Maui Snorkeling Trips

We are often asked about porpoise and dolphins when we are out on the water during one of our marine safaris.  First, we do not have porpoise in Hawaiian waters.  Porpoise have very blunt rostrums, short, triangular dorsal fins and their teeth are spade shaped.  In the above photos, the triangular-shaped, dark dorsal fin is a spinner dolphin, whose rostrum very long.  They have a black eye-stripe, which flows to the pectoral fin.  Spinners grow 6 or 7 feet and weigh up to 170 pounds, according to research.  They usually rest during the day and feed in the evening hours.  Spinner dolphins can occur in groupings of hundreds, or even in the thousands, and those fortunate enough to come across them will be delighted by their leaping out of the water on their axis, sometimes jumping up to 10 or more times.   

In the other picture, the sickle shaped dorsal fin is that of the bottlenose dolphin.  Their rostrum is much shorter than the spinner dolphin’s.  They can reach a length of 10-14 feet, according to National Geographic, weigh over 1,000 pounds and have been observed leaping out of the water up to 16 feet high, landing on their backs.  They can live up to 50 years.  Bottlenose are usually seen in groups of 10 or less.  In Maui County, we have 137 bottlenose, according to Dr. Robin Baird, who tells us this population have cut themselves off from those of the Big Island and O’ahu.  Researchers tell us they can make up to 1,000 clicks per second, using echolocation, which both species of dolphins do.  Bottlenose are diurnal feeders and are frequently seen traveling with humpback whales.  Sometimes they are seen on top of a whale, apparently playing, but researchers are not sure.  In a past posting, we have a link to a video you can enjoy, if you haven’t seen it already.  Both species have conical shaped teeth.

So, there you have it!  The differences between the two species are distinct, but both are beautiful and really fun to find on any excursion.  As with any marine mammal, while in Hawaii it is illegal to approach to swim with, or interact for any reason.  Just remember to give them their due space and they will give you amazing memories. 

How many times have we heard the saying “stop and smell the flowers”?  Often times we get so caught up in our daily lives, routines, emails, textings, and phone calls that we forget to take the time to look around us.  For city dwellers, a simple walk in a park could help one reconnect.  Some may take a Saturday or Sunday trip to a local Home Depot garden department for yard improvements.  We all need to take a daily moment to look at the unusual cloud formations, a soaring bird or jumping fish, the butterfly that flutters close enough to touch, or stop to smell that beautiful blossom.  The Hawaiian Islands are a very special place for everyone to come and play, enjoy boating, snorkeling, and the beautiful blossoms of the sub tropics.  Just showing gratitude for being alive can bring amazing results.

Nature lives in all of us.  When watching children play I have noticed many times how they are connected with nature in their own special ways.  Without being told to they will smell flowers, point out working bees or butterflies, and stop playing to watch a bird fly overhead.

Working to pay bills forces most of us into an exhausting lifestyle that most of us wish we didn’t have.  But if we could vow each day to give nature just one minute we may be surprised how much happiness doing this can bring.  Maybe we would smile more often, greet a stranger without thinking about it, help someone without being asked, and yes, stop to smell a flower.

Photo Courtesy Katie Grove-Velasquez

Although it is the end of the season, there are still many humpback whales around the Hawaiian islands looking to mate.  This very large male escort traveling next to a lovely female appeared to be very agitated.  There were at least six other males behind him trying to take his place, something he was trying to prevent with every ounce of his strength.  Fighting males not only impress females, but whale watchers never get enough.  The above move is called a head slap.  Looking at the second picture you may notice some water spewing out of the slightly opened mouth.  He did this several times.  One reason, according to researchers, could be male dominance.  As the primary escort, he and the female could already have mated, so he is trying to prevent others from doing the same so he can sire the offspring.  Although the male and female connection is very short, researchers believe the primary escort may spend several hours with one female for selfish reasons.  They are promiscuous, we are told, so mating as often as situations allow makes perfect sense.  Time is running out for all humpbacks.  Mother, calf pairs are still easily found, but the singletons are becoming scarce.  Today, we were fortunate.  This small female (about 40 feet long) had six going after her escort, and as we watched for over one hour, two more males came speeding in.  What happened after we left them is up to the imagination.  It does seem that the competitions we find are more in earnest than ones we were watching last month.  Perhaps they are feeling the desperation of their situation.  We also watch competitions begin around mother, calf pairs.  Do the mothers mate while lactating?  Researchers tell us they do, in fact some females are known for that, being seen several years in a row with little ones, then not showing up in Hawaiian waters for two to three years apparently taking a ‘break’ from mating.

Whales we were watching weeks ago are long gone and back up in Alaskan, Canadian, and Aleutian waters feasting on the fish they favor.  Tomorrow we head out again, anxious to find any animals not minding being watched.  I can hardly wait!

