Great Maui Whale Festival Events
 The Great Maui Whale Festival
to be held Feb. 9 – Feb. 24
MA'ALAEA (MAUI), 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 Great Maui Whale Festival, which will take place from February 9 through February 24, 2008.
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; a special whalewatch cruise with Pacific Whale Foundation's President and Founder 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. "Our theme for the festival is ' Go Green, Help Save the Whales'."
The schedule for The Great Maui Whale Festival includes:
 Saturday, February 9, 2008
Run for the Whales
A Half Marathon and 5K Fun Run, with a 2K Walk and Children’s Fun Run, along the scenic South Maui coast in Makena and Wailea. Includes a race t-shirt, professional timing (for the 5K and Half Marathon events) aid stations and post-race continental breakfast. This annual event draws runners from across the country, with over 400 runners participating each year.
Proceeds benefit marine education programs for Maui schoolchildren.
All of the races start at the Polo Beach parking lot next door to the Fairmont Kea Lani Hotel in Wailea. Check-in begins at 6:00 a.m. for the Half Marathon and 7:00 a.m. for the other race events. Starting time for the Half Marathon is at 7:00 a.m. sharp. The 5K begins at 8:05 a.m. and the 2K walk and keiki run begin at 8:15 a.m. All of the courses travel south from the Polo Beach parking lot, toward Makena.
The first place male and female in the Half Marathon and 5K will each receive a pass for a whalewatch cruise for four people. Age group medals and lei will be awarded for the first, second and third place winners in 5K and Half Marathon races. There will be a prize drawing for all runners at the finish.
The age groups for the Half Marathon are 19 and under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 and over. For the 2K, the age categories are 5 and under, 6-8 and 9-12. For the 5K, the age groups are 12 & under, 13-19,, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 and over. There will also be prizes for the best stroller rollers!
The entry fees are $35 for the Half Marathon, $25 for the 5K Run, $20 for the 2K Walk or Kids Run if you register in advance by February 7. If you register on the day of the race, the price increases by $5. To register online visit www.active.com or www.pacificwhale.org. The Run for the Whales is sponsored by Pacific Whale Foundation, Dowling Corporation, Runner's Paradise, Valley Isle Road Runners, Fairmont Kea Lani Hotel, Menehune Water, Tropical Seas Sunscreen, Maui County Recycling, USA Track & Field, Coconuts Catering and Hoenig Pottery Maui. For information, call Pacific Whale Foundation at 249-8811.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Maui's Parade of Whales
Celebrate the whales and the sea in this fun-filled parade! This hometown Kihei parade is at 9 a.m. on South Kihei Road, beginning at the Kihei Public Library (Waimahaihai Street) continuing south to Kalama Park. It’s the official kick-off to Pacific Whale Foundation's Whale Day Celebration! This year's theme is "Go Green, Help Save the Whales." The public is invited to watch -- or to participate. Families, friends, civic groups, school classes, musicians, dancers, gymnasts, horseback riders, bicyclists and others are invited! Prizes will be awarded for “Best Overall Act,” “Most Creative Individual,” “Most Creative Group,” “Best Foot Powered Entry” and “Most Eco-Friendly Entry." All parade entries (who sign up in advance) will be announced by an emcee by the Kalama Park whale statue. To learn more or to sign up, call Kara Johanssen, Pacific Whale Foundation's parade coordinator, at 856-8311 or email kara@pacificwhale.org.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Maui's Whale Day Celebration
Voted “Best Community Festival” by the Maui Time Reader’s Poll, Whale Day is Maui's largest and longest running festival of whales! Presented by Pacific Whale Foundation and Expedia Local Expert, Whale Day is a free, all-day celebration of Maui's humpback whales that takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Kalama Park (by the big whale statue) on South Kihei Road, Kihei. Whale Day features live entertainment all day, including performances by many of Hawaii’s most popular entertainers and Grammy award nominees, including John Cruz, Barefoot Natives, George Kahumoku Jr., Henry Kapono, Jasmine Trias, Vince Esquire and Marty Dread, plus special guest DJ Augie T. The day also includes a huge craft fair displaying the work of about 100 local artisans, tantalizing food booths by popular Maui restaurants, a fun-filled children's carnival, silent auction, and displays about environment and the whales. You can pick up some excellent bargains on golf packages, accommodations, restaurant meals and art at the Silent Auction. There's even a new "Green Living" area where you can learn about ways to minimize your impact on the environment. Free event parking and a free shuttle will be offered from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Hope Chapel (off the Piilani Highway at Welakahao Street). Proceeds from Whale Day will support marine science education programs for schoolchildren on Maui. Sponsored by Expedia Local Expert, Pacific Whale Foundation, KAOI Radio Group, Maui County Department of Parks and Recreation, Pacific Radio Group, HHawaii Media, Maui Net, Maui Today TV, Spectracolor Printing, Maui Ocean Center and others. To learn more, call Pacific Whale Foundation at 249-8811 or visit www.pacificwhale.org.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
The Keiki Whale-a-thon
Calling all kids -- come learn about the life of a migrating humpback whale through a fun-filled series of interactive stations provides children with the opportunity to learn about whales. Free, for kids in grades K-6. The first 150 participants receive a free admission pass to Maui Ocean Center. Offered from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Kalama Park, Kihei, during Pacific Whale Foundation's Whale Day Celebration. Sponsored by Pacific Whale Foundation's marine education team and Maui Ocean Center. To learn more, call Pacific Whale Foundation at 249-8811 or visit www.pacificwhale.org.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
The Wild & Wonderful Whale Regatta
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. - 4 p.m. The grand prize is free round-trip airfare for two to Maui from the U.S. Mainland. For entry forms, visit Pacific Whale Foundation’s Ocean Stores at 612 Front St., Lahaina or at The Harbor Shops at Ma’alaea or call 249-8811.
