The Humpback Whale

Humpback whales come to Hawaii to mate and have their babies because the warm and shallow waters of the Hawaiian Islands provide a safe and conducive environment for breeding and calving. The waters are relatively free from predators and offer protection for the newborn calves. Additionally, the nutrient-rich waters provide ample food for the whales during their stay. These factors make Hawaii an ideal location for humpback whales to engage in mating and calving activities.

The humpback whales that we found in Hawaii come from the North Pacific Ocean in Alaska. They migrate to the warm waters of Hawaii during the winter months to mate and give birth before returning to their feeding grounds in the summer. Humpback whales typically stay in Maui for a few months after giving birth because the waters in Alaska are just too cold for the calves to survive. The warm water helps to regulate their body temperature, prevents hypothermia, and promotes healing and growth. Additionally, warm water can also help to soothe any discomfort or pain they may be experiencing, such as from injuries or infections. Overall, the warm water provides a nurturing and protective environment for the newborn calves to thrive and grow. They arrive in the waters of Hawaii around November and stay until around April, when they start their migration back to their feeding grounds in Alaska. These humpback whales travel from as far as Alaska to Hawaii, making it one of the longest migrations of any mammal.

Humpback whales are relatively safe from predators in Maui for several reasons. Firstly, humpback whales are large and strong animals, making them less susceptible to predation by other marine creatures. Additionally, humpback whales breed and calve in the shallow, warm waters off the coast of Maui, which are less likely to be inhabited by their natural predators, such as killer whales or large sharks. Moreover, the Hawaiian Islands are protected areas and are part of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, ensuring that the whales are safe from human disturbances and threats. These combined factors contribute to the safety of humpback whales in Maui.

On our whale tour with the Pac- Whale Eco- Adventures by the Pacific Whale Foundation, we saw many whales exhibiting interesting behaviors such as mating, a competing pod, breaching, and mothers with their calves. We also heard the sounds that the whales were making by use of an underwater microphone. If you are planning a whale tour in Maui the best months to go are between November and April. I highly recommend doing a cruise with an organization that has a naturalist onboard to describe their behavior and answer any questions you may have about the whales as well as one that follows the safety protocols to prevent injury to the whales.