This year, we hosted 13 presenters, including both local and international experts. Local presenters included three Maui photographers and three graduate students representing the next generation of marine mammal researches in Hawai`i.
Elementary Schoolchildren
1 021 people participated in the 2024 Whale Tales weekend, including 172 elementary school students and 189 virtual attendees
To support teachers and students displaced by the fires, we brought back our beloved keiki program in 2024. This year, 172 students from five different elementary schools, including four schools from Lahaina joined us for a 1/2 day of fun and learning around whales and the ocean
Our Community Art Expo celebrates the work of local artists and businesses With 20% of sales contributing to our Beneficiaries Fund, these artists’ participation not only showcases their work but also directly contributes to meaningful environmental initiatives.
Our Mauka to Makai Science Center is an immersive, handson learning experience dedicated to highlighting the importance of land and ocean systems working together as one to protect our environment. 17 local conservation organizations, from watershed partnerships to wetlands to marine organizations, came together in 2024 to educate, inspire, and connect with a community eager to learn and support marine conservation efforts!
Proceeds from our Benefit Whale Watches support the Whale Tales Beneficiaries Fund Our whale watch partners donate their boats, time, and crew to support our mission! This year, many of our long term whale watch partners suffered major losses from the August wildfires. Ultimate Whale Watch and Makai Adventure Cruises were offered 100% of proceeds from their whale watches to help them rebuild their businesses and heal.
Bringing Whales to West Maui Classrooms
The Whale Tales Education Program has always been a special part of Whale Tales. The program, led by Whale Trust, aims to inspire students to become active stewards of the environment, to increase student interest in the marine sciences, and to provide first-hand experience with researchers and techniques currently used to study marine mammals.
Established in 2006, this STEAM educational program has always been directed towards elementary and intermediate students in West Maui In August 2023, the West side of Maui suffered devastating losses, including the loss of King Kamehameha III Elementary School and the displacement of West Maui schoolchildren from their homes and schools.
Our hope was that bringing back this part of Whale Tales would not only support West Maui teachers and students, but serve to shine a bright light into the lives of our keiki while fostering a sense of connection to their surroundings and the marine ecosystem that surrounds their island home.
Classroom visits by Whale Trust preceded the half-day field trip at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua where keiki rotated through six hands-on STEAM workshops focused on a range of experiences which included: touring the inside of a life-sized inflatable humpback whale and learning how to disentangle a whale from fishing gear with the Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary, discovering how drones and other technologies are used to study whales, creating their own humpback song, and meeting JeanMichel Cousteau to learn about ocean conservation.
The inspiring program concluded with a special performance from the We The Shine Keiki Choir of Pōmaikaʻi Elementry School!
Maui Keiki
Served
Mauka to Makai Science Center
This year, our Mauka to Makai Center was as lively as ever, with 17 dedicated organizations participating. Their passionate efforts in conservation and education were on full display, engaging our audience and providing invaluable insights into the vital work being done to protect our natural environment Through interactive exhibits, these organizations not only highlighted their significant contributions but also inspired attendees to become more involved in preserving Hawaii's unique ecosystems. We are deeply grateful for their commitment and enthusiasm, which significantly enriched the Whale Tales experience.
Special thanks to the organizations that joined Whale Trust: Maui Forest Birds, Maui Ocean Center, Pacific Whale Foundation, Kipuka Olowalu, Marine Mammal Center, Coral Reef Alliance, DLNR-DAR, Maui Nui Seabird Recovery Project, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, Mauna Kahalawai Watershed Partnership, Hawaii Wildlife Fund, Hui O Ka Wai Ola, Tree Covery Hawaii, Save the Wetlands Hui, and Maui Marine Institute, and Ambassadors of the Environment.
17 Organizations
Community Art Expo
Our Community Art Expo celebrated the work of local artists and businesses. As participants, their brands were featured throughout the Whale Tales weekend, creating a unique opportunity to connect with our community. With 20% of sales contributing to our Beneficiaries Fund, their participation not only showcased their work but also directly contributed to meaningful environmental initiatives.
12
Local Artists
Special thanks to Ocean Jazz, Jellum Woodworks, Marty Wolff Photography, Lokelani Essentials, Rebecca Krannichfeld Art, East Wind Print Co., Stacy Vosberg, Daniel Sullivan Photography, Diane Appler, Jules Trowbridge, Alaska Whale And Drone Tours and Photography, and Richard Dolan of Tails of Stellwagen!
Benefit Whale Watches
Despite many changes to our whale watching community in Maui in the last year and challenging weather, Whale Tales featured nine benefit whale watches that allowed participants to join presenters on the water to experience whales first-hand
Many of our whale watch partners suffered tremendous losses due to the wildfires As committed supporters of Whale Trust over the years, Ultimate Whale Watch and Makai Adventure Cruises were offered 100% of proceeds from their whale watches to help them rebuild their businesses and heal Mahalo, Makai Adventure Cruises and Ultimate Whale Watch, for your long-standing support for the whale community!
Remaining proceeds from our Benefit Whale Watches supported the Whale Tales Beneficiary Fund!
