Last week, it was announced that the Department of Natural Land and Resources are going to put trash-collecting Seabins into the notoriously polluted Ala Wai Boat Harbor in Waikiki. Initially, this will be a six-month trial to see if the technology works and how...
The world’s coral reefs are dying. In Hawaii, where many people rely on the ocean for their livelihoods (yes, we’re raising our hands), this is a scary proposition. A study conducted by researchers at the University of Hawaii pegs the annual gross revenue...
In a good bit of conservation news, Canada has banned the captivity and breeding of whales, dolphins and porpoises across the country. The Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act, AKA the “Free Willy” bill, introduced in 2015, was signed into law...
Easter has come and gone, but a flower once thought to be extinct has risen. A member of the hibiscus family, the Hibiscadelphus woodii, had not been spotted since 2009, and in 2016 it was officially added to the extinct species list. However, in February researchers...
Finally some good news for Maui’s coral reefs. After years of declining health, it appears the state may be able to enhance the resiliency of our coral reefs. A recent survey of over 51 sites in Maui’s south (Kihei side) and west (Lahaina side) shores showed the...
In an upcoming article scheduled for release in the journal “Royal Society Open Science” titled “Fluctuating reproductive rates in Hawaii’s humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae, reflect recent climate anomalies in the North Pacific”, Rachel Cartwright of California...
Keeping tabs on Hawaii’s humpback whale population is important, particularly so in light of recent reports that they may be on the decline. One group of local researchers responded to this concern by performing aerial surveys of Maui Nui (greater Maui region)...
Over the weekend, a humpback whale was spotted entangled in lines used to catch crab and lobster. The lines wrapped around both the whale’s mouth and tail, while cutting into its body. Trained rescue crews were able to reach the whale, but they were not able to...
Maui is experiencing a winter for the ages. To quote “Game of Thrones”, winter is here. OK, our high temperatures are still near 80 degrees by the ocean, but the nights are lower 60’s or even upper 50’s. That’s downright frigid for Maui!...
Whale Tales 2019 is coming to Maui from February 15 – 18. Hosted by Whale Trust at the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, Whale Tales is a fully immersive educational (and fun!) weekend featuring marine biologists, whale researchers and award-winning photographers from...
If you need another reason, besides staying dry, better sight lines and comfort, to book a whale watch trip on a larger boat like those sailed by Hawaii Ocean Project versus a smaller, rubber boat, you can add safety to the list. A British couple kayaking in Monterey...
Just a quick heads up… if you’re planning on swimming near the shore of Maui and the water appears brown, it’s advised you stay out of the water. Basically, a brown water advisory means the water is contaminated. If the water near your beach appears...
The weather on Maui has been rough this winter. Between the wind and the rain, it feels like the Pacific Northwest. At least the temperatures remain warm and the Polar Vortex didn’t reach Hawaii! Even though the temps are still nice, windy conditions can create...
We’ve had some crazy weather here on Maui in 2019. Granted, our 75 degrees with rain and wind is, well, paradise compared to what the folks in the midwest and northeast are going through right now, but this much wind and rain is unusual. What’s more...
After spending the summer consuming roughly 5,000 pounds of food in Alaska, the humpback whales are completing their arduous 3,000 mile journey to Hawaii. How lucky we are! Though we witness these 30-ton beauties every winter, the sight of a humpback whale breaching...
Over the past three years, it appears the number of humpback whales coming to Hawaii for the winter are declining. This finding is based not only on hard counts of the whales, but also on the diminishing number of males that have been recorded singing. Finally, and...
On July 1, 2018, Hawaii became the first state in the country to ban certain chemicals found in a majority of the sunscreens available to the public. Though the ban does not go into effect until January 1, 2021, here is a brief explanation for why the ban is being put...
Hurricane season in Hawaii usually falls between the months of June and November. However, as exemplified by Hurricane Lane, hurricanes, or tropical cyclones, rarely strike the Hawaiian islands directly. In fact, in nearly 150 years, only three hurricanes have reached...
A rare dolphin-whale hybrid is swimming in the waters of Hawaii. Marine researcher Dr. Robin Baird**, of the non-profit Cascadia Research Collective, told The Garden Isle this hybrid is a “most unusual finding”. The hybrid has been given the scientific...
