With a few mysterious deaths of Hawaiian monk seals on Molokai still unsolved, the fate of these huge and gentle creatures seems darker than ever. “Today, Hawaiian monk seals are endangered and, although many protection efforts are in place, their numbers are believed to have fallen more than ten percent per year since 1989,” says National Geographic. Here’s a chance for you to hear the latest monk seal news from Hawaii Wildlife Fund biologist Hannah Bernard, NOAA Monk Seal Response Team member Nicole Davis and Monk Seal Foundation member Pat Wardell. Free. 6pm-7:30pm. Pacific Whale Foundation’s Discovery Center (lower level, Maalaea Harbor Shops); 808-249-8811 ext.1

Photo: Kent Blackman/Wikimedia Commons

THIS WEEK’S PICKS

FISH YOU WERE HERE

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THU., NOV. 17 – Hold onto your skull, this counterintuitive statistic will blow your mind: 75 percent of all seafood in Hawaii is bought in from elsewhere. To help answer the question of whether our own waters can meet the demand of our resident and visitor populations, the Pacific Whale Foundation hosts a panel discussion called “Pole or Plane? Sustainable Seafood in Hawaii.” Presenters include Sheila Bowman, senior manager of outreach and education at Monterey Bay Aquarium (discussing their Seafood Watch program), Donn Wakamatsu of Whole Foods (which offers ecologically certified seafood bearing the “Fish Forever” label), and Chad Yokouchi of Maui Fresh Fish, LLC (a local open-ocean aquaculture project). Free. 6-7:30pm. Pacific Whale Foundation Discovery Center (Ma’alaea Harbor Shops, Honoapiilani Hwy.), 856-8322; pacificwhale.org

Popular Hawaiian musicians set the mood, featuring Marty Dread, Cecilio, Kapono, Na Leo Pilimehana, Anuhea, George Kahumoku Jr., and John Cruz.  What else do we make in Hawaii besides good music? Ono food. Maui restaurants will offer up their fare, alongside a silent auction and a tent city of local artisans displaying, selling, and sharing their latest projects and wares.  Whale day has also developed a new, tech-savy side, and will be the go-to location for a “tweet-up,” – a meeting for twitter users who have become friends via twitter.com.

Of course, there are loads of ways for Keiki to enjoy themselves too, including lots of children’s activites, a

 skateboarding competition, the Wild and Wonderful Whale Regata, and educational booths about whales and the environment.  There are prizes to be won too, including a round-trip flight for two to the mainland and back.  At the heart of this event is a fundraiser for Keiki; proceeds will fund marine education programs for Maui schoolchildren.  

And don’t stress about the parking. Free parking will be available with to-and-from shuttle bus service from Hope chapel and Azeka Place Mauka Shopping Center.  Handicapped parking is in the lot facing Kalama park. So no excuses… drop by and visit the whales, it’s certainly easier than digging out all the gifts your returning relatives ever gave you and placing them strategically around the house. By: Sierra Brown

Save the Whales!

Saturday, February 6th, The Pacific Whale Foundation is holding Maui’s 2010 Run For the Whales at Maalaea.  The Run will start at the Makena Beach & Golf Restort, and continue throughMakena and Wailea.  “It’s a benefit for the marine education programs that Pacific Whale Foundation offers for Maui schoolchildren.” There are a few different events that will be hosted:

Half Marathon: Begins at 6:30 AM (be there a half-hour before hand.) Electronically Timed (ankle bracelet timing chips). $38 registration fee on or before February 5. $42 after February 5. Free race t-shirt, and post-race breakfast included. Leis and medals will be awarded to the  top finishers of each age group.  The winners will be award to tickets for a Pacific Whale Foundation Whalewatch Eco-Adventure. Age Categories: 19 and under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 and over.

5K Race: Begins at 7:30 AM (be there a half-hour before hand.) Electronically Timed (ankle bracelet timing chips). $30 registration fee on or before February 5. $35 after February 5. Free race t-shirt, and post-race breakfast included.  Leis and medals will be awarded to the top finishers of each age group. The winners will be award to tickets for a Pacific Whale Foundation Whalewatch Eco-Adventure. Age Categories: 19 and under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 and over.

5K Walk:Begins at 7:30 AM (be there a half-hour before hand.) $25 registration fee on or before February 5. $30 after February 5. Free race t-shirt, and post-race breakfast included.  All ages.

Kids 2K Run: Begins at 8 AM (be there a half-hour before hand.) $20 registration fee on or before February 5. $25 after February 5.  Free race t-shirt, and post-race breakfast included. The winners will be awarded medals. Age groups: 5 & under, 6-8, 9-12.

Just Breakfast: Friends and family of participants can purchase post-race breakfast tickets for $7 each. Call 808-249-8811 by February 3.

To Volunteer: Call PacificWhale Foundation’s Volunteer Coordinator Kelly Vough at (8080) 244-8392 or email kelly@pacificwhale.org.

Free Parking at the Wailea Event Parking Lot. Shuttle service to starting line will be available, beginning at 5:30 AM.

Register at active.com, mauiwhalefestival.org, by visiting the Pacific Whale Foundation Harbor shops, or call (808) 249-8811 or 1-800-942-5311 ext. 1. (Is that enough options for you?)

The Maui 2010 Run for Whales is part of The Maui Whale Festival (here are some of the other events):

Watching Whales, Saving Whales Symposium (Saturday, February 13)

Keiki Eco-Day (Friday, February 19)

Laugh @ da Park (Friday, February 19)

Maui’s Parade of Whales (Saturday, February 20)

Whale Day Celebration (Saturday, February 20)

The Great Whale Count (Saturday, February 27).

For more information about the Maui Whale Festival, please call (808) 249-8811 or visit www.mauiwhalefestival.org.

By: Sierra Brown

8am (8.6mile race) Start

This year’s Turkey Trot for Fun was another repeat success, as runners from around the island  and world challenged themselves to accurately guess their race times.  113 registered runners sprinted off the starting line early Thanksgiving morning, and over $1000 was raised to benefit Maui’s Food Bank.  In addition to entry fees, 254lbs of canned goods was collected for the Foodbank.  Race organizer Cathy Fitzpatrick (Valley Isle Road Runners) was overjoyed at response from race participants and funds raised for Maui’s Foodbank.

If your interested in getting more involved with Valley Isle Road Runners, be advised that VIRR’s executive board elections will take place on 12/12/2009 after the annual “Christmas 5k & 10K Race”

Click here for the Turkey Trot photo gallery

Out of town runners- Marti Law of Hong Kong (left); Sarah Law of New York (right)

Proceeds from this year’s silent auction which featured a myriad of generous donations from local businesses will also be

1st Place – David Scibor

2nd Place – Bob Lash

3rd Place – Graeme Roche

1st Place David Scibor (left); 2nd Place Bob Lash (right)

3rd Place- Graeme Roche