This past Saturday, the Sanctuary Ocean Count and Great Whale Count were again conducted simultaneously from the shores of Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Hawaii Island and Maui to observe koholā, visiting humpback whales.

A total of 498 volunteers gathered data during the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Ocean Count and from Maui during the Great Whale Count by Pacific Whale Foundation.

Volunteers manned 44 sites across the main islands counting 262 whales during the 9:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. time period, the most of any time period throughout the day.

The total numbers of whales counted on each island were 321 on Kauai, 408 on Oahu, 153 on Molokai, and 263 on Hawaii Island. On Maui, the total was 802, making for a grand total of 1,947 throughout the state.

The number could represent duplicate sightings of the same whale by different observers at different time periods or at different locations throughout the day, according to the release.

Weather conditions on Saturday were conducive for observing whales with light winds and calm seas. Volunteers also spotted honu (green sea turtles), naiʻa (spinner dolphins), ʻīlioholoikauaua (Hawaiian monk seal), mālolo (Hawaiian flying fish) and multiple bird species such as ʻiwa (great frigatebird), mōlī (Laysan albatross), ʻaukuʻu (black-crowned night heron), ʻa (brown booby), manu-o-Kū (white tern), and others. 

Supported by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Ocean Count raises public awareness of humpback whales, the organization and shore-based whale watching opportunities. Volunteers count whales on Kauai, Oahu, Molokai and Hawaii Island.

Pacific Whale Foundation’s Great Whale Count is held on Maui and Lanai as part of a long-term survey of humpback whales in Hawaii. It’s one of the world’s longest-running community science projects.

The final whale count of the season will be conducted on March 29. Visit the respective organization’s website to sign up to volunteer.