on the comment. In the event of a tie, I will randomly select a winner from the tied predictions. We’ll use Hawaii newspapers and news stations as our source to determine when the first whale has been seen this season. One entry per person will be accepted. Anyone from around the world is eligible to enter. Our last winner was from Milano, Italy. Entries will be accepted through October 1, 2011. In the event that the first whale sighting is before October 1, 2011, valid entries will accepted through the day before the reported sighting. When do you predict Hawaii will have this year’s first sighting? Enter your prediction in the comments! We’re on facebook! Please click here to join us. © Go Visit Hawaii – Republication of this entire post is prohibited without prior permission. Using extracts of less than 100 words are permitted with full attribution and link back to GoVisitHawaii.com .
Continue reading...Your Take: Favorite Things About Hawaii
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Last week, I asked the wonderful Go Visit Hawaii readers to share their favorite thing about Hawaii . I truly enjoyed reading each comment and found myself nodding in agreement many times. I think you’ll definitely enjoy reading the compilation, which will tickle your senses while realizing the how richly blessed we’ve been to have visited Hawaii. Some of the most commonly mentioned favorite things are Hawaii’s warm year-round weather , the sunsets , the sand , the trees , the friendly people with Aloha Spirit , the excellent snorkeling , and colorful tropical flowers. This photo from Princeville on Kauai shows many of your favorite things -- trees, sand, and ocean. What else do you like? Well, from the following responses, you’ll see that there’s lots to love about Hawaii. Annette loves Hawaiian pineapples – “We can eat almost one a day! The tropical sweetness is like no other.” Judith’s pick was the Road to Hana was Judith’s pick. She enjoys seeing the waterfalls amidst the lush forest on this drive. Also, from the Road to Hana, Sheralyn likes the bamboo forest on the Pipiwai Trail at the Kipahulu section of Haleakala National Park . Steve loves the ocean – “[W]hether boating, whale watching, snorkeling or walking the beach – we love the blue waters of Hawaii! “ Former Maui resident, Tanya, explains how she loves and misses the sounds . “I was born and raised in Kihei, Maui and moved away with parents…I visit frequently and I never realized what I missed most until I was actually gone. I miss the waves crashing at night and the sound of the crickets and toads , if you went to Kihei now, you can still hear the waves, but not so many toads as Kihei is very popular, but I remember when there was only just one fast food place and Foodland to shop at….ahhhhh, memories.” Kauai’s Waimea Canyon was one of Anna’s and Joanne’s favorite things. Angeline had a very specific favorite thing — “hitting the Beach Bar at the Moana Surfrider for a glass of wine just in time for sunset.” Janet said, “I guess my favorite thing would be color . The color of the water, the bright greens of the mountains and all the trees and foliage. The color of the sunsets.” Kristi’s favorite things about Hawaii are: “ [I]t has all the elements of life: fire, water, mountains, volcanoes, salt air, rich island traditions with music and food… Hawaii celebrates life .” Daphne loves the “ romantic feel of walking down Waikiki Beach, hand in hand at sunset.” That’s why she and her husband are going there in July to renew their vows for their 10th anniversary. Jill had an eclectic list from her visit to the Big Island – farmers markets , photo opportunities and donkey balls . David’s response made me chuckle as I read it — “ G-O-L-F oh and everything else!” Sophie Sue’s favorite things evoke the senses of touch and smell — “The way the sand feels on my toes and the smell of the ocean.” Sharing Hawaii with her boyfriend two years ago was Shanna’s favorite thing. What a romantic impression the islands must have made on the couple as they’re getting married on Waikiki Beach later this year! Leialoha likes that in Hawaii “you can be as adventurous , or as lazy as you want while visiting.” Kamila’s list is quite adventurous — hiking, camping , kayaking , snorkeling were first on her list, but she topped the list off with her wedding . Julie mentioned that she likes how each island has its own beauty and is so different . Frances likes Hawaii’s clean air . James enjoys his long runs along the Queen K on the Big Island. Both Bob and Shawn say that Hawaii is “ heaven on earth ”. David had plenty of favorite things on his list including — “swimming at one of the Kam beach parks and FEELING the whales sing; photographing sunrises at Haleakala ; snorkeling at Ahihi Bay and watching the humuhumunukunukuapua’a swim around; listening to the bag piper play at sunset in Kihei; dinner at the Waterfront in Maalaea” The quirkiest responses was from Kris and I love it! He offered a very clever take with a Hawaii version of the song Favorite Things: “ Helicopter rides over hot, lava flows , brief mauka showers and double rainbows , dives underwater and hearing whales sing , these are a few of my favorite things.” Sheila Brennan was the randomly selected winner of the print on canvas. Congratulations Sheila. (Sheila’s a nice name, by the way. ) Her comment was, “Favorite single thing is the music …I love all the traditional dances that inspire the music or visa versa. I’ve attended three different luaus and all were just a bit different from the other. One should not visit the Hawaiian Islands without going to at least one luau. The pageantry is just breathtaking.” Thank you all so much for sharing your favorite things. I felt transported back to Hawaii as I read and savored each one of them. Mahalo for the trip! © Go Visit Hawaii – Republication of this entire post is prohibited without prior permission. Using extracts of less than 100 words are permitted with full attribution and link back to GoVisitHawaii.com .
