WHALE TRUST ANNUAL REPORT Celebrating 25 years of research, education, and discovery
TABLE OF CONTENTS 03
A Letter from Our Executive Director
04
Through the Years
06
25 Discoveries Over 25 Years
10
20 Years of Whale Tales
11
Research Highlights
14 15 17
Education & Outreach Photo Expeditions Financials
18
Whale Tales Save the Date
19
Our Community
21
Whale Trust Team
23
Keep in Touch
A Letter from Our Executive Director Aloha Friends, Twenty-five years is a remarkable milestone, and when I look back on Whale Trust’s journey, what stands out most are the people who have been part of it. Our board, team, researchers, volunteers, donors, partners, and friends have all shaped Whale Trust into what it is today. When we founded Whale Trust in 2001, our work was grounded in a belief that careful, longterm observation, combined with photography, could reveal something deeper about the social lives of humpback whales. That approach has taken us from questions about song and social behavior to discoveries about female reproductive strategies, long-distance movement patterns, population mixing, and, more recently, the physiology behind reproduction and behavior. Some of what we have learned has challenged long-held assumptions. Other findings have opened entirely new questions. And many have only been possible because we have been able to return year after year, build long-term datasets, compare behavior across seasons and regions, and work alongside an extraordinary community of scientists, photographers, volunteers, students, supporters, and friends. This anniversary is also a reminder that Whale Trust has always been about more than research. Sharing what we learn, whether through Whale Tales, our keiki programs, photography, film, mentorship, or community partnerships, has always been an important part of who we are. Discovery matters most when it is shared, and when it helps others feel more connected to whales and the ocean. I’m especially proud that, 25 years later, the work continues to grow in new directions and through a new generation of researchers and educators. The questions are changing, the tools are evolving, and our understanding of humpback whales continues to deepen. None of this would have been possible without the people who believed in this work from the beginning and those who continue to invest in it today. Your support has given us the time, continuity, and freedom to ask difficult questions and follow where the research leads. Thank you for being part of these first 25 years and for helping us carry this work forward into the next 25. With much aloha and appreciation,
Meagan Jones Gray Founder & Executive Director
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built around a simple idea: the more ver time, the more we can understand ndividual-based research allows us to ies can miss — revealing how whales miles, form social relationships and , and mix across the North Pacific in ver 25 years, those observations have ections, challenging assumptions, and about the lives of whales.
25 Discoveries Over 25 Years Insights from Whale Trust’s long-term research on humpback whales in Hawaiʻi and across the North Pacific.
Over 25 years of research, Whale Trust has helped reveal a more complex picture of humpback whale life, including how whales communicate, choose companions, navigate the breeding season, move and interact across the North Pacific, and how their physiology shapes reproduction and behavior.
5.
Interactions between singers and joining males are usually brief and nonaggressive.
When another male joins a singer, encounters are typically short and do not involve the intense chasing or physical competition often seen among males on the breeding grounds.
6. 1. Humpback whale singers are males. Before Whale Trust was established, research by two of our founders helped establish that humpback whale singers are males. This discovery laid the foundation for decades of research into the role of song in humpback whale reproduction and social behavior.
2. Male singers attract other males — not females.
Across our observations, whales that approach and join singing males have been male. We have not documented a female joining a singer, adding to evidence that song serves a more complex role than simply attracting females.
3. Humpback whale song does not appear to be a display of male dominance. Early aerial photogrammetry found no clear size differences among singing males. If song were primarily a dominance display, we might expect larger and smaller males to play different roles, but that pattern was not observed.
4. Male roles on the breeding grounds are flexible. When a male joins a singer, the singer may stop singing and move on to join another singing male, while the original joiner may later become a singer himself. Males can also shift into other roles, including escorting females, showing that these are temporary social roles rather than fixed types of males.
Song may help males assess their relationship to one another.
Rather than functioning primarily to attract females, humpback whale songs may act as a signal between males. Because the song is constantly changing across a population, how closely two males match may provide information about how closely they are connected within the same social and migratory network. We continue to test this hypothesis.
7. Song can help set the stage for male-male cooperation. By helping males assess one another acoustically, song may support coordinated behavior on the breeding grounds, such as joining other males in groups around females.
