Whale Tales 2024 Program

PRESENTED BY WHALE TRUST FEBRUARY 16-18, 2024

LEGACY & PRESENTING SPONSORS Makana Aloha Foundation The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua Charles Hook Charles G. Wright Endowment for Humanity Marie Weis Garry weber

Proud Legacy Sponsors of

KOHOLĀ LEGACY SPONSORS

MAHALO

Makana Aloha Foundation The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua

PRESENTING SPONSORS

Charles G. Wright Endowment for Humanity Charles Hook | Encore | Marie Weis | Garry Weber

BLUE WHALE/PREMIER SPONSORS

Anderman Family Foundation | Brad & Sherry Eichhorst Jeff Herbst & Marge Erwin | Jim & Cathy Maxwell John & Melissa Meier | William Kronenberg III Lindblad Expeditions - National Geographic

GRAY WHALE

Barbara & Greg MacGillivray | David & Helen Jean Hamernick Grube Family & Hua Momona Farms | Curtis & Julie Robb Lynne Taylor & Bruce Bagamery | Mary Forbes

SPERM WHALE

Carolyn M. Schaefer Jackie & Rodney Lyons

ORCA WHALE

Donna & Dan Peterson Bob & Linda Caldwell Robert Haskell & Eduardo Pena-Herrera Ministry of Fun Florence Foundation Moi Fulton & Lee Daniker Fulkerson Winery Pamela Scott James Howell Foundation Patrick & Pat Muffler Judy Sturgis Scott & Sandy Mubarak Marilyn Wright Smith Family Charitable Fund

WHALE WATCH PARTNERS

MAHALO

Makai Adventure Cruises | Maui Pacific Divers Pacific Whale Foundation | Teralani Sailing Adventures Trilogy Excursions | Ultimate Whale Watch

EVENT PARTNERS & IN-KIND SPONSORS

Adam Bailey of Critical Stories | Bryan Berkowitz KaiAloha Supply | Hua Momona Farms | Kokua Suncare | Maui Print Works | Maui Ku’ia Estate Chocolate| Mokoa Rental Car | Ocean Futures Society

FEATURED ARTIST PARTNER Sherri Reeve Designs

KEIKI EVENT PARTNERS

King Kamehameha III Elementary School Maui Preparatory Academy | Pōmaikaʻi Elementary School Princess Nahienaena Elementary School Sacred Hearts School | Ocean Futures Society | Alaska Whale and Drone Tours | Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary | MacGillivray Freeman Films | We Shine Foundation Whale Trust

SPECIAL THANKS TO

Bryan Berkowitz | Jan & Grady Booch | Jami Burks Ian Byington | Jean-Michel Cousteau | Nancy Marr Adam Quinn | Andrew Rogers | Robb Family | Sherri Reeve | Connie Sutherland | Jackie Lyons | Molly Glen

WHALE TRUST TEAM

Josie Byington | Jim Darling | Brad Eichhorst | Meagan Jones Gray | Emma Hearne | Flip Nicklin | Ralph Pace| Haley Robb Spears

WHALE TRUST BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Linda Caldwell | Karyn Cochran | Pat Cochran | Brad Eichhorst | Norm Estin | Meagan Jones Gray | Allen Jones | Cathy Maxwell Flip Nicklin

MAHALO NUI TO OUR INCREDIBLE VOLUNTEERS!

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16 11:00am - Doors Open

SCHEDULE

PRESENTATION SCHEDULE

11:00am - 5:00pm - Community Art Expo & Mauka to Makai Science Center 1:00pm - Welcome & Event Blessing with Uncle Wilmont 1:20pm - Flip Nicklin Maui Whales, 1972-1979

2:00pm - Josh Young The Veggie Whales

2:30pm - Break 2:50pm - Beth Goodwin Deep Ocean Humpbacks: Anomaly or Assembly?

