Free public lectures and multimedia presentations by marine mammal researcher Mark Deakos, on the past, present and future of Hawai‘i’s humpback whales, are scheduled for Tuesday at Waimea Public Library, and Wednesday at the Koloa Public/School Library. Both events begin
Free public lectures and multimedia presentations by marine mammal researcher Mark Deakos, on the past, present and future of Hawai‘i’s humpback whales, are scheduled for Tuesday at Waimea Public Library, and Wednesday at the Koloa Public/School Library.
Both events begin at 6:30 p.m., according to a press release.
The lecture will touch on current understanding of the biology and behavior of humpback whales, and the methods used to learn about and protect them.
His lecture will include a special update on the large, multi-national study of humpback whales in the north Pacific, called SPLASH (Structure of Populations, Levels of Abundance and Status of Humpbacks).
Deakos is the researcher in charge of the Kaua‘i portion of SPLASH, and is on the island this month conducting field research.
Among the goals of SPLASH researchers is to gather valuable information on the health and genetic diversity of humpback whales.
These lectures are sponsored by officials at the Waimea Public Library, the Koloa Public/School Library, the Hawaii Association for Marine Education and Research, and the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.
Call the Waimea Public Library at 338-6848, or the Koloa Public/School Library at 742-8455, at least seven days in advance of the lecture, if you need a sign-language interpreter or other special accommodations.