The whales are here!!!!

[Stodelle]

Now before you all go thinking I've gone gay, or earth-hugging friendly, I want to point out that when the whales come, they have babies. When they have babies, the Tiger sharks have new food sources in the babies and the afterbirth. Since the babies are all born far offshore, the sharks head to the deeper water to feed.

While it doesn't mean there will be NO shark attacks, it has been proven that during whale season shark sitings go down dramatically here in the Lanai, Molokai, Maui area since this is where the whale reserve is, and where the whales congregate.

First whale was spotted here off Maui on Saturday Oct 23rd. They should be in town until April.

[Sheri]

That's an interesting fact, but sort of gross....about eating after-birth. Do you ever see the whales in the water when you're diving? I could hear them in the water when I was there last year. It's a weird, kind of eerie sound.

[Stodelle]

On the West side of Maui (Kaanapali resort area), the whales come really close to shore as they swim through the channel between maui and Molokai. When I was about 14 I had one swim past me and it scared the crap out of me.

I kind of find it a bit annoying freediving when the whales are here because the sound resonates so loudly that you can't help but turn around to see if the whale is right there! A minor complaint though as I love whale season....no more pesky jet skis screaming overhead or parasails clouding the skies !!!

[Sheri]

I kept looking over my shoulder too when I heard them, it was so loud.

OK, wanna see something amazing? Daryl Wong actually did have an up close and personal encounter with two whales that swam up to them and stayed with them for an hour. He was able to get his camera, and they made many passes. Check this out! Who's looking at who???

[Stodelle]

It's funny because Daryl just emailed me the 2 pictures the other day and I was almost going to post them, but didn't know if it would be okay.

His other picture with the 2 whales from the rear is really impressive, although I'd be afraid having them surrounding me like that.

I should point out that no one should jump in the water to swim with the whales for a couple reasons. If they swim up to you, that is one thing, but for you to jump in, it is illegal.

Also, we do get Orcas and false killers that come to feed here as well. They will swim on the outskirts of the whales and will come in to feed on babies. They will climb on top of them to prevent them from surfacing and getting air, and then feast.

A few years ago, a Pacific Whale Foundation boat was doing a whale watching tour when they came upon a newborn calf. As the narrator is describing the magical moment and how it is so rare to witness, a huge Tiger came up and killed the baby in front of the tour boat. Can you believe that people actually complained about the violence and how they were appalled? Sorry folks, it's nature, and nature will do what it must to survive!

Since we will grunt and croak to call fish in, I wonder if I do the Finding Nemo "Whale Talk" if that can call whales in?!?!?!

[datamunk]

i would PAY to wath a tiger shark eat a baby whale... i think whales are cool, but i think seein nature at its best is awesome...

[Sheri]

Daryl did mention that it's illegal to jump in on them, but these two whales swam into the divers and stayed with them....very unusual behavior. I don't think I'd be jumping on top of anything that big anyway. I'm uncomfortable hanging around something that has a mouth bigger than my car.

I wouldn't be making those Dory whale sounds if I were you. One of those big tigers might mistake you for a baby. Sharks are not "your friends". Loved that movie!

I did see a nature show where killer whales were relentlessly following a baby whale, while the mother was trying to keep up with the migrating pack. She couldn't keep them off the baby anymore and they did just what you described....drowned it and ate it. Just about tore my heart out. Nature is incredibly cruel...beautiful and cruel.

[fishkilla]

what's shot placement on a humpback? line or freeshaft?

[Stodelle]

Definitely freeshafting! there are stories of people being knocked senseless from the tail slaps, and boats being capsized. I wouldn't want a pissed off monster charging me.

Hey, maybe they finally found a use for the SUPERGUN!!!

http://rocknfish.com/Beetle.jpg

____________________

You can read about the SUPERGUN here: http://www.rocknfish.com/Supergun.html

[Stodelle]

It is officially whale season. I work at the Maui Ocean Center and the Pacific Whale People were talking about 5 sightings today.

[bakayaro666]

Sean,

You wanna go out and spear tuesday? I'm off and I got the morning free.
I'll PM you

Cheers
Baka

[biggsy]

That's an awesome pic!

[normanhghntr]

check out some more this ones my favorite!!

[spearboy321]

I hate you guys!!!

You are so lucky. I like whales allot. I go to Aston Kaanapoli almost every year and I have seen them really really close to shore. It used to scare me hearing the whales cuz they sound like they are right underneath you. Those are some cool pictures.

[Stodelle]

Next time you head this way, shoot me an email or PM and we can hook up. Always love taking out visitors.

[spearboy321]

I will most likely take that up. We normally go either around February or Spring Break which is April 11. I noramlly go for ten days and get stuck around the hotel which is very borring escpecially last year when it rained and there is a stream right next to it and all your red dirt.