http://www.mauinews.com/page/content...71.html?nav=10

POSTED: October 21, 2009 KAHANA - A pod of humpback whales was spotted Tuesday morning off the coast of West Maui, the first reported sighting statewide marking the beginning of whale season, according to an official with the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.

John Reilly, 52, of Bend, Ore., said he saw a pod of about four whales while he was visiting the Kahana Ridge residence of his friend, Jim Troughton. After calling The Maui News, he reported the sighting to whale sanctuary officials.

Other reports of whale sightings also came in Tuesday.

Mahinahina resident Erin What was home for lunch at his Pacific Shores condominium, taking a break from his job at Sullivan Properties, when he saw "white foam splash remnants, spouts and a couple of tail slappings."

He said he couldn't determine the number of whales, but they were about 1 to 2 miles offshore, heading toward Lahaina.

Honokowai resident Kim Claus said she saw a whale much closer, about 150 to 200 yards offshore around noon Tuesday.

"There was a huge breach," she said. "So we got out our binoculars, and we watched for about five minutes."

Enjoying a day off from her job as office manager at Teralani Sailing, Claus said she called the company's boat captains and told them, "Heads up!"

She said she and a companion joked that the whale they saw was a male who had come early to Maui waters to prepare for mating season.

"We teased that that was the bachelor coming to set up the bachelor pad," Claus said.

She said she was excited to be among the first to see the early whale arrivals.

"Every year, it's a big thing to see them first," she said.

Last year, the first whale was spotted on Oct. 12, Miller said. Whales have been seen as early as September, but sanctuary officials did not have information on what year that happened, she said.

Humpback whales winter in Hawaiian waters from about the end of October and early November to the end of April and early May, Miller said.

The whales feed in Alaskan waters, and swim to Hawaii to spend the winter months mating, giving birth and caring for their young, she said.

Hooray! We're headed for the Big Island on Nov 8 for a week--so hope to see some while we're there.

Any suggestions on the best way/place/price to see them? Activities on the BI just seem incredibly expensive, and no deals seem to be offered, even in this economy!

This seems early for whales to me. I thought they came mid December, and even then not too many til January.

On the Big Island I see whales off the coast while driving from Kawaihae to Hawi. Often you'll see people pulled over to watch them.

Lapakahi, the state park, is a place I often go to whale watch, as well as two spots that are a little more remote: one at the end of Old Coast Guard Rd. which is known as a birthing site, and another is at Upolu Airport.

Take binoculars! (Or buy at Costco.)

ooooo.... seeing the whales is always an AWESOME sight! We saw them on our trip across the channel between Lanai and Maui - it was SO amazing!

If anyone is interested, I've got some of my whale (and dolphin) pics in this article here... the whale/dolphin pics are in the last half of the article:

http://www.paradise-found-in-maui.co...-of-lanai.html

Sheralyn:
Thank u for sharing great pictures! I am jealous . One of the main reasons I am going to Maui this year is to hopefully see the whales when I read that they had spotted them already I was soo happy. I will be there from 11/19-11/26, unfortunatly can't make it at the time tours starts which leads me to my next question where would be a good spot to see whales from land anywhere in Maui is good for me. Thank you

Sheralyn:
Thank u for sharing great pictures! I am jealous . One of the main reasons I am going to Maui this year is to hopefully see the whales when I read that they had spotted them already I was soo happy. I will be there from 11/19-11/26, unfortunatly can't make it at the time tours starts which leads me to my next question where would be a good spot to see whales from land anywhere in Maui is good for me. Thank you

One of the best spots is Macgregor Point, halfway or so between Lahaina and Ma'alaea. Bring your binoculars. The bay there is a good spot to see the babies learning to be whales from their mothers

Thank u. I will.

Can you guys make suggestions for where to stay on maui? I am looking into Nov 19- 26 as well-

Jill: Is whale watching a priority? What is your budget? One of the best areas to spot whales is Maalaea Bay. I like staying in oceanview condos there. It's a quiet area; certainly not a resort atmosphere. Very little nightlife, although I do enjoy the casual atmosphere at Beach Bums bar at the Harbor Shops area. Convenient for trips to Lahaina and Kihei, where there is more action. I prefer to rent from www.maalaeabay.com. You can put your dates in the online reservation system and see if anything comes up that meets your needs/desires.

Thank you - I did check out the web page and really looking to un-plug for a week or 2- so not having much nite life is not a worry for me- the beach, nature, snorking - would be very relaxing- and the whale sightings would be a HUGE bonus!