3:10pm - Tim Frasier, PhD Using Genetics to Aid Whale Conservation

3:50pm - Break 4:00pm - Marty Wolff Humpbacks & Connection

4:20pm - Rachel Cartwright, PhD

From First Breath to Final Moments: New Details on the Life Histories of Hawaii’s Humpback Whales

7:00pm - Screening of National Geographic “Incredible Animal Journeys: Ocean Odysseys” with Special Guest Jean-Michel Cousteau

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17 11:00am - Doors Open

11:00am - 5:00pm - Community Art Expo & Mauka to Makai Science Center 1:00pm - Welcome 1:10pm - Jim Darling, PhD North Pacific Humpback Whale Song Collaboration: A Preview

1:50pm - Megan McElligott, Haley Robb Spears, and Martin Van Aswegen Learning from the Next Generation of Marine Mammal Scientists in Hawaii

2:30pm - Break 2:45pm - Daniel Sullivan Chasing the ‘Āina

3:05pm - Brenna Frasier, PhD Norse Whale Use In Medieval Iceland

3:45pm - Break 4:00pm - Ed Lyman Freeing Entangled Whales: Lahaina’s Broad Flukeprint

SCHEDULE

WHALE WATCHES & EXPERIENCES

100% of the proceeds from the benefit whale watches and experiential events support the Whale Tales Beneficiary program or support our local community partners impacted by the wildfires. Mahalo to each of them for their support during an incredibly challenging year.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16 7:00 AM: Makai Adventure Cruises with Jean-Michel Cousteau

Beneficiary of Whale Tales 2024, Mala Wharf and Ramp 9:45 AM: Maui Pacific Divers with Daniel Sullivan (Photo Safari)

Sponsored by Maui Pacific Divers, Maalaea Harbor

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17 7:00AM: Teralani Charters with Ed Lyman Sponsored by Teralani Charters, Kaanapali Beach 8:00 AM: Flip Nicklin & Friends Whale Watch Flip Nicklin, Ralph Pace, Josh Young and Jean-Michel Cousteau Sponsored by Trilogy Excursions, Kaanapali Beach 9:45 AM: Maui Pacific Divers with Beth Goodwin Sponsored by Maui Pacific Divers, Maalaea Harbor

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18

8:00 AM: Trilogy Excursions with Drs. Jim Darling, Tim and Brenna Frasier Sponsored by Trilogy Excursions, Kaanapali Beach

9:45 AM: Maui Pacific Divers with Megan McElligott & Martin Van Aswegen Sponsored by Maui Pacific Divers, Maalaea Harbor

1:30PM: Maui Kui’a Estate Chocolate Private Tour and Tasting with Dr. Gunars Valkirs Maui Kui’a Estate Chocolate Factory and Pavilion, Lahaina Proceeds Benefit Whale Tales Beneficiary Program, Limited Capacity 4:15 PM: VIP Sunset Cruise with Presenters and Sponsors Sponsored by Trilogy Excursions, Kaanapali Beach

NOTE: Please be sure to take a note of your Departure Time and Location (all are listed above).

All whale watches are 2 hours unless otherwise noted. Check-in time is 30 minutes prior to departure unless otherwise noted. Please note that boats cannot be held and refunds cannot be given for missed whale watches. Mahalo for your support!

BETH GOODWIN The Jupiter Research Foundation

PRESENTERS

Beth ran the Hawaii operations and marine mammal programs for The Jupiter Research Foundation for 16-years. She was a co-founder of Liquid Robotics Inc., the inventor of the autonomous vehicle the “Wave Glider”.

She has conducted humpback whale research in Alaska and Hawaii for decades and served as a NOAA marine mammal observer on several cruises throughout the Eastern Tropical Pacific. She is passionate about marine mammals and protecting the oceans.

BRENNA FRASIER, PhD Saint Mary’s University

Dr. Brenna Frasier is a Research Associate with Saint Mary’s University. She is a biologist and molecular ecologist whose research has largely focused on using DNA analysis to examine the history and conservation of variety of species ranging from bats to horses, with a primary focus on marine mammals. Her research has examined 16th century Basque whaling in Labrador, 20th century Antarctic whaling around Deception Island, the extirpated Maritimes walrus, and more recently she has been working on a collaborative project examining the use of marine mammals in Norse Age sites around the North Atlantic.

ED LYMAN Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Ed Lyman is currently the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary’s Natural Resource Specialist and acts as the Regional Large Whale Entanglement Response Coordinator under NOAA Fisheries’ Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program. Ed has worked with NOAA, state agencies, and non-profits in addressing large whale entanglement threat for nearly 30-years. His efforts encompass Alaska, the East and West Coasts, Hawaii and other countries. Ed has participated in over 120 disentanglement efforts and helped free more than 70 marine animals, many of them large whales, from life-threatening entanglements.

