We cannot afford to lose whales. Their plight is our plight.

We should listen to whales. And not the beautiful, melodious and mysterious language they sing to each other. Rather, it is their silence we should start to notice. New research shows that among the vast array of challenges whales face from pollution, underwater noise, entanglements, habitat destruction, etc., climate change may be the one thing they simply can’t survive. If fossil fuel consumption (the primary driver of climate change) continues at pace, up to 65% of their breeding ground will be at or above an acceptable temperature. In the 20th century, our need for their oil nearly wiped out humpbacks to the point where only a few thousand survived, while so many other whale species went extinct. In the 21st century, it seems oil once again may be their undoing.

Where will whales go on a warming planet? How will they even get there as water temperature is their cue to add blubber, feed and migrate? Everything a whale knows on how to survive is based on cues from the water surrounding their enormous bodies. Like a web of intricately connected parts, it only takes a few strands breaking for it to all fall apart. Humpbacks’ main food supply, tiny ocean-going plankton called krill, are also seriously threatened by warming seas as the ocean ecosystem is profoundly affected by changing temperatures. As the climate warms, countless species like this face an uncertain future in the rapidly changing conditions. Species that we humans indirectly rely on to survive.

Like so many species, krill and humpbacks have everything to do with the long-term success of humans. The ocean regulates all life on Earth by providing the base of the main global food chains, stabilizing and dispersing temperature throughout the planet, producing over half the oxygen to breathe, and is the foundation of the world’s economy through trade, fisheries, tourism and pharmaceuticals. We cannot afford to lose whales. Their plight is our plight. Their troubles are a harbinger for troubles to come for our own species. During whale season, enjoy the site and spectacle of these amazing ocean-dwellers. Hopefully we can reflect and appreciate more than just the beautiful sights and sounds these creatures provide so that we can mālama kai for future generations to come.

Where to see whales on Maui

Whale season in Maui is from November to May, peak season being around mid-January through March. From land, whales can generally start to be seen regularly in December. It is estimated that between 12,000 to 18,000 Humpbacks will migrate to Hawaiian waters. Maui is one of the best spots to see whales as The Maui Nui Basin—a federally protected sanctuary for humpback whales created in the 1990s located in the waters between Maui, Lāna’i and Kaho‘olawe—attracts up to half the population of humpbacks visiting the islands. Most boat tours will leave from Lahaina, Mā‘alaea or Wailea. From land, Lahaina Harbor, Papawai Point, Wailea Beach, Kā‘anapali Beach and Ho‘okipa Beach Park are great viewing locations to see out over the basin and spot whales. Always be careful in and around the ocean when viewing from shore, as the water around the islands can be unforgiving and when taking an ocean tour, make sure to go with a reputable company. Spot some humpbacks, have a blast and we’ll see you out there!