8. Singers recognize and respond to familiar song patterns. Playback studies showed that singing males repeatedly interacted with recordings of the same or similar song, but did not respond in the same way to distinctly different songs, including songs from other populations. This supports the idea that males use songs to assess acoustic similarity with other whales.
9. Songs reveal that whales mix across the North Pacific. Through collaboration with researchers in Mexico, Japan, and the Philippines, we learned that humpback whale songs across the North Pacific share many of the same elements, while at times showing temporary regional differences. Likely through the mixing of whales across the ocean basin, these songs converge, maintaining a strikingly similar song across the entire North Pacific over decades.
10. Humpback whale social groups are more varied than they appear. Two whales swimming together on the breeding grounds may be two adult males, an adult male and an adult female, or an adult male and a younger female. Escorts and mothers with calves can also vary in size and likely age. These differences may help explain why whales in seemingly similar social situations behave differently.
11. A female’s reproductive status helps shape her interactions with males. Whether a female has a calf is an important indicator of both how she interacts with males and how males interact with her on the breeding grounds. These findings highlight the importance of considering female reproductive status when interpreting male– female social behavior.
12. Mothers with calves are more likely to avoid males than females without calves. During field observations, nearly 30% of mothers exhibited avoidance behaviors toward their male escort, compared to just 2% of females without calves. Playback experiments revealed a similar pattern: nearly three-quarters of mother-calf groups moved away from male social sounds, while nearly three-quarters of females without calves showed no response.
13.
The presence of a male escort is associated with more travel and less rest for mothers and calves.
Escorted mother-calf groups spent significantly more time traveling and less time resting than either unescorted mothercalf groups or male-female pairs.
14.
Mothers with calves are more likely to be chased by lone males.
Nearly a quarter of escorted mother-calf groups involved herding, chasing, or blocking by a lone male, and chasing significantly increased travel while reducing resting.
15. Size and age influence malefemale interactions. Males that chased mothers tended to be smaller, while mothers that were chased were significantly smaller than those that were not. Notably, none of the known mature males or females in the study were involved in these interactions. .
16.
Females can use other whales to redirect unwanted male attention.
In some observations, mothers being pursued by a male moved directly toward other whales, prompting them to join the group and shifting the social interaction. This suggests females may sometimes use other whales to help ditch an unwanted escort.
17.
Resting pairs are part of the breeding story.
“Breath-holding” pairs are typically male-female pairs and may represent the beginning or end of a surface-active or competitive group, where multiple males are believed to compete for the right to mate with the female.
18. Singing males are rarely found with females. Across more than 500 female groups observed, singing males accompanied only a small percentage of females. When singing did occur around females, it was more common with mothers and calves than with females without calves.
19. Humpback whales communicate using sounds we cannot hear. Whale Trust research suggests humpbacks may produce very low-frequency sounds during the breeding season, expanding our understanding of their acoustic world.
20. Female humpbacks actively position their genital-mammary region over bubbles from males. Whale Trust researchers have observed this behavior on multiple occasions. In one especially detailed underwater encounter, an adult female repeatedly rolled, arched, lifted her tail, and positioned her genital-mammary region over bubble streams produced by males. While its exact function remains unknown, the behavior could be related to courtship, reproductive signaling, or physiological stimulation associated with mating or birth.
21. Humpback whales are using far more of the tropical Pacific than we once knew. In partnership with the Jupiter Foundation and their Wave Glider program, our surveys repeatedly detected singing humpback whales thousands of kilometers offshore between Hawaiʻi and Mexico during the breeding season. The discovery reveals a recurring presence in deep tropical waters far beyond the traditional nearshore breeding grounds.
22. Some humpback whales visit two breeding grounds thousands of miles apart in the same winter. Working collectively with researchers across the eastern North Pacific, two humpback whales were documented traveling between Hawaiʻi and Mexico within a single breeding season. One whale covered 4,545 km in 53 days, while the other traveled 5,944 km in just 49 days. These records provide direct evidence that whales using these distant winter breeding grounds can mix within the same season, challenging the idea that Hawaiʻi and Mexico are seasonally isolated.
23. Songs connect whales across the North Pacific in ways we are still discovering. An ongoing study led by Whale Trust, in collaboration with researchers at 19 locations in nine countries, is revealing connections among humpback whales across the North Pacific and how their songs evolve over time while remaining remarkably similar across thousands of miles.
24.