JIM DARLING, PhD Whale Trust

1Dr. Jim Darling has led research programs on whales for over 40-years.

Jim has been Executive Director of West Coast Whale Research Foundation and is a director of Pacific WildLife Foundation, Canadian research and education societies, and as well was research director of the Clayoquot Biosphere Project, a Vancouver Island community-based organization that promoted field research in the temperate rainforest ecosystem. His primary studies include long-term investigations of behavior and ecology of gray whales in British Columbia and humpback whales throughout the North Pacific.

RACHEL CARTWRIGHT, PhD THE KEIKI KOHOLĀ PROJECT Dr. Rachel Cartwright is the lead researcher for the Keiki Koholā Project, a grassroots research group based on Maui, Hawaii. Originally founded by a group of concerned boat captains and naturalists, the Keiki Kohola Project focuses on issues that impact humpback mothers and their young calves during their time in Hawaiian waters, by providing management-based research that can contribute to the protection of humpback whale mother-calf pairs. Most recently, their work has focused on impact of the recent marine heatwave on Hawaii’s humpback whales.

TIM FRASIER, PhD Saint Mary’s University

FLIP NICKLIN Whale Trust

PRESENTERS

Tim Frasier has been conducting genetic analyses on whale populations for over 20-years. He is currently a professor in the department of Biology at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he is also the coordinator of their Forensic Sciences Program. Most of his research has been focused on North Atlantic right whales and the beluga whale population in the St. Lawrence estuary. However, he has worked on a wide range of species, include gray and sperm whales, long-finned pilot whales, and finless porpoises in Asia.

Flip Nicklin is a world-renowned underwater photographer and has spent his career specializing in the photography of marine mammals. Through 21 National Geographic articles, he has worked closely with top whale researchers from around the world. From this work Flip brings a unique, global perspective on the study of whales to Whale Trust. Flip has assisted on studies of humpback whales in Hawaii since the 1970s and lives and works in Maui for the Whale Season. In 2012, Flip was bestowed one of the highest honors by The North American Nature Photography Association by being named Outstanding Photographer of the Year.

DANIEL SULLIVAN Daniel Sullivan Photography

Maui photographer, Daniel Sullivan has a 16-year career capturing the picturesque landscapes of Hawaii. His work in landscape, underwater, and aerial photography has garnered global recognition, with features in prominent magazines worldwide. In 2012, Daniel embarked on an extensive journey, traversing the entire coast of Maui in pursuit of the ancient Kings Highway, an expedition chronicled in his book, “The Maui Coast, Legacy of the Kings Highway.”

MARTY WOLFF Lahaina Art Society

A Bronx born baby boomer, Marty is living on the island of Maui. Marty got his first camera at age 14 & was immediately hooked on the idea of “capturing a moment in time”. “It’s all about light, shapes & colors”. During the Cultural Revolution of the 70s, Marty applied his art to the creation of Psychedelic Light Shows, then theatrical/concert lighting. Through the late 70's and into the 80's, he traveled the world as a Rock ‘n Roll concert producer and lighting/stage designer, producing The Doobie Brothers live concerts, while being a promoter for other artists as well.

JOSH YOUNG Alaska Whale and Drone Tours

Despite the absence of formal training, Josh has cultivated a unique perspective on marine life. The turning point in his journey occurred with the inception of his whale-watching company – Alaska Whale and Drone Tours – which incorporated drone technology to enhance their observations. Through 4k footage, he gained new insights into humpback whale behaviors, observing them as they fed, socialized, and interacted with their surroundings. The evolution of his work has transitioned from observing whales from boats to spending hundreds of hours capturing their behaviors from an aerial perspective.

JEAN-MICHEL COUSTEAU Ocean Futures Society

PRESENTERS

Special Guest

Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Futures Society reaches millions of people globally through inspirational documentaries and TV series, IMAX & feature films, outdoor educational environmental programing,environmental campaigns and projects, Live multimedia presentations, book publications, articles, and curriculum for schools, collaborates with NGOs, consults with corporate interest groups, and communicates with governments providing solutions inspiring action! Jean-Michel’s reputation as an impassioned global humanitarian inspires young people & families, community decisionmakers, governments & industry energizing alliances for positive change to protect our planet through wise sustainable environmental policy.

