Every year, Pacific Whale Foundation puts on the Maui Whale Festival, a series of events throughout the month of February to celebrate and educate about the marine animal they have been working for the past 40 years to protect – the humpback whale. There are plenty of fun and educational activities for your keiki to get enjoy!
Run & Walk for Whales
Saturday, February 1 • 7am–11am • Ma‘alaea
This a great physical activity that the entire family can participate in, including babes in strollers! Choose between several mostly level, easy-to-follow courses with beautiful scenic views of both the ocean and mountains – 1 mile, 5K, 10K, or 10 mile. Post-race activities include awards, music by Marty Dread, and a discounted whalewatch.
Whale Day and Parade of Whales
Saturday, February 8 • 9am–3pm • Kamaole Beach 1 to Kalama Park, Kihei
This year, PWF has partnered with Whale Trust, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary and Division of Aquatic Resources, DLNR to bring back the famous Whale Day and Parade! You and your keiki can watch the parade as it travels from Kamaole 1 to Kalama, where the free Whale Day activities will be taking place, beginning at 10am. Explore Hawaiian culture with hula performances from halaus across Maui Nui, visit local non-profits and play games that teach about their organization’s work, enjoy a performance by the Banana Slug String Band, race your whale in the Wild & Wonderful Whale Regatta for prizes, and, in the keiki zone, find more games related to science and marine life, a DJ with interactive games, bubble machine, and hula lessons!
Keiki Concert Cruises
Sunday, February 9 & Saturday, February 15 • Ma‘alaea Harbor
Keiki cruise for free with an adult (1 FREE keiki with every paying adult) on these special concert cruises, featuring the Banana Slug String Band Sunday, February 9 and Uncle Wayne & The Howling Dog Band Saturday, February 15. Let your keiki rock out to music created just for them!
World Whale Film Festival
Friday, February 14 • 7pm–10pm • Historic ‘Iao Theater, Wailuku
Your high schooler might just be inspired by a night out filled with powerful films about ocean and wildlife conservation around the world, with one submission made by students their own age. Grab some delicious food from one of our invited vendors and make this a dinner and a show you won’t soon forget.
Great Whale Count
Saturday, February 29 & Saturday, March 28 • 8am–12pm
Encourage your child (middle schooler and up recommended) to participate in scientific research as a citizen scientist. Volunteers count whales at 12 survey sites along the shoreline of Maui as part of a long-term survey of humpback whales in Hawaii that provides the PWF Research department with a snapshot of trends in relative abundance of whales. Visit https://www.mauiwhalefestival.org/greatwhalecount for more information.
For more information, visit mauiwhaleday.org.