Continue reading...The story behind our best whale breach photo
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Just over a year ago, we were on the Kohala Coast of the Big Island. While we were there, we took every opportunity we could to survey to ocean in search of a humpback whale. We loved it. On our final evening before flying back home, we took a sunset catamaran sail with Ocean Sports, which also served as a dinner cruise and whale watching cruise. Bonus! (See my review of Ocean Sports Big Island Sunset Sail from our first experience with them. Notice that the review includes a video of an unexpected and very exciting close encounter with a humpback.) Within a few minutes of starting our catamaran adventure, we started seeing some whale spouts (exhalations) and whales “logging” or floating near the surface. Then they’d disappear. We believe we may have been observing a mother, calf and a male. We’d still keep our eyes in the general direction of where we saw the whales as we floated along the Kohala Coastline. Several minutes would pass with no signs of the whales at all. Andy had snapped photos like the following, which were good, but the whales were somewhat subdued. They’re interesting whale shots, but not like the epic breach we were hoping to see and catch on film.
Continue reading...Oahu awash in garbage, MLK honored, whale watchers wanted, state bar rethinks rules, wind, geothermal, hydroelectric power slated, more Hawaii news
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
The humpback whale sanctuary is looking for volunteers to help it count whales on Kauai, Oahu and Hawaii islands. Associated Press. Federal scientists say more humpback whales means more collisions between Hawai‘i boaters and the giant endangered species. Associated Press. Medical waste and other trash continued to soil Leeward Coast beaches yesterday, washing ashore in spots farther down the shore from where the debris was initially found. Star-Advertiser . Twelve members of the mayor’s Landfill Site Selection Committee will meet this Thursday at Honolulu Hale to begin the process of recommending an alternative site to Waimanalo Gulch Landfill, which is scheduled to stop accepting solid municipal waste by July 31, 2012. KHON2. It's monthly bulky item pickup time but don't expect some of these items to go anywhere anytime soon -- the temporary landfill closure has led to refuse rejects. KHON2. Leeward beaches near the Waimanalo Gulch Landfill, including the lagoons at Ko Olina, remain closed Monday. Test results from ocean water samples taken Thursday show "very high" bacteria levels. Hawaii News Now. The temporary closure of the Waimanalo Gulch Landfill in Nanakuli has resulted in a bulky trash pile up in some Oahu neighborhoods. KITV4. The heavy rain is gone but all that water left behind is producing another problem more mosquitoes.