Graduate Students HALEY ROBB SPEARS

University of California at Santa Cruz | Whale Trust

Haley is a PhD student at the University of California, Santa Cruz and a research associate with Whale Trust. Haley was introduced to Whale Trust through the Whale Tales Keiki Program as an elementary school student.

She is now conducting her research in collaboration with Whale Trust examining the reproductive physiology and behavior of humpbacks using steroid hormones. Her goal is to determine how these reproductive and stress hormones influence the reproductive biology and mating systems of humpbacks here in Hawaii.

MEGAN MCELLIGOTT

University of Hawaii at Manōa | Oceanwide Science Institute Megan McElligott is a doctoral candidate at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in the Marine Biology Graduate Program. Her research interests include bioacoustics and behavior of marine mammals. Currently, her dissertation research centers on using passive acoustics to monitor when and where Hawaiian spinner dolphins get their daily rest around Maui Nui, Hawaiʻi island, and Oʻahu. The goal of her research is to help wildlife managers determine the best ways to protect spinner dolphins from human disturbance.

MARTIN VAN ASWEGEN

University of Hawaii at Manōa | Alaska Whale Foundation

Martin is a doctoral Candidate at the University of Hawaii at Manōa’s Marine Mammal Research Program and Graduate Fellow at the Alaska Whale Foundation. Since 2018, he has been using drones to quantify the size and body condition of North Pacific humpback whales on their Hawaiian breeding and Southeast Alaskan feeding grounds. For his PhD, Martin is developing a bioenergetic model quantifying energetic costs of pre- and post-natal humpback whale growth and is linking humpback whale body condition to climatic and productivity trends throughout their North Pacific feeding grounds.

WHALE TALES 2024 BENEFICIARIES The Whale Tales 2024 Beneficiary Fund aims to support several key initiatives in Lahaina and beyond, despite the challenges faced in the past year. Profits generated during the event will be allocated to select beneficiaries, including:

Hui O Ka Wai Ola Lahaina Restoration Foundation North Pacific Humpback Whale Song Study Additionally, the fund will provide scholarships and stipends for aspiring marine mammal biology students, fostering the next generation of ocean stewards and researchers.

If you have any questions, please contact Meagan at mjones@whaletrust.org.

EDUCATION & OUTREACH PROGRAM Our Education Program at Whale Tales 2024 was a tremendous success, hosting over 175 students. Through hands-on workshops and presentations from experts, we aim to inspire a passion for marine science and conservation among are keiki.

Mahalo to Haley Robb Spears for organizing this year’s education program and many thanks to our field trip presenters and station leaders!

SILENT AUCTION FEATURED ITEMS 6-day Wild Iceland Escape for 2 CATEGORY 1 CABIN ABOARD NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORER Departs June 10 or July 8, 2025

Escape to Kapalua

2-NIGHT STAY IN OCEAN VIEW ROOM, DAILY BREAKFASTS, DINNER FOR 2 AT BANYAN TREE, AND MORE

VALUE: $12,760

VALUE: $3,440

Randy Puckett Bronze Sculpture

Randy Puckett Bronze Sculpture

“HUMPBACK & DOLPHINS”

“ENCOUNTER”

VALUE: $8,500

VALUE: $42,000

VISIT THE WHALE TALES SILENT AUCTION TABLE OR CLICK HERE TO BID! 100% of proceeds go to our Whale Tales Beneficiary Fund,

Mahalo to all of our generous auction donors! Visit our auction page for a complete list of items and donors. *This list reflects auction donors confirmed or received at the time of publishing.

