Whale Quest Kapalua 2010 Canceled
We regret to announce that we have been informed by the Kapalua Land Company that they are not able to go forward with hosting Whale Quest in 2010 due to the economic challenges facing them at the moment. The Ritz-Carlton is in a similarly difficult situation. We are obviously disappointed that we will not be able to go forward with this event in 2010, that has been so successful, and such a benefit for the community as well as to the research groups. We are hopeful that Kapalua will be able to host the event in 2011, and will be exploring additional opportunities for the future. In the meantime, a sincere thank you to everyone who has supported the event over the last four years, especially Kapalua and the Ritz-Carlton.
Visit our What’s New page to read about the future of Whale Quest and how you can help.
Whale Quest Kapalua 2009 a HUGE SUCCESS!
Whale Quest Kapalua was indeed another unforgettable event with a lineup of speakers from around the world. This year’s presenters took standing room only audiences on a journey into the underwater world of whales, to the frontlines of research and the many conservation challenges facing whales today.
As always, Whale Quest Kapalua had a little something for everyone, including free presentations by world renown researchers and cinematographers, a sold-out charity golf tournament, education and art expo featuring artists and non-profits from around the world, a free educational program for Maui’s schools, daily whale watches and interactive educational activities for children led by Jean Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment program on Saturday and Sunday. The Ambassadors of the Environment program hosted over 200 children over the weekend and was a fabulous addition to the event.
On Friday, over 100 fifth grade students from several elementary schools on the West side kicked off the event with a day full of learning and exploration. In addition to honing their artistic skills by painting natural markings on life-sized whale tails, students also practiced their research skills by matching whale tails from Alaska and Hawaii, tracking radio telemetry devices used on entangled whales, and learning from Dr. Bruce Mate about his latest adventures tracking blue whales with satellite tags around the Pacific Ocean. All children received a complimentary Chico reusable bag, so they could practice the art of conservation at home.
The number of people attending Whale Quest continues to grow each year. This year, Kapalua estimates that nearly 7,000 people showed up to participate in this weekend long event. Despite challenging economic times, Whale Quest Kapalua still raised approximately $60,000 for whale research, bringing the total to nearly $250,000 raised to support whale research over the last four years since the event first started.
The annual event benefits a number of local research organizations. While the primary beneficiaries remain Whale Trust, Center for Whale Studies, and Hawaii Whale Research Foundation, each year other participating research organizations are awarded research honorariums. In 2009, The Dolphin Institute, Hawaii Marine Mammal Consortium, and the Marine Mammal Institute at Oregon State University all received research honorariums to support their ongoing work with marine mammals.
Whale Trust and Whale Quest Kapalua Connect Students in Hawaii and Alaska
In addition to our ongoing outreach into Maui’s schools, we added an additional component to the education program for Whale Quest Kapalua 2009. Whale Trust initiated a collaborative arts and education project to help connect schools from Hawaii and Alaska through humpback whales. Students participating in the project spent 5 months researching humpback whales, which included speakers from the scientific community coming to their classrooms, and sharing their learning experiences with each other through a blog (see below). The students gathered primary sources on whales in their communities, wrote reports, created plays, made DVD’s of their experience, and created a traveling mural of whale art that was unveiled at Whale Quest.
During this project, the schools linked via a blog site on the Whale Trust website sharing questions, comments, insights and observations of their own. This has added another dimension to the project creating a deeper understanding and connection with the environment and whales and linking the two cultures connected by these migratory giants.
We would like to thank the Alaska coordinator, Liz Stahl, who spent many, many hours working with the teachers and students to make this happen. Our thanks also to the teachers at Pomaika`i Elementary, Donelle Bancaco, Krys Kawamura, Margaret Tobita, and Rae Takemoto on Maui who supported us with their enthusiasm and time to make this project happen. A huge Mahalo to the students at both schools, Harborview Elementary in Alaska and Pomaika`i Elementary on Maui for the incredible job they did on the project. Thank you all!
The mural will travel to Alaska in the Spring to be shown at a variety of venues thanks to Liz Stahls’ efforts.
Local Whale Watch Companies Support Whale Quest Kapalua
From Friday February 13th – Monday February 16th, several of Maui’s boat companies came together to donate whale-watching trips to benefit Whale Quest Kapalua.
Those who registered for one of Whale Quest Kapalua’s two-hour whalewatches were able to observe the humpback whales in their natural habitat led by one of the Whale Quest Kapalua presenters. Despite a very windy weekend, those who went out on the boats had a great time.
We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the following whale watch companies that donated their boats for our daily whale watch excursions to benefit Whale Quest Kapalua.
Captain Steve’s Rafting
Maui Adventure Cruises
Ocean Rafting
Prince Kuhio
Teralani Sailing Adventures
Ultimate Rafting Maui
Art for Conservation – Artists Come Together to Support Whale Trust and Whale Quest Kapalua
Randy Puckett
This year, Randy Puckett unveiled two new sculptures to benefit whale research on Maui at the fourth annual Whale Quest Kapalua. The latest sculptures featured a pair of humpbacks, entitled THE DANCE and a group of dolphins, entitled PLAY TIME.
