- Boat Surveys:

Our boats are moored just outside Lahaina Harbor on the west coast of Maui. The boat research focuses on the whales in the waters of the Au'Au channel and the Kalohi and Pailolo channels in what is commonly referred to as the "four-island" region. This region covers the waters between the islands of Maui, Molokai, Lanai, and Kahoolawe. These waters are relatively sheltered from the predominant northeast trade winds and generally range from 75 to 78 degrees F. Each morning, the boats are loaded with equipment and personnel at Lahaina Harbor. Once we leave the harbor, each team member scans a different sector off the boat for whale blows or surface activities.

TDI boat crew on a "full-boat-watch" for whales

The individual that sights a pod notes its position to the boat driver who motors in that direction. When the pod is located and approached, the staff ready cameras, and participants keep track of the whales and begin recording data such as pod composition, whether a calf is present, GPS location data, direction of travel and behavioral activities. After an initial determination of pod composition, the driver will begin assigning temporary names to the whales based on the unique shapes or markings on their dorsal fins.

Capturing a digital image of the whale's tail (its "fingerprint) as it dives

As named whales dive new data is recorded including the frame numbers of individual fluke photographs, the temporary names assigned each whale, and dive times and locations. Dive time and respiration data may also be recorded on Palm VII Pilots.

Recording whale photo-id and behavioral data aboard Kohola II

In addition to these data, skin samples for genetic analysis may be obtained from individual whales by TDI trained staff using a biopsy technique. If the pod is stationary or traveling slowly, a TDI experienced staff member may be deployed to snorkel at the surface and record on video the underwater behavior and social interactions of the whales in conjunction with any vocalizations they produce. If the whales turn ventral side up, the snorkeler may also determine sex. For those whales that cannot be sexed visually, the biopsy samples can be used to determine gender. While the snorkeler obtains lateral images of a whale, he/she may also use a hand-held depth finder to measure the distance from camera to whale and record this measurement on the video. These data will later be uploaded to our laboratory computers in order to measure the body lengths of individual whales using a technique developed by TDI researchers called "videogrammetry". If the whale is a singer, the snorkeler will record the entire length of song. Meanwhile, the staff and participants aboard the boat will deploy a hydrophone off the side of the boat to listen to the song and follow its themes. Groups of whales are observed for varying lengths of time, depending on a number of factors, including the social dynamics of the group and weather conditions. Typically, each group is observed for one to four hours, though on occasion groups may be tracked for an entire day. At around noon, the boat crew takes a break to enjoy sack lunches and perhaps a cool swim break.

- Shore Surveys:

The shore team operates from a hill adjacent to the small Kapalua airport overlooking the waters of the Pailolo Channel between Maui and Molokai. Here, the shore team can conduct scan samples to collect data on the relative distribution, abundance, and activity levels of humpback whales across time.  Intermittent focal observations can also be carried out on a single pod close to shore in efforts to understand how the pod’s behavior is affected by other pods in the vicinity, or by human activity.  The shore team can also coordinate with the boat team to collect detailed behavioral data on pods.

Shore-station crew conducts scan sample for whales seen off Kapalua

An electronic theodolite (Sokkia DT5) is used to track the movements of whales and vessels from shore.  A theodolite measures horizontal and vertical angles to the object of interest.  With the theodolite at a known elevation and location, the angles can be converted to positional information, expressed in terms of latitude and longitude. A laptop computer is used to record data in real time. The theodolite is connected to the computer with a serial cable that allows the computer operator to upload position data.  These positions are plotted on a map of the area in the cetacean-tracking program Cyclopes 2004. The program is also able to derive the speed and direction of movement of whales or vessels from a series of positions over time.

·      Scan Samples

The scan sample is a controlled and systematic technique for obtaining a “snapshot” of whale distribution, abundance, and activity levels at a given point in time. An observer systematically scans the research area for a predetermined time, and the following data are recorded for each pod seen: pod composition, location, orientation, and activity level. The data collected in scan samples will be used to investigate both diurnal trends and trends throughout the season. To allow scan samples to be compared reliably, it is important to ensure consistency of observer effort. Consequently, one staff member will act as scan observer, while a second staff member will operate the theodolite to obtain precise positional information. Participants will operate the field computer and upload whale positions onto the electronic map.

