#HIHWNMS

New research reveals a daily pattern pattern for humpback whale songs which dominate the marine soundscape during the winter months off Maui. Researchers with the University of Hawai’i, in partnership with NOAA’s Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary found that whales move their singing away from shore throughout the day and return to the nearshore in the evening.

NOAA is investing $17 million from the Inflation Reduction Act to protect the visitor and community center of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary from the impacts of climate change, including upland flooding, powerful storms and sand inundation. The center is located along the shoreline of KIhei.

In the video, taken during field observations in February, the whales are seen swimming and diving, and at one point, the mother appears to be doing a headstand and drifting her tail out of the water.

Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary celebrates 13 years of whale rescues as the 2015 whale season comes to a close.