ALOHA Andaz Maui Basket of Aloha The Beachhouse, Waikiki Body Glove Dale Zarella Daniel Sullivan Deep Blue Eco Tours Discovery Whale Watch Ferrero’s, Four Seasons Resort Freediving Ohana Hawaiian Village Coffee Home Hawaii Design

Kaimana Divers Kaimana, Waikiki KauaI Sea Tours Keoki’s Paradise Resurant Laird Superfood Lindblad Expeditions Manoa Chocolate Maui Diving Maui Ocean Center Montage - Cane & Canoe Ocean Vodka Puka Perri Randy Wells, SDRP

Sage Wildlife Collective Sarah Voyer Art Sewing Arts Planet Snuba Tours of Kauai South Pacific Dreams Publishing Star of Honolulu The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua Tommy Bahama Waikiki Brewing - Wailea Waikulu Distillery Waterlust Wild Side Specialty Tours

WHALE TRUST Alaska Photo Expedition August 1 - 5, 2024 Join contributing National Geographic and Whale Trust photographers, Flip Nicklin and Ralph Pace, with local awardwinning nature photographer and host, Mark Kelley. This unique photo expedition is limited to just 8 participants and will provide you with an in-depth experience to learn and explore some of the key elements of nature photography with whales, Alaska landscapes, and other wildlife as your muse.

Email Meagan at mjones@whaletrust.org to learn more!

HUA MOMONA FARMS Hua Momona Farms has been supplying Maui and Oahu with fresh, Organic Microgreens since 2019 from their elevated oasis in Kapalua on the western end of Maui. Our “Maui-Macro-Micros” offer unparalleled, long-lasting quality and highly nutritious greens making us the #1 Microgreen supplier on Maui.

Community Art Expo Businesses that participate in the Community Art Expo donate 20% of sales to Whale Tales.

Stacy Vosberg Fine Art

Rebecca Krannichfeld Art

Tails of Stellwagen

Mauka to Makai Science Center Friday, February 16 & Saturday, February 17 | 11:00am -5:00pm

Save the Wetlands Hui

Maui Ocean Center

Blue Whale Sponsors

Anderman Family Foundation Brad & Sherry Eichhorst blue whale sponsors Erwin Jeff Herbst & Marge Jim & Cathy Maxwell John & Melissa Meier William Kronenberg III Lindblad Expeditions - National Geographic

Mahalo nui!

Gray Whale Sponsors

Barbara & Greg MacGillivray David & Helen Jean Hamernick Grube Family &grey Hua Momona Farms whale Curtis &sponsors Julie Robb Lynne Taylor & Bruce Bagamery Mary Forbes

Sperm Whale Sponsors humpback whale

Carolyn M. Schaefer Jackie & Rodney Lyons

Mahalo nui!

Orca Whale Sponsors

sperm & orca Donna & Dan Peterson Bob & Linda Caldwell Robert Haskell & Eduardo Ministry of Fun Pena-Herrera Moira Fulton & Lee Daniker Florence Foundation Pamela Scott Fulkerson Winery Patrick & Pat Muffler James Howell Foundation Scott & Sandy Mubarak Judy Sturgis Smith Family Charitable Fund Marilyn Wright

FEATURED ARTIST Sherri Reeve Sherri Reeve, born in 1963 in California, moved to Oahu at six, where her artistic journey began.

Inspired by Hawaii's vibrant hues, she adorned her room with teal, pink, persimmon, and yellow – shades prevalent in her artwork today.

Self-taught, Reeve honed her skills while working in graphic design, her creations gracing publications like the New York Times.

Returning to Hawaii in 1989, she gained nationwide recognition, her products reaching over 2000 stores statewide. Establishing her gallery in Makawao in 1997, Reeve's art, known for its affordability and uniqueness, adorns collections worldwide. With her family's support, Reeve's store thrives, blending personal touch with online accessibility. Today, she relishes the joy of creation, engaging with customers in her Maui gallery and online, ensuring her art remains accessible and enjoyable for all.

To learn more about her work visit sreeve.com or visit her gallery in Makawao!

PROUD SUPPORTERS OF WHALE TALES 2024

REALLY REEF SAFE, HIGH PERFORMANCE SUN PROTECTION Visit KokuaSuncare.com to learn more!

MAHALO NUI! Garry Weber Charles Hook

Marie Weis 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 Tale’s 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 17 years, Whale Tales has raised more than $1,000,000 for whale research, education, and conservation efforts and has reached thousands of individuals from around the world.

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.

For more information, visit www.whaletrust.org.

All photos use with permission - Flip Nicklin/Ralph Pace, NMFS Permit #19225

PO Box 1360, PUUNENE, HAWAII 96784 | 808-572-5700 | WHALETRUST.ORG