What does ALOHA mean to you?  For most mainland people, aloha means goodbye, or hello.  For the people of Hawaii it could mean those words, but one may add love and caring.  Many years ago the word’s meaning was broken down as this:  A means light, enlightenment, or mana; LO on this earth; HA, through the living breath, or spirit of our Creator.  So, when one said ALOHA, they literally meant “I greet God in you and you greet God in me.  We are His family.”  This explanation came from Inez Ashdown, co-founder of the Maui Historical Society and good friend of Queen Liliuokalani, the last reining monarch of the Hawaiian people.

Over time, many of the older meanings have been forgotten, but not lost.  In highly valued archives the books, some written by missionaries, some by others and translated from the Hawaiian language, are intact and waiting to be read.  

Our humpback whales are thinning out now and most have headed northward to find the fish they love to dine on.  Once they are about halfway to Alaska they could snack on sardines and other oily fish.  When they reach their destination, which is southeast Alaska, they will begin to feast, some eating about one ton per day.  The Hawaiian channels feel very empty when the beloved whales are gone, but it will only be six or seven months time before they return.  A few mothers with calves remain in the nursery areas lovingly taking care of their little ones and making sure all their needs are met.  When ready the calves will be led by their mothers up to the feeding grounds, some being weaned on the way up and others weaned while learning to feed on krill, capelin, sandlance, herring, sardines and small salmon.  Depending on gender, females mature before males, the calves will return to the breeding grounds in five to 10 years time.  

So, it is with heavy hearts that we have to say ALOHA to our humpback whales, but in just a few short months we will be again saying ALOHA when they return.  We all share this planet, and in that respect, we are family.

PHOTO COURTESY DR. ROBIN BAIRD/CASCADIA RESEARCH

According to Dr. Robin Baird of Cascadia Research, both insular and offshore populations of Hawaiian false killer whales could be in trouble.  These cetaceans are a beautiful animal in the dolphin family, which can grow to 15 – 20 feet in length, the males being larger.  False killer whales are so named because of their skull similarities to the orca.  Their skin is black to dark gray in color and their teeth are conical and quite large.  Their heads are bulbous in shape and they have a small falcate dorsal fin located about midway down their back and their distinctive flippers have a bulge on the leading edge.  These animals are slow to reach maturity, not reproducing until their teens, and have calves every 6 to 7 years.  On a really good day on the water, boaters can see these very quick moving animals.  

These cetaceans are usually pelagic, but their feeding habits may bring them occasionally close to shore.  In Hawaiian waters these animals are occasionally caught by long liners, which can be fatal.  They eat fish and squid and are seen passing a catch around to each member of their group before sharing their meal. 

New evidence suggests that in the last 20 years the Hawaiian false killers population has dramatically dropped.  Dr. Baird calls them ‘upper tropic level predators’.   If there are highly toxic levels in the fish they eat, the toxins are passed directly to the calves through mother’s milk.  Some of the calves tested had toxicity levels that were off the charts.  What is an even more frightening thought is we humans eat the same fish they do, mahi-mahi, tuna, etc.

Is there an answer?  We need to all put our heads together and work quickly.  If their downward spiral continues, we will most certainly lose our Hawaiian animals.  If this is due to toxic food, then how long before this poisoning is realized in humans?  What can these types of poisons do to, not just adults, but our children?  The world is watching.  What is our next move, Hawaii?

For more information, or to read Dr. Baird’s research and see the beautiful photos, go to:http://www.cascadiaresearch.org/robin/falsekillerwhale.htm. 

It was early still when we pulled slowly into Molokini Crater, which is located just three miles of the south shore of Maui and about 9 miles from Maalaea Harbor.  Molokini is a tuff cone, or vent, for Haleakala, a sleeping volcano, which formed half of Maui.  This volcano is just over one million years old and 10,023 feet high.  Pulling into this crescent shape one can’t help noticing the layers in the rock and the beautiful crystal clear blue waters.  The welcoming committee usually is a school of black durgeon, or triggerfish.  They follow the vessels as they come in for mooring, hoping for tidbits of food, which used to be thrown into the water but now is illegal since the area was declared a reserve and the unethical fish feeding has now stopped.

This time of year snorkelers gleefully announce that the humpback whale males singing is still loud and clear, adding to their snorkeling adventure.  After a light breakfast of assorted pastries, fruit, coffee and juice, those who wish to venture into the 71 degree water, some in wetsuits and others feeling it isn’t necessary, jump in, cameras in hand and begin their tours.  Later, some are ready to warm up a bit, or grab a snack and climb back on board to find a nice deli style lunch waiting, along with an open bar.

While making the 45 minute cruise back toward the harbor, whale watching adds to this wonderful adventure.  It is spring break and many wonderful families are heading to Hawaii.  If it is a snorkeling adventure you are looking for, our 92 foot yacht is comfortable, spacious, and our friendly crew will see to all your needs.  Any time spent on the water is a good time and we are out here in the middle of the largest ocean on the planet.  Your SEAFARI awaits!