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Thursday, February 21, 2008
Free Talk and Slideshow
Greg Kaufman Presents Highlights of A Year with the Whales
Don't miss this annual talk and multimedia show by Pacific Whale Foundation President and Founder Greg Kaufman. 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 booksigning of Greg's books (Hawaii's Humpback Whales and 125 Fun Facts about Humpback Whales) will follow. For information, call 249-8811.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
The Great Whale Count
Count the whales that can be seen from Maui's shorelines and lookout points with whale researchers and other volunteers from across the country! Please volunteer for this annual count. Pacific Whale Foundation provides the tools and training. It’s a great way to meet others who share your interest in whales and to learn about whales and whale research. From 8 a.m. - noon. To volunteer, call Pacific Whale Foundation's Volunteer Coordinator Kelly Vough at 856-8320 or email kelly@pacificwhale.org.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
VIP Whalewatch with Pacific Whale Foundation President and Founder
As the final event of this year's Great Maui Whale Festival, join Pacific Whale Foundation President and Founder Greg Kaufman on a special two-hour whalewatch from Ma'alaea Harbor. Greg Kaufman will share insights and information on whales based on his 30 years of studying whales in the wild. Whale sightings are guaranteed -- or you go again FREE. This cruise departs at 12:30 pm aboard the smooth-riding, eco-friendly catamaran Ocean Odyssey. The cost is $49.95 for adults and $34.95 for children 7-12 years old. Children ages 6 and under go free. A book signing of Greg's books, "Hawaii's Humpback Whales" and "125 Fun Facts about Humpback Whales" will take place immediately after the whalewatch. Advance reservations required. Call 249-8811 ext. 1.
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. The whales are here from December through May, with the peak of the season occurring in February.
"The Great Maui Whale Festival includes something for everyone," says Anne Rillero, Communications Director at Pacific Whale Foundation, which has organized The Great Maui Whale Festival each year since 1999. "We've found that many visitors organize their vacations to coincide with it."
To learn more about any of these events, please call Pacific Whale Foundation at 249-8811. From the U.S. Mainland or neighbor islands, please call toll-free at 1-800-WHALE-1-1. Information can also be found at www.pacificwhale.org.
Daily:
Whales Exhibit at Pacific Whale Foundation's Discovery Center
Free admission. This exhibit features displays about Hawaii's humpback whales, along with a living tidepool display and movies about Hawaii's ocean environment. Enjoy the free film, "Why Whales Do That!" focusing on the behaviors of Hawaii's humpback whales. The Discovery Center is open from 9 a.m.to 4:30 p.m., at The Harbor Shops at Ma'alaea (next to Maui Ocean Center) on Route 30.
Daily:
Whale Information Station at McGregor Point Lookout
At the scenic overlook that is considered Maui's top shoreline whalewatching locations, you'll find a free Whale Information Station staffed by Pacific Whale Foundation's friendly and knowledgeable naturalists. Get expert tips on locating whales and current information on the most recent whale activity. You can check out the whale artifacts on display, pick up free color guides to watching Hawaii's whales and get expert answers to all of the questions you have about whales. There are even binoculars for you to borrow. A free public information service by Pacific Whale Foundation, this program is available daily from 8:30 a.m. to about 2 p.m. McGregor Point lookout is located on Route 30, the Honoapiilani Highway, between Maalaea and Lahaina.
Learn more...
About Pacific Whale Foundation
The Great Maui Whale Festival is sponsored by Pacific Whale Foundation. Established in 1980 as a nonprofit organization, Pacific Whale Foundation's mission is to promote appreciation, understanding and protection of whales, dolphins, coral reefs and our planet's oceans. This is accomplished by educating the public -- from a scientific perspective -- about the marine environment. Pacific Whale Foundation supports and conducts responsible marine research and address marine conservation issues in Hawaii and the Pacific. Through educational ecotours, Pacific Whale Foundation models and promotes sound ecotourism practices and responsible wildlife watching.
Website: www.pacificwhale.org
Anne Rillero
Communications Director
email: publicrelations@pacificwhale.org
phone: (808) 249-8811
Kelly Vough
Programs Director
kelly@pacificwhale.org
phone: (808) 249-8811
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