PRINCEVILLE — So, what is a “blob” of hot ocean water, and how does it impact humpback whales in Hawaii?
PRINCEVILLE — So, what is a “blob” of hot ocean water, and how does it impact humpback whales in Hawaii?
A press release from the Friends of Kauai Wildlife Refuge said the Hawaiian Archipelago is the largest breeding and calving area for humpback whales in the North Pacific.
The release also stated that the population of humpback whales in Hawaii has increased steadily in the decades since the international ban on whaling.
That is, until a huge “blob” of hot ocean water formed in the eastern North Pacific in 2015.
A multi-media presentation on Tuesday by Jean Souza, the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary program specialist, as well as the on-site manager for Kauai Ocean Discovery located at the Kukui Grove Center, will present insights into the immense and lingering impacts of the “blob” on the Hawaii subpopulation, and on many recent Hawaii-based humpback whale research findings.
The presentation is part of the Princeville Moolelo series and will take place from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Princeville Community Center located near the Princeville Public Library at 4334 Emmalani Drive. The presentation will also be available through Zoom. Access the link at www.fkwr.org.
The Friends of Kauai Wildlife Refuges is partnering with the Princeville at Hanalei Community Association Events Committee to present the Princeville Moolelo series. Together, the partnership are presenting free informative “talk story” events each month in the Princeville Community Center to share the work and stories of conservation partners, Hawaiian cultural practitioners and more.
For more information, visit the Friends of Kauai Wildlife Refuges website at www.kauairefuges.org.
