A humpback whale breaches south east of Lehua Rock, just off of Kaua’i, visible only by the passengers on Holo Holo. The whale may have been hiding from Saturday’s Marine Ocean Count coordinated by the National Humpback Whale Marine Sanctuary.
A humpback whale breaches south east of Lehua Rock, just off of Kaua’i, visible only by the passengers on Holo Holo. The whale may have been hiding from Saturday’s Marine Ocean Count coordinated by the National Humpback Whale Marine Sanctuary.
The groups got a lesson from Marine Ocean Count leaders in using a ruler to estimate the distance of a whale sighting using the horizon as a reference point. One group was situated at the Po’ipu Beach Park and had the services of Peter Dease who served as a public information officer to answer questions from curious visitors to the park. At the Ahukini Point Marine Ocean Count site on Saturday morning, Dolores and Byron Gourley, tracked a whale. Activity at this site was brisk as at least nine sightings were recorded in the first half hour of counting. Dolores was in charge of sightings while Byron’s task involved behavioral observations as well as taking readings on distance using a ruler and cardboard. There will be one more count for 2003 sponsored by the National Humpback Whale Marine Sanctuary.
Whale Sightings – Saturday, Feb. 22
8 a.m. through 12:15 p.m.
Location Average Sightings Total Sightings
Every 15 minutes
Lumaha’i Lookout 2 18
Princeville 5.4 49
Kilauea Lighthouse 6 54
Crater Hill East 4.3 39
Kapa’a Lookout 5.7 52
Ahukini Landing 6.6 60
Ninini Point 4.7 43
Maha’ulepu Haula 6.2 56
Maha’ulepu Makawehi 9.3 84
Makahuena 5.5 50
Po’ipu Beach Park 1.7 16
Kaiwa Pt. 0.8 8
Port Allen Cemetary 0.4 4
PMRF 2.6 24
