VOLUME 8, NUMBER 1, WINTER 2020
Now’s The Time To Create Your Whale Story! Cindy Kauanui / Holo Holo Charters
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hales have enchanted humans ever since man first set out to sea, inspiring some of our favorite childhood bedtime stories such as, Jonah and the whale, the heartfelt “Humphrey the Lost Whale”, or perhaps history’s best-known, Moby Dick which was written by American writer, Herman Melville. These magnificent creatures have captured the imagination of the young and old for generations with their delightful and mysterious behavior. Whales are certainly a popular topic this time of year on Kaua‘i as humpback whales visit the islands. If you’re animal obsessed like me, then you will want to give yourself the gift of adventure by booking a boat tour with Holo Holo Charters during whale season. Whale activities can be spotted from the shore, but your best chance of an intimate encounter is to spend
some time at sea. The more time you spend on the water provides more opportunities to spot these beautiful creatures and witness their unique behavior. An adult humpback whale should be easy to spot as they measure anywhere from 39 to 62 feet in length, about the size of a school bus! Females are typically larger than males, and adults weigh between 28 to 40 tons. These mammals have dark backs, light bellies, pleats on their throats, and a small hump in front of their dorsal fin, leading to their common name of “humpback”. Other distinguishing characteristics of the humpback whale are the presence of knobs, called tubercles, on their heads, along with having two blow holes. They are a species of baleen whale, scientific name Megaptera novaeangliae and in Hawaiian they are known as kohola-. Humpback whales are best known for their beautiful songs and for
their habit of jumping out of the water or “breaching”. Their tail luke pattern is also unique to each individual humpback, like a human fingerprint. Humpbacks are generally known to travel alone or in small groups, called pods, of two to three whales. To communicate, whales touch fins with each other, vocalize, and slap fins on the water. After migrating to Kaua‘i’s warm waters during the winter, the male humpbacks will pursue their “true love” as whale courtship officially begins. Males compete for the right mate using a variety of behaviors, including sparring and, of course, singing. You could easily compare it to an Elvis Presley, “Blue Hawaii” moment, after all, Kaua‘i has a reputation for being the island of love! Humpback whales are curious and often approach vessels or small craft in the water. It is important to keep your distance though, as they
are protected by the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Holo Holo Charters is committed to viewing them respectfully, being the only boat company on Kaua‘i certified by NOAA as Dolphin SMART, ensuring safe and responsible viewing of all marine life. During this wonderful time of year Holo Holo Charters welcomes three local schools on board for a two-hour marine life excursion. This is an excellent way for Kaua‘i’s young explorers to gain a greater appreciation for these incredible creatures by witnessing them in their natural environment. “It’s a great opportunity to share the wonders of nature with our island keiki (children), while also educating them about protecting our marine life and natural resources. It’s thrilling to see their eyes light up during their first whale sighting!” says General Manager, Chandra Bertsch.
While on the water, be on the lookout for the unique behaviors of these magnificent creatures. A common sight is a “fluke up dive”, when the tail of the humpback appears out of the water in an upward arch and slowly rolls underwater as they dive. You might witness a rare “spyhop”, when the whale positions itself vertically, popping its head out of the water to have a look around. But, the most impressive activity is sure to bring a smile to your face! It is truly incredible to witness a full “breach”, when the humpback whale uses its tail to gain enough speed to launch itself out of the water than land on its back, producing a huge splash. Don’t miss the opportunity to witness these activities for yourself, it is truly an experience to remember, and the chance to create your own whale story! To book your whale experience with Holo Holo Charters, call 808-335-0815 or visit holoholocharters.com.