Male social behavior is associated with stressrelated hormones, but not reproductive hormones. Male humpback whales in Hawaiʻi had higher male sex hormone levels early in the breeding season, with levels declining as the season progressed. Testosterone levels, for example, were similar across males in different social roles on the breeding grounds. Stress-related hormones, however, were higher in males accompanying females or competing with other males, potentially reflecting the physiological demands of these interactions.
25. Mothers and females without calves show different reproductive hormone patterns. In Hawaiʻi, mothers had higher estrone levels, a form of estrogen, while females without calves showed a wide range of progesterone levels, potentially reflecting differences in reproductive status. Estradiol, a hormone linked to ovulation, peaked earlier in females without calves and later in mothers, suggesting mothers may resume reproductive cycling later after birth. Together, these findings show that calf presence alone does not fully reflect females’ changing reproductive states.
Twenty-five years of research have revealed a deeper understanding of the social and geographic connections among humpback whales. These discoveries reveal whales that listen, recognize, respond, cooperate, avoid one another, and travel across vast distances, connecting populations throughout the North Pacific.
To learn more about our discoveries, scan the QR code:
Twenty Years of Whale Tales Two decades of collaboration and uplifting voices of artists, conservationists, and marine biologists. Twenty Years, One Community
Voices of the Ocean Elders
In February 2026, we gathered together to celebrate 20 years of our beloved Whale Tales. This year’s event was bigger than ever, with 3 days of presentations, 7 special events, 14 benefit whale watches, 12 local artists, 14 local conservation organizations, and over 1,500 registrants.
This year we had the honor of welcoming an extraordinary group of Ocean Elders for a very special Whale Tales event Listening to the Ocean: Conversations with Ocean Elders. Jean-Michel Cousteau, Dr. Sylvia Earle, Nainoa Thompson, Lord Fakafānua, Lavinia Currier, and Sven Lindblad joined us for an evening of conservation and reflection led by Kainoa Horcajo, sharing perspectives shaped by decades of experience, leadership, and connection to the ocean.
As we marked this milestone, we were reminded that Whale Tales has always been built by community. To every supporter, sponsor, presenter, partner, artist, conservation organization, volunteer, and attendee who has been part of it over the years, thank you. Whether you joined us in-person, tuned in from afar, contributed resources, or shared your expertise, you have helped shape Whale Tales into a community grounded in science, storytelling, and stewardship.
Whale Tales Keiki Program This year, we welcomed 162 students from West Maui Elementary schools to join us for a fun-filled day of learning about the oceans. These students learned directly from some of our incredible Whale Tales presenters through hands-on STEAM workshops. A huge mahalo goes out to the Bendon Family Foundation for making this year’s Keiki Program possible.
2026 Research Highlights From Listening to Learning: The Next Chapter of the North Pacific Song Project The North Pacific Song Project reached a major milestone in 2026, completing its final year of data collection. With recordings gathered over three years from more than 19 locations across nine countries, the project has built a uniquely broad dataset for exploring how humpback whale songs change, spread, and reveal connections among whales across the North Pacific. The focus now shifts to analyzing these recordings to better understand the movement and evolution of whale song across the ocean.
Jim Darling color-codes song themes to track how humpback whale songs change and spread across the North Pacific. In collaboration with Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), we’re exploring machine learning to compare songs at a larger scale.
S.E. Alaska
Fall Locations
Winter Locations
Hokkaido
Monterey Bay
Japan
Mikura Island Okinawa
British Columbia
Glacier Bay Northern BC Vancouver Island
Ogasawara
Babyuan Islands
Philippines
California
Los Cabos Maui
Hawai’i Island
Hawai’i
Archipiélago de Revillagigedo
Nayarit Bahia Banderas
Guatemala El Salvador Nicaragua
Costa Rica
The Next Generation of Whale Science What Hormones are Revealing About Humpback Whale Reproduction and Behavior This September, Whale Trust research associate Haley Robb Spears successfully defended her PhD dissertation at UC Santa Cruz, sharing her research on hormone variation in humpback whales and officially becoming Dr. Robb Spears. Haley’s journey with Whale Trust began years ago, when she first participated in the Whale Tales Keiki Program as a 5th grader. She stayed connected through her years at Lahainaluna High School, returned as a Whale Trust intern while in college, and joined Whale Trust as a researcher after graduating. Whale Trust also supported Haley’s PhD research as she continued studying humpback whale physiology and behavior. Haley’s work with Whale Trust continues this fall as she takes on the role of Associate Director of Programs.