Some people come to Maui for the beach, others for the hiking, most for relaxation. But if you’re coming to Maui and want to try your hand at fishing, there are some things you need to know. In this article, we’ll talk about regulations, where you might...
Hawaii is often called “the extinction capital of the world.” Obviously, this is not a good thing. Species are dying out at an alarming rate. Sadly, this is not a new phenomenon. Back in the 7th century, when the Polynesians first arrived, they brought...
When you live on or visit Maui, the first to thing to remember is that Maui is a small island in the middle of a large ocean. When you look around, one question that should come to mind is “where does all the garbage go?” The answer is landfills. At some...
Depending on where you are on Maui, the weather conditions can be very different. It can be snowing in one area (OK, the summit of Haleakala, specifically) and 85 and sunny on the beach. That’s an extreme example. Less extreme is it can be pouring down rain near...
It seems whenever people are near marine animals, they tend to lose composure. I mean, we get it. At Hawaii Ocean Project, we run all sorts of ocean charters that bring visitors within stunning proximity. We see firsthand how visitors react, most of them being their...
Seeing whales on a whale watch tour is awesome. No doubt about that. But do you know what else is awesome? Seeing dolphins! But is it legal to swim with them? New Spinner Dolphin Rules for The Hawaiian Islands! On October 28th, a new rule goes into effect where...
While you may be getting a unique glimpse at life beneath the ocean’s surface while on a Hawaii Ocean Project Snorkel tour, we wanted to give you an inside look beyond the beauty and into what is happening to our beloved reefs along with some ways you can help!...
With the lush landscapes, warm weather, and everything in-between, there are a number of reasons why one would want to spend their time on Maui during their Hawaiian vacation. Here at Hawaii Ocean Project, we have a great appreciation for the ocean waters that...
Too small to be seen is no longer synonymous with too small to be studied. The scientists and engineers of Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) have partnered with researchers from the University of Hawaii to develop a new sampling system for long-range...
Along with the unique lifestyle and the majestic landscapes, what typically brings people to the Hawaii island chain is the sparkling Pacific Ocean that surrounds it. We are sure that you have dreamed about lounging on a white-sand beach with clear waves gently...
Sunscreens have been making headlines lately due to their contribution to coral bleaching and ocean acidification. Coral bleaching is the phenomenon whereby coral loses its color and rejects symbiotic organisms, essentially killing the coral. While rising sea...
The Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle (honu) is one of the most the most beloved native species that you can find here on Maui. They show up in a seemingly endless array of artwork, jewelry, gifts, film, photographs, and the list goes on. Why are they so popular? Well, sea...
By now, you’ve probably heard there’s a solar eclipse occurring on August 21. But you may be wondering if you can see it from Maui. We’ll attempt to answer some of your basic questions… I’ll be on Maui on August 21. Will I be able to see...
One of the first things to expect on your Maui vacation is the variable weather conditions. Although the island is just 727 square miles, it features plenty of microclimates. The reason why is because within that relatively small range of miles, you can go from sea...
If you’ve ever gone on a Maui whale watch before, you may have learned that Hawaii’s migratory humpback whales tend to prefer the waters off the southern and western coasts of Maui. Whale sightings are highest in this area, which is one of the reasons why...
Discussions about the weather can get a whole lot more riveting when it comes to your vacation. After all, these plans often include spending quite a bit of money, taking time off work, and sometimes even brainstorming for months on activities, sights and...
If you love the ocean as much as we do, you may be interested in the following simple strategies to reduce your impact. Some of these strategies apply to your time spent around the ocean, and others apply wherever you are. So whether you’re on vacation and...
Change happens one person at a time, and sometimes one company at a time. Saltwater Brewery in Delray Beach, Florida, has come up with a brilliant packaging material to keep our ocean clean and free from damaging and sometimes deadly plastic. Six-pack rings made from...
An entangled humpback was first spotted on February 13th near the Big Island trailing hundreds of feet of heavy gauge line – some that was partially embedded in its tail. Due to inclement weather and other extenuating circumstances, no immediate response could be...