Whale Watches
59 Volunteers Mahalo nui to our incredible volunteers!
Volunteers are the heart and soul of Whale Tales, playing a crucial role in making the event a success year after year. Their passion and commitment are irreplaceable, as they dedicate their time and energy to ensure that every aspect of the event runs smoothly.
From coordinating logistics to engaging with participants and supporting our conservation goals, our volunteers embody the spirit of community and collaboration that Whale Tales represents. Without their support, enthusiasm, and hard work, it would be impossible to create the meaningful and impactful experiences that our attendees have come to cherish. Our deepest gratitude goes out to each and every volunteer who contributes to the magic of Whale Tales.
Adam Heiman
Alicia Pando
Andrea Graessle
Ann Ahlbrecht
Ann McGowan
Annalesa Klein
Audrey Leavens
Bianca Vaz
Bill Mahony
Bonnie Weber
Caroline Anthony
Cindy Provost
Cindy Sanders
Cliff Russell
Colleen Simpson
Conde McGowan
Daniel Reyes
Dave Spiess
David (Dave) Kay
Donell Thomas
Donna Brown
Laura Taylor
Edward Taylor
Eileen Robb
Elizabeth Mantone
Gerry Brown
Gina Johnson
Gretchen Rauchwarter
Gunta Broderick
Harry Fuller
Ian Byington
Jackie Lyons
Jackie Mahony
Jeff Simpson
Jeffrey Simpson
Jill Laird-Sanders
Judy Blomgren
Katherine (Katy) Weeks
Kathleen Giambalvo
Kim Roden
Kimberli Bryant
Kimberly Barron
Kyrinn Wilde
Linda Goodmanson
Martin Morey
Michele Morey
Michelle Baringer
Molly Glen
Pat Reader
Patti Oreilly
Shelly Lehman
Sherry LeMaster
Stephanie Woods
Sue Milligan
Bob Milligan
Sue Spiess
Susie Waggoner
Susan Engstrom
Valerie Fuller
Special Events & Networking Opportunities
Each year, Whale Tales hosts a series of events that provide valuable opportunities for networking and community building among our presenters, sponsors, volunteers, and attendees
Sponsor & Presenter Reception
The Sponsor and Presenter Reception took place for the first time this year at Hua Momona Farms It featured a dining experience by Chef Zack Laidlaw, a top-three finalist on Gordon Ramsay's show "Next Level Chef " This special event offered a picturesque setting for sponsors and presenters to connect and engage in meaningful conversations
Flip and Friends Whale Watch
Each year, the Flip and Friends Whale Watch is a highlight of Whale Tales for our sponsors and attendees. In partnership with Trilogy, this special morning whale watch featured National Geographic photographers Flip Nicklin and Ralph Pace, alongside the legendary ocean explorer Jean-Michel Cousteau
Film Screening
One of this year ' s highlights was the public screening of National Geographic's Incredible Animal Journeys: Ocean Odysseys at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua. With over 400 guests, this event featured a special introduction by Jean-Michel Cousteau of Ocean Futures Society.
VIP Whale Watch
The VIP Whale Watch, in partnership with Trilogy Excursions, was offered to our sponsors and presenters and took place on a 64 ft sailing catamaran It’s provides our sponsors a serene evening on the water with delicious food, beverages, and a stunning sunset, fostering closer connections in an intimate environment
Mahalo Whale Watch
To express our gratitude to our dedicated volunteers, we hosted a Volunteer Whale Watch post-Whale Tales weekend, donated by the Pacific Whale Foundation. This event celebrated our volunteers' contributions with a beautiful afternoon whale watching.
Whale Tales Sponsorship Income Growth
$113,950
Years of Whale Tales 18
Raised to support whale research and our Maui community $1,201,685
Beneficiaries
Each year, 100% of proceeds from Whale Tales supports humpback whale research across the North Pacific. This year, in light of the recent wildfires, funds raised not only contributed to whale research but also to help support restoration efforts in Lahaina and its surrounding natural environment!
Hui O Ka Wai Ola
Lahaina Restoration Foundation
Uncle Wilmont Kamaunu Kahaialii Graduate
Song Project
ABOUT WHALE TALES
Each winter since 2006, world-renowned marine scientists, photographers, filmmakers, and conservationists join Whale Trust as a part of our annual community outreach and fundraising event, Whale Tales. Whale Tales’ purpose is to build collaborations and bring the latest in whale and dolphin research to a global audience. All proceeds from Whale Tales support whale research and education in Hawai’i. In 18 years, Whale Tales has raised more than $1,200,000 for whale research, education, and conservation efforts and has reached thousands of individuals from around the world.
ABOUT WHALE TRUST
Whale Trust is a Maui-based non-profit organization whose mission is to conduct, support, and promote scientific research on whales and the marine environment Our vision is a world that understands, appreciates, and protects the ocean planet we share Our founders are passionate scientists and explorers who believe that science - the quest for answers to the most intriguing questions about our natural world lies at the heart of environmental education and conservation. Whale Trust’s research programs focus on exploring the natural communication, behavior patterns, and social organization of whales. Results from Whale Trust’s research programs focus on exploring the natural communication, behavior patterns, and social organization of whales Results from Whale Trust’s research are the bases for a broader program of out reach and education that involve the public, educators, and a new generation of researchers whom Whale Trust hopes to inspire