Haley’s dissertation made several important contributions, including: Mothers and females without calves show different reproductive hormone patterns.
Male social behavior is associated with stress-related hormones, but not reproductive hormones.
In Hawaiʻi, mothers had higher estrone levels, a form of estrogen, while females without calves showed a wide range of progesterone levels, potentially reflecting differences in reproductive status. Estradiol, a hormone linked to ovulation, peaked earlier in females without calves and later in mothers, suggesting mothers may resume reproductive cycling later after birth. Together, these findings show that calf presence alone does not fully reflect females’ changing reproductive states.
Male humpback whales in Hawaiʻi had higher male sex hormone levels early in the breeding season, with levels declining as the season progressed. Testosterone levels, for example, were similar across males in different social roles on the breeding grounds. Stress-related hormones, however, were higher in males accompanying females or competing with other males, potentially reflecting the physiological demands of these interactions.
Rare Field Observations, Valuable Insights Near the end of whale season, Whale Trust researchers collected two rare milk samples from a nursing humpback whale. For Meagan, this was a first in 35 years of fieldwork and an incredible opportunity for the entire team to learn more about maternal health, hormones, contaminants, and milk chemistry. One sample was collected by our team, while the second came through a local whale-watch partner, highlighting the important role of community partnerships in making rare, time-sensitive research opportunities possible.
We identified the mother through the Happywhale database and collected a biopsy sample as part of our ongoing hormone research, providing valuable context. Samples were sent to the Smithsonian Milk Repository and shared with other
researchers for analysis. Opportunities like these are rare, and your support helps ensure we are ready to make the most of them.
ⓒ Ed Lyman/Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary According to Happywhale, this female was first sighted in 2003 and has since been documented 12 times around Maui Nui and Hawai‘i Island. Despite this long history, her feeding grounds remain unknown. Despite this long history, her feeding grounds remain unknown. Her sighting history also revealed that she had at least one previous calf in 2013. Interestingly, all of her recorded sightings in Hawaiʻi have occurred in March or April, making her a consistently late-season whale
Education & Outreach Pre-Season Naturalist Training Last November, Whale Trust offered a seasonal naturalist training for local ocean businesses. What began as outreach to just a few companies quickly grew, and we ultimately provided training for 14 local ocean-related businesses. The two-evening program covered humpback whale biology and behavior, with a deeper dive into whale song and reproduction. As part of the training, one lead naturalist from each company was invited to join the Whale Trust research team for a day in the field. The response was so positive that we brought the program back in January 2026 and offered it again this fall!.
This year brought new energy and connections to Whale Trust’s education and outreach programs. From welcoming new volunteers to expanding community outreach and building relationships with local businesses and partners, these collaborations are helping us share our work with more people across our community.
Keiki Activity Booklets Community Engagement Whale Trust expanded its community engagement this year, connecting with more people through public events, including Earth Day and World Ocean Day celebrations. We also launched a new year-round volunteer program, creating more opportunities for community members to contribute their skills and time to support Whale Trust’s programs.
Our education team brought whale science to life for young learners this year with Barnacle Buddies, an original activity booklet created for our Whale Tales Keiki Program. Through stories, games, crafts, and hands-on activities, keiki can explore what it’s like to be a whale researcher and discover the skills scientists use to study humpback whales.
Photo Expeditions: Adventure with Impact Photo Expeditions provide critical support that helps fund Whale Trust’s research and keep our field programs moving forward.
Alaska 2025 In July 2025, a wonderful group joined Whale Trust in Alaska for a Photo Expedition led by Ralph Pace, Flip Nicklin, and Mark Kelley. The trip included humpback bubble-net feeding and a wide range of Alaskan wildlife.
Monterey 2026 In spring 2026, we expanded to Monterey, California, where Ralph Lee Hopkins and Ralph Pace led several days on the water photographing orcas hunting and breaching, along with other marine wildlife.
Join us in 2027: Photo Expeditions Maui: February 15 - 18, 2027 An unforgettable whale watching experience with National Geographic Photographers while supporting Whale Trust programs.
Alaska: August 12-16, 2027 Capture an unforgettable Alaskan wildlife excursion alongside acclaimed photographers from National Geographic and Whale Trust!