Continue reading...Humpbacks are Back in Hawaii
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Humpback whale making a splash off Hawaii's Kawaihae Harbor On October 20th, the StarAdvertiser reported the first humpback whale sighting of the season. Megan Haertling, spokeswoman for the Pacific Whale Foundation, said that Capt. Chris Howard, skipper of the catamaran Alii Nui, reported seeing a single young male whale at 9:35 a.m. This “single young male whale” was spotted about 2.3 miles off the west coast of Maui. I bet he’s waiting for the “single young females” to swim on over. If you’re going to Hawaii between now and May, keep your eyes peeled for humpbacks — especially if you’re going on a sailing excursion. Even though I’m almost 5,000 miles away from Hawaii, I am thrilled to hear the humpbacks are back in Hawaii. Whale watching is one of my favorite things to do when I visit the islands of Aloha. As you may recall, we had a little whale arrival prediction contest . . The winner predicted the arrival with uncanny accuracy. On October 1st, Jerry Sullivan said, “[T]he whales will show up off of Maui at 8:26 am October 20th, 2010”. Jerry’s prediction was only 69 minutes early. Wowza! Congratulations, Jerry. © Go Visit Hawaii – Republication of this entire post is prohibited without prior permission. Using extracts of less than 100 words are permitted with full attribution and link back to GoVisitHawaii.com .
Continue reading...Na Pali Snorkel Sail with Captain Andy’s
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Capt Andy’s tagline is “Nobody has more fun!” Well, count me in as a believer. We had a blast on their Na Pali Snorkel Adventure . What made the trip so much fun? Our captain, Captain Trent, kept us entertained and laughing most of the way. Have you ever been to a comedy show and laughed so many times you lost count, but when the show was over, you couldn’t remember a single joke? That’s what it was like being on a Capt. Andy’s adventure with Captain Trent at the helm. Capt. Trent at the helm. On previous visits to Kauai , we took an afternoon Na Pali Coast sail , so we wanted to compare that experience to the morning sail plus get an idea of the quality of snorkeling off the coast. Well, we got to experience one of those objectives. I’ll explain more in a minute. Our excursion started bright and early with a 7:15am check in at the Port Allen Marina Center in Ele’ele. (See Google Map of this area .) Luckily, the check in office/shop offered free coffee to help wake us up. From the shop, we were lead to the catamaran by our captain. Once we were on board, we given a safety briefing and then we were off on our adventure. After we moved beyond Port Allen Harbor, a continental breakfast was served. As we headed towards the Na Pali Coast, we enjoyed seeing dolphins. Though it was the official end of humpback whale watching season, we still saw some whales. Just one of the many intriguing cliff views of the Na Pali Coast. As we approached the cliffs of the Na Pali Coast, the ooo’s and aah’s began. It doesn’t matter how many times we’ve seen that coast, the scenery still catches us off guard each time. Captain Trent knew the coast very well and was able to angle the catamaran in close for the cliffs for excellent views of waterfalls, sea caves, and lava arches. We had never been that close to the cliffs from the water and it was fantastic! With our sailing adventure being at the beginning of May, we still experienced what locals would call “Winter” surf. That meant that the surf was rocky at times, and well, the crew wasn’t able to find a safe snorkeling spot. So, darn it, we’ll just have to go back on another tour to experience some Na Pali Coast snorkeling – with twisted arms, of course. As we searched for smooth water, we were able to sail away from the coast which allowed us a broader, “bigger picture” view of the coast. Once we found a smooth patch of water, a make-your-own-deli-sandwich lunch was served. The sails were raised and we enjoyed the peaceful ride and view of the coast. Na Pali Coast In total, the sailing adventure lasted 5.5 hours. Despite the the fact that we couldn’t snorkel, we still enjoyed our time. Here’s what to know when you go: The cost of the tour is $139 for adults and $99 for children. Book online 7 days (or more) before you go and receive a $10 web discount and a a free t-shirt. This discount is currently shown on this page . Wear a swimsuit and cover up. Bring sunscreen, towel, hat or visor, and sunglasses. Take proper precautions if you are prone to motion sickness. Only one kid on our trip got motion sickness at the end of our rocky ride and I think it was because he napped the entire time. Be flexible in your expectations. As we experienced, sometimes the surf doesn’t allow you to snorkel. We also experienced a mixture of clouds, rain, and sun. If possible ask to be on one of Captain Trent’s excursions. I’m not sure how the other captains compare, but we know Captain Trent was great. Have you been on one of Capt. Andy’s sailing or rafting adventures? How was your experience? © Go Visit Hawaii – Republication of this entire post is prohibited without prior permission. Using extracts of less than 100 words are permitted with full attribution and link back to GoVisitHawaii.com .
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Monday, January 30, 2012
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