Happy Aloha Friday! The first humpback whale of the 2022-2023 Season was spotted in South Maui, about a mile off of Cove Park in Kīhei on Wednesday, Sept. 14, at around 10 a.m.  September is early for a humpback to be in Hawai’i but not unheard of.  The last September sightings were recorded in 1999 and 2000. Historically the majority of first sightings have been in the months of October and November.

According to the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, scientists estimate that as many as 12,000 humpback whales migrate from their feeding grounds off Alaska to breed, calve, and nurse their young in the warm waters of Hawai‘i.

Humpback whale season in Hawai‘i typically runs from November through May, with the greatest abundance reported between January and March.

Have a great weekend – Aloha!