Humpback whales are educational, cultural and economic pillars in Hawai‘i.
Each year, humpback whales travel across the Pacific to our pristine waters to mate and give birth to their calves. Since 2018, the Marine Mammal Research Program (MMRP) at the University of Hawai‘i has been using innovative technologies like drones and tags to study the health and behavior of whales here in Hawai‘i and on their Alaskan feeding grounds. We have collected the world’s largest humpback whale health database, with ~40% of Hawai‘i/Alaska whales sampled. Our research is vital to mitigate the three main threats faced by whales in Hawai‘i – entanglement in fishing gear, ship strikes and climate change.
The MMRP plays a critical role in marine mammal research, education, and management, and in ensuring these majestic mammals continue to thrive in Hawai‘i’s waters – and beyond.
Please support the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology in maintaining this large-scale effort that is crucial for informing policy makers on the effects of human activities and climate change on these ocean sentinels and ecosystem health.
