Pacific Whale Foundation
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
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2009 Maui Whale Festival Events Announced

MAALAEA, HI -- Whalewatch enthusiasts consider Maui to be one of the world's top whalewatch spots -- a place where beachgoers can view 40-ton humpbacks breaching and splashing just offshore. In honor of the whales, Maui celebrates the Maui Whale Festival, which will take place in 2009 throughout the month of February.

The festival is organized by the nonprofit Pacific Whale Foundation, a Maui-based organization that has worked to protect whales throughout the Pacific since 1980. Events include a fun run; an all-day festival featuring a free concert by many of Hawaii's top musicians; a free talk and slideshow; two special whalewatch cruises with Greg Kaufman, the founder and president of Pacific Whale Foundation; and a citizen's count of whales that can be viewed from Maui's shores.

"We have observed and studied humpback whales in many parts of the world, "says Greg Kaufman, President and Founder of Pacific Whale Foundation. "And what we've seen is that Maui's whalewatching is right there at the top."

"We hold this festival to celebrate the whales' presence, and to bring attention to the need to protect these majestic animals and their ocean home," says Kaufman.

The following is a list of the events planned for the 2009 Great Maui Whale Festival. For more information, please call Pacific Whale Foundation at (808) 249-8811 or 1-800-WHALE-1-1 ext. 1. You can also find more information, including sponsorship opportunities, entry forms for our Run for the Whales and a sign-up form for our Parade of Whales at our special Maui Whale Festival website at www.greatmauiwhalefestival.org.


Run for the Whales
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Runners and walkers are invited to join in the popular Run for the Whales along the scenic coast of South Maui -- from Wailea to Makena. Runners choose from a 5K walk or fun run or a half marathon run ... plus a 2K children&Mac185;s race! Participants receive a free race t-shirt, a free post-race breakfast, and free accurate timing (for the 5K and half marathon). There are medals for the top finishers and great prize giveaways; the entry fee is $35 for the half marathon, $25 for the 5K and $20 for the 2K. Fees benefit marine education programs for Maui schoolchildren. Race starts at the Polo Beach lot in Wailea (next to Fairmont Kea Lani). To register, visit www.pacificwhale.org or www.greatmauiwhalefestival.org for a downloadable entry form or visit www.active.com. You may also call 1-800-942-5311 ext. 1

Free Talk and Slideshow
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Greg Kaufman Presents Highlights of "A Year with the Whales"
Don't miss this annual talk and multimedia show by Greg Kaufman, noted whale researcher and author, and the founder and president of the non-profit Pacific Whale Foundation. Greg will present highlights from the past year of whale research, including Pacific Whale Foundation's projects in Australia, Tonga and Ecuador. If you want to see some incredible photos of whales (and hear about some amazing encounters), this is a talk that you don't want to miss! Free and open to all. 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Pacific Whale Foundation's Discovery Center, downstairs at The Harbor Shops at Ma'alaea (on Route 30, next to Maui Ocean Center). Feel free to bring a snack or brown bag supper. A book-signing of Greg's books (Hawaii's Humpback Whales and 125 Fun Facts about Humpback Whales) will follow. For information, call (808) 249-8811 ext. 1.

Maui's Parade of Whales
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Maui residents and visitors turn out by the thousands for this community parade in honor of the humpback whales that migrate to Maui each winter. Music, floats, gymnasts, marching bands, costumed characters and a life-sized humpback whale balloon are all part of the fun! 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. traveling south along South Kihei Road on Maui, ending at Kalama Park by the big whale statue. The parade is the official kick-off to Whale Day, a free, all-day celebration of whales. Want to participate in the parade? Call Pacific Whale Foundation at 1-800-942-5311 ext. 1 or email lendy@pacificwhale.org. Visit www.greatmauiwhalefestival.org for a downloadable parade sign-up form.

Maui's Whale Day Celebration
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Whale Day is Maui's largest and longest running celebration of its famous wintertime residents, the humpback whales! This free, all-day celebration-in-the-park is hosted by the non-profit Pacific Whale Foundation and includes live music by some of Hawaii&Mac185;s top recording stars, great food by popular Maui restaurants, a gigantic craft fair featuring more than 100 local artists, environmental displays, activities for children, a parade (at 9 a.m.) and lots of information about whales! Whale Day is free and open to all. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Kalama Park in Kihei.

Interested in donating to Whale Day or the other events of Maui Whale Festival? Please download our Sponsorship Information Brochure and Application at www.greatmauiwhalefestival.org.

Keiki Eco-Fair
Saturday, February 21, 2009
A new feature at Whale Day, Keiki Eco-Fair is part of Pacific Whale Foundation's initiative to provide quality outdoor environmental education opportunities for children. Children of ages are encouraged to visit this environmental education "playground" offered by Pacific Whale Foundation and other island environmental groups. Keiki Eco-Fair will include many free, hands-on science and conservation activities. And of course, there will also be bouncy castles, carnival games, children's performances and popular environmental edu-tainers!

The Wild & Wonderful Whale Regatta
Saturday, February 21, 2009
The whales are at the starting gate, for Maui's own version of the Rubber Ducky Race, featuring cute rubber whales on a thrilling racecourse at Kalama Park, from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. The grand prize is free round-trip airfare for two to Maui from the U.S. Mainland. For entry forms, contact Pacific Whale Foundation at (808) 249-8811 or 1-800-WHALE-1-1 ext. 1 or visit www.pacificwhale.org.

The Great Whale Count
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Make it a memorable morning by joining in this annual citizens' count of the humpback whales that can be seen along Maui&Mac185;s shorelines. No experience is required; there&Mac185;s no cost to participate. The research team at Pacific Whale Foundation will provide the training and the tools. It&Mac185;s a great way to learn about humpback whales and whale research, and see more whales from shore than you ever imagined! To sign up, contact Pacific Whale Foundation at (808) 249-8811 or 1-800-WHALE-1-1 ext. 1 or click here to email.

VIP Whalewatches with Pacific Whale Foundation President Greg Kaufman
Sunday, February 22 from Maalaea Harbor and
Sunday, March 1 from Lahaina Harbor
Take part in a very special whalewatch, led by Greg Kaufman, president and founder of Pacific Whale Foundation and co-author of three books about humpback whales. Greg will draw on his 30 years of whale research experience as he narrates a thrilling two-hour whalewatch cruise for you. There are only two of these special VIP whalewatches with Greg offered each year, so
don't miss them! The first is on Pacific Whale Foundation's ultra-stable, eco-friendly catamaran Ocean Odyssey on Sunday, February 22 from Ma'alaea Harbor. The second is on Pacific Whale Foundation's newest vessel, the high-tech, stable Ocean Discovery on Sunday, March 1 from Lahaina Harbor.

Each party will receive a complimentary Whale Poster, free color Whalewatch Guide, and an autographed copy of Greg Kaufman's book, 125 Fun Facts about Humpback Whales. Whale sightings are guaranteed or you receive a "Just a Fluke" coupon to go again for FREE! The price is $49.95 for adults, $34.95 for children. Early reservations are strongly encouraged as these special ecotours fill up very quickly. Book online and save 10%. Pacific Whale Foundation members save 20%. For reservations, visit www.pacificwhale.org.

To learn more about any of these events, please call Pacific Whale Foundation at (808) 249-8811 ext. 1. From the U.S. Mainland or neighbor islands, please call toll-free at 1-800-WHALE-1-1 ext. 1. You can also find complete information and latest news at www.greatmauiwhalefestival.org.

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