Sanctuary urges safety with mother/calf humpback whale pairs in Hawaii waters
Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary reports numerous mother/calf pairs in Hawaii waters. Ocean users are reminded to reduce their speed and keep a safe and legal distance around whales.
Humpback whale season in Hawaii generally runs from November through May, although whales may be encountered in limited numbers during other months. Thousands of humpback whales return to Hawaii waters each year to breed, give birth, and nurse their young.
Revised recommendations for best boating practices around whales, developed jointly by the sanctuary, the State of Hawaii, and Pacific Whale Foundation, can be found at: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dobor/boating-with-whales/
If you see an injured or entangled marine mammal, keep a safe and legal distance and call the statewide NOAA Marine Wildlife Hotline at (888) 256-9840 or the U.S. Coast Guard on VHF channel 16 immediately.
To report a vessel coming too close to a whale, call the NOAA Fisheries Enforcement Hotline at (800) 853-1964, email respectwildlife@noaa.gov, or contact your local DOCARE office by phone, email, or on the DLNRTip app,
“Ocean users play an important role by helping monitor humpback whales in the sanctuary and nearby waters,” said Ed Lyman, Natural Resource Specialist, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. “By locating distressed animals, reporting and providing initial documentation and assessment of the animal— from a safe and legal distance—-ocean users act like first responders and are the foundation of our conservation efforts.”
^
HFS offers $37,500 in college scholarships
Applications for the HFS Scholarship Program are now being accepted. The program is open to current Big Island high school seniors in the graduating class of 2023, and to existing college students.
Student members of HFS pursuing higher education full-time at an accredited two- or four-year vocational-technical school, college or university in the 2023-2024 academic year are eligible to apply.
Recipients will be selected based on a variety of criteria, including academic performance, achievements and community service.
The credit union has increased the number of scholarships that will be awarded for a total of $37,500 to selected students.
Ten Big Island high school seniors and five college students will be awarded scholarships of $2,500 each.
So far, over $200,000 in scholarships have been awarded to more than 80 recipients. Previous recipients have gone on to study in fields such as education, law, nursing, automotive mechanics, fire science, art and more.
For a complete list of requirements and to apply, students may visit hfsfcu.org or inquire with their high school counselors. Completed applications with supporting documents must be submitted online no later than Feb. 28.
^
To submit an announcement to be shared in this section, email calendar@westhawaiitoday.com at least two weeks ahead of an event or required registration date. All submissions will be edited for content, style and parity treatment. Submit an Island Life photo, by emailing the image along with your name and a brief description to islandlife@westhawaiitoday.com.