·      Tests of the Electronic Whale Spotter Boat Alert Mapping System

During a portion of the season, we will conduct tests of a shore-station whale spotter boat alert mapping system developed by TDI researchers in collaboation with Verizon Hawaii and Pacific Direct Connect to assist boats in locating whales in real-time and help them avoid ship strikes, a growing concern in Hawaii's waters.  On each “trial,” the shore station will conduct a scan sample of the whales in the area and develop an electronic map of the whale locations that can be accessed by the boat wirelessly. The boat navigator will observe the map and plot a safe course around the located whales. As the boat traverses the Pailolo channel, the shore crew scans in front of the boat for new whale sightings and updates the map accordingly. The boat is also tracked on the map at regular intervals. The overall goal is to examine how well the boat does in avoiding the whales by using the map compared with boat spotters alone. 

Participants will rotate positions between entering data into the field computer, and both timing the scan and recording the data on paper.  No prior computer experience is necessary.

- Fluke Matching:

TDI's archive of humpback whale fluke photographs dates back to 1976 and is one of the largest catalogs of individually identified whales in the world. It consists of over 20,000 photographs of more than 4400 individually-identified whales. Fluke matching takes place at our Maui field house and is an invaluable part of the research effort. It has resulted in scientific research publications on whale migratory habits, reproductive strategies, habitat use, and residency patterns. Participants assigned to fluke matching will compare recently taken fluke photographs to those already in the TDI catalogue, attempting to find pictures that match and thus adding new information to the life history of known whales. Participants may also match whale photographs taken within the same season to each other to discover trends in times of residency and migration. In addition to matching, participants with special computer skills may be recruited to help our team scan and digitize older negatives from our whale fluke catalog.

Processing flukes photographs for printing and matching

Weekly Schedule

Day 1 (Monday): Staff members will meet participants at the Kahului airport on the island of Maui at 6:00 p.m. Participants will be picked up and driven to the research field house where you will settle in and enjoy a home cooked dinner by the staff at about 7:30 p.m. Following dinner, there will be a brief welcoming/orientation lecture about the project, the staff, the research, house logistics, and plans for the following day.  After the lecture, participants are free to relax, get acquainted with other team members, settle in, or catch up on lost sleep.

Day 2 :  (Tuesday, Team Training) Two or three staff members will spend the morning familiarizing participants with research equipment, protocols, and task assignments.  Teaching workshops will be held on whale sighting techniques from the boat and recording humpback whale behavior.  In the afternoon, we will go out into the field for a half-day of research data collection.  Some participants may be familiarized with the operation of the shore station, others with the research boat.  In the evening after dinner, participants will enjoy a lecture on the ecology and natural history of humpback whales.

Days 3-7 (Wednesday - Sunday): Most of these are full research days, weather permitting. Lectures and review of daily whale videotapes typically follow dinner in the evenings. One of these days (likely Friday) may be a data processing and analysis day where all staff and participants focus on data at our field house.

Day 8:  (Monday) Monday is a day off.  You may wish to rent a car and visit some of Maui's spectacular scenic sites. Take advantage of snorkeling, scuba diving, hiking, or simply relaxing on one of Maui's beautiful beaches. 

Days 9-11 (Tues - Thurs):      These are full research days, weather permitting. Lectures and video-tape viewing occur in the evenings.

Day 12 (Friday): The workday will end a little earlier than normal to prepare for an Aloha team dinner at a local restaurant.  Each person will cover his or her own meal costs.  Dinner may be followed by an evening out in town to celebrate a successful team effort.

Day 13 (Saturday): Participants and staff clean and overhaul team residence to restore it to its pre-team condition for the next group of participants.  All participants should plan to depart the team residence by 12:00 noon.  Participants will be driven to the airport together to either catch their plane or to pick up a rental car if they are extending their stay on the island.[1]

Staff and Participants enjoy a farewell "Aloha-Team" dinner at a local restaurant

Daily Schedule

0630: Wake up, eat breakfast and make lunches.  Pack up personal and research gear.

0730:  Boat- and shore-station teams leave the house for the harbor (to prepare the research boat) and shore station (to conduct observations and scans for the whales).  The fluke matching team begins comparing photographs of whales at the house.

0815: The research boat exits the harbor and begins looking for whales.  Radio contact is maintained periodically between the boat and shore station throughout the day on days when shore station is running.

1200: Lunch is eaten opportunistically.

1700: Boat and shore crews rendezvous at Lahaina harbor, the equipment is rinsed and loaded into the van, and a lovely sunset is enjoyed during the return home. 

1730:  Boat and shore crews arrive at home and together, with the fluke matching crew, everyone begins cleaning equipment, organizing and storing data, writing daily logs, and cooking dinner. 

1900: Dinner is enjoyed together while eveyone shares their day's adventures.

2000: Free time, educational lecture or video.  Plans are made for the following day’s activities.