In the animal kingdom, the little ones, no matter what species, are always adorable to animal lovers.  Humpback calves are certainly no exception.  For any observer, the clumsy little ones touch hearts in many ways.  They really seem to struggle to get things right.  The various behaviors we see from tail slapping, pec fin slapping, head slaps and breaches, all need to be perfected, and often times, mother’s gentle (or not so) prodding keeps the little one trying.  To be close enough to hear the breaths of a calf while watching the work outs is truly amazing, but what always gives me goose-bumps is knowing that mother is near by, usually no more than 50 feet from her baby.  The close proximity is, of course, for protection, but all mothers want to make sure that nothing goes wrong.  If a viewer is very lucky, mother may leave the water herself to show how things are expected to be done.

We have so much to learn about these animals, still.  As the lucky researchers, permits on file, are allowed to be feet-to-inches away from these magnificent beings while they busily take notes and video footage, we stay by the sidelines, hoping to be given the latest findings as they come.  Even though research has been conducted since the 1960s, many times the frustrated researcher will say it feels we are no closer in understanding than we were then.  Could it be that, maybe, the whales want it that way?  We can only wonder, and certainly, keep loving them.  They are, after all, some of the largest animals on the planet, whose ancesters have been around for nearly 50 million years.  For most whale watchers, it doesn’t matter how much of them we understand.  It matters most that they are still here for us all to enjoy and love.

Many have them.  Not all want them.  Some are ignored.  Some are allowed to hang around.  This is the world of humpback male escorts attempting to find a female who will give them time, and if they’re really lucky, more than that.

Mothers and calves seem to spend most of their time in silence, say researchers.  The reason is mothers do not want to attract unwanted visitors in the form of a male, or two, or more.  While spending time with a lovely female and her new calf it took about 15 minutes before the male made his presence known.  If it hadn’t been in such a spectacular way, I would have felt a little annoyed with someone who dared get in front of my lens, but this handsome male was a welcome interruption from taking pictures of the sweet cuddles, rubbing, and playful antics of the new calf.

Humpback season is winding down here in Hawaii, but there still are plenty of animals around.  To our surprise, today we saw yet another new calf, which means there will still be a few animals around in four weeks, perhaps more.  Weather reports say temperatures will be in the low 80s with light breezes at 10-15 mph.  Coming out with us?  Bring sunscreen.  You will need it.

It was so unexpected.  As we left the harbor today, 26 unsure passengers in rain gear, borrowed ponchos, and even large trash bags with cut out holes for heads and arms huddled out on the bow looking around in earnest for any signs of whales.  We were barely out of the harbor when two bottlenose dolphin greeted us and stayed around for about 10 minutes.  Heading out about five miles we came across a trio of males competing for the above animal pictures, a friendly female.

There were times when we, although delighted by her visits and obvious curiosity, began to wonder if she were really aware of these 3 big males pushing and shoving as they traveled around us.  She approached us three times for a close up look.  The rest of the time she was about 50 feet down next to our port side.  Sometimes she was belly up and sometimes head down, and always she was nearly motionless.  Two of our passengers were honeymooners and they said this trip more than exceeded their expectations of maybe seeing a couple of blows and maybe a tail or two.  Another passenger was fearful when the female approached, wondering if we could get hurt.  We explained that these ‘gentle giants’ were often curious of people, and have never hurt a human intentionally.  We also shared a wonderful story of an underwater photographer who was gently lifted to the surface by a large male humpback, who had left others to do so and returned to the group of males afterward.

In spite of the on and off again rain, we feel this could possibly be the whale watch of the season!  I never tire of these animals.  Having my heart taken over 20 years ago, I know I will love these animals as long as I live and can hardly wait until we go back out on the water tomorrow.  After today’s marine safari, 26 passengers all heartily agree.

While momma watched closely baby humpback whale worked out on the surface about 20 feet away, easily within reach of mom’s long pectoral fins.  Researchers tell us that when babies are new, they are not allowed any further away than the length of mom’s pectoral fins, which are 13 – 20 feet in length, depending on the age of the mom.  As the little ones grow (about 1 foot every 4 weeks), gaining about 80 – 100 pounds per day, they are allowed the privilege of freedom, sometimes seen venturing about 50 yards away from mom.  That may sound like quite a distance, but if there were any trouble, mom would be there in seconds with one or two beats of her massive tail.

This mother’s behavior was different today.  It is very unusual to see just the tip of the rostrum sticking out while remaining vigilant.  If we hadn’t been there before she surfaced, we may have called this behavior a ’spy hop’, but it wasn’t.  The whole time baby worked out tail slapping and peduncle throwing, she kept her position and watched.  Water clarity was about 100 feet, so there was no doubt she could see everything her little one was doing.

She tolerated us as well.  We shut down at 100 yards, but she continued her approach stopping when she was about 50 yards away.  From that position we were allowed to watch the calf as he/she struggled to learn the tail behaviors that mom had shown only moments before.  It was her instructions that we noticed over 1 mile away and had us heading to them in the first place.

Humpback whales always thrill, educate, and amaze us.  We’re going out again tomorrow and would love to have you on board to watch the whales, which belong to us all.