2025–2026 Financial Summary Your support advances our understanding of humpback whales, informs management decisions, and helps us share our discoveries with the world.
Where Our Support Comes From Fundraising & Earned Revenue 6.6%
76.8%
Foundation Grants 22.7%
of every dollar spent directly supported Whale Trust’s research and education programs in 2026
Individual & Other Contributions 67.2%
How our Resources Were Used Fundraising 6.6% Management & General Operations 16.5%
Total Revenue
Total Expenses
$871,751
$924,312
Change in Net Assets -$52,561
Mahalo! Research & Education Programs 76.8%
Your generosity makes our research, education, and community programs possible.
Financial figures are unaudited and based on Whale Trust’s FY 2025–2026 financial records. Final figures may change following completion of the annual audit. For our most recent audited financial statements and additional financial information, visit whaletrust.org/financials
February 11-15, 2027 At the Ritz Carlton Maui, Kapalua or streaming online Register Now
whaletales.org/registration
Celebrating Our Whale Tales Community The Heart of Whale Tales: Colleen and Jeff Simpson Colleen first came to Whale Tales as an attendee and began volunteering after retirement, when she was able to spend more time on Maui each year. Four years later, she brought her son Jeff into the fold.
Since then, Colleen and Jeff have become two of our most dedicated Whale Tales volunteers, generously giving their time, stepping in wherever needed, and helping create the welcoming sense of community that makes the event so special. For both, the friendships are a big part of what keeps them coming back. As Colleen shared, one of her favorite parts is “meeting people who love whales, too” and reconnecting each year with volunteers and staff who have become friends. We are incredibly grateful to Colleen and Jeff, and to all of the volunteers who give their time and energy to Whale Trust.
A Special Mahalo to Jan and Grady Booch Jan and Grady Booch have been longtime supporters and sponsors of Whale Tales, and this year they truly stepped up when we needed them most. When bad weather forced us to cancel our volunteer thank-you whale watch at the last minute, Jan and Grady immediately offered the clubhouse in their neighborhood, helped us pull together a new plan, and even pitched in to cook dinner for our volunteers. Their generosity turned a disappointing morning into a wonderful celebration, and we are so grateful for the many ways they continue to support Whale Tales and our ʻohana.
Investing in Discovery and Connection Multi-year support plays a critical role in helping Whale Trust plan ahead, sustain research over time, and build programs with lasting impact. These commitments allow us to invest in long-term research, bring leading voices in ocean conservation to Maui, and create meaningful opportunities for people to connect with the science and stories of whales. These are just a few of the many people and organizations whose generosity, vision, and partnership have shaped Whale Trust over the past 25 years. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has invested in our research, programs, and future.
Whale Trust ‘Ohana
Whale Trust Founders
Office and Operations Team
From left to right: Flip Nicklin, Dr. Meagan Jones Gray, and Dr. Jim Darling at Whale Tales 2026.
From left to right: Caitlin Carroll, Communications & Community Engagement Manager; Dr. Meagan Jones Gray, Executive Director & Co-Founder; and Jennifer Rowley, Administration & HR Manager.
Research & Photography Teams From left to right: Ralph Pace, Research Photographer; Dr. Haley Robb Spears, Associate Director of Programs; Dr. Jim Darling, CoFounder & Researcher; and Dr. Meagan Jones, Executive Director & Co-Founder.
From left to right: Jason Sturgis, Videographer and longtime Whale Trust collaborator; Ralph Pace, Research Photographer; and Flip Nicklin, Whale Trust Co-Founder and Photographer.
Whale Trust Board Members
Allen Jones President & Treasurer
Pat Cochran, MD Vice President
Karyn Kunzelman, PhD Secretary
Cathy Maxwell, PhD
Linda Caldwell
Brad Eichhorst, MD
Founding Board Members Our work would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of our Board Members. On our 25th year, we want to pay a special tribute to those that have been with us from the very start, Allen Jones, Pat Cochran, and Karyn Kunzelman. Mahalo for all that you have given to Whale Trust over the years!
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Our mission is to conduct, support, and promote scientific research and education programs on whales and the marine environment.
Our vision is a world that understands, appreciates, and protects whales and the ocean planet we share.
25 years of discovery, and we’re just getting started...