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. 

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.