As always, Randy generously donated 50% of the cost of the sculpture during the event to Whale Quest Kapalua and we thank him for his support. This year, we raised over $10,000 in sales from Randy’s sculptures. Thank you, Randy and Gail!
Special Offer
Randy has also extended a special offer to Whale Trust supporters and friends. Between now and July 1, 2009, Randy will offer his sculptures for nearly 50% of its retail value, provided you make a contribution to Whale Trust for the majority of the difference.
|
Douglas Hoffman
Douglas Hoffman has a new project, Art For Conservation, which has the goal of raising money to support non-profit organizations that are studying and protecting whales and dolphins around the world. In respect of marine mammal laws, Douglas only photographs whales in areas such as, Tonga, where it is legal to swim with whales.
Visit his website to see available portraits and for details.
In respect of marine mammal laws, Douglas only photographs whales in areas such as, Tonga, where it is legal to swim with whales.
Sponsors For This Year's Event:
Whale Trust, Center for Whale Studies and Hawaii Whale Research Foundation
Would like to thank the following for their support of the
2008 Whale Quest Kapalua
Host SponsorsMaui Land & Pineapple, Inc. Kapalua Land Company, Ltd. SponsorsJean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment Center National Geographic Expeditions National Car Rental The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua Educational SupportersArtisan Woodworking Studio Atlantis Adventures Mark II (Mala, An Ocean Tavern) Chico Bag Company Marmac Ace Hardware, Lahaina Maui Tacos Whale Watching CompaniesCaptain Steve's Rafting Adventures Maui Adventure Cruises Ocean Rafting Prince Kuhio Teralani Sailing Adventures Ultimate Rafting Maui SpeakersJim Darling, Ph.D. Mark Ferrari Chris Gabriele Bruce Mate, Ph.D. Dave Matilla Flip Nicklin Adam Pack, Ph.D. Hugh Pearson Adam Ravetch Patricio Robles Gil Dan R. Salden, Ph.D. Brian Skerry Jonathan Stern, Ph.D. Jason Sturgis Featured ArtistsWhales of Randy Puckett Douglas Hoffman Designs Educational SpeakersStephanie Olsen, Whale Trust Sherrie Reeve, Artist Renee Warr, Whale Trust Jason Sturgis, Whale Trust Jim Peckarsky, Center For Whale Studies Ed Lyman, (HHWNMS) Nat. Marine Sanctuary Peggy Stap, Marine Life Studies Bruce Mate, OSU Flip Nicklin, Whale Trust DonorsPhyllis Balto Susan Wallace Barnes Beverly and Rudolf Bernardino Carl and Joann Bianco Benjamin J. Berry, MD Richard Bowen Richard and Valerie Brigma Donna L. Brown Wayne Leroy Cober Karyn and Pat Cochran Terry Cottington Margo Cutler Jane Duwe Friends of the Humpback Whale Rick Girvin Donna and Robert Gladden Mary Gridley H.J. Hamenick Don and Aleta Hamilton James Harvey Jeff Herbst James Holm Neva Johnson Allen and Ann Jones Melody Jones Lahaina Restoration Foundation Eugene and Deloris Lang Linda Love and Michael Williams Kati Martini Irene and Barry McPhee Dr. Patrick and Patricia Muffler Charles and Linda Nicklin Christine A. O’Connell Susan Parkinson Donald and Deana Powell Anita Reith Robin Reith and Angel Guzman Patti and Floyd Rollefstad Joseph and Gloria Soltis Sandi and Earl Stoner Matt Villano Garry and Donna Weber Jane and William White Kim Willis Susan Wilts Exhibitors and OrganizationsAmbassadors of the Environment Brian Skerry Photography Center for Whale Studies HI Islands Humpback Whale Nat. Marine Sanctuary Hawaii Whale Research Foundation Maui Marine Mammal Response Program Maui Ocean Center Maui Photography Ocean Blue Education R.B. Co Woodworks & More Studio Art Gallery The Dolphin Institute The Whalesong Project Tonga National Humpback Sanctuary Whales of Randy Puckett Whale Trust
|
Golf ParticipantsBonnie Ancog Dave and Bodil Anderson Ben Baldwin Ed Barton Robert Book Jim & Jennifer Brumbaugh Gary Bush Karyn Cochran Dino Cordova Sharon Dalquist Paul Dyer Tom Glesne Teresa Gosshom Tom and Carol Hodges Christian Jorgensen Paul Kemper Ryan Kwolek Wes Lo Woody MacLaren Paul Mancini Pete Milbourn Mike Morris Fred Murrell Dean Otto Paul Petersen Phylecia Platte Marty and Karen Quill Lee Reiswig Henry and Sandy Rice Jack Riley Thomas Rosenquist Rick Sands Roy Sakamoto Rob Shelton Barry Shitamoto Kent Smith Rick Smith Terry Smith Jim St. John Earl & Sandi Stoner Tony Takitani Gunars and JoRene Valkirs Duey Vigneax Janis Von Thaden Dave Williams Steve Williams Dan Wittern VolunteersRyan Arakaki (Boy Scout Troop 25) Gwen Arkin Susan Wallace Barnes Jessica Beneteau Tobie Blair (Boy Scout Troop 25) Gerry Brown Donna Brown Jan and George Buckmaster Mary Caye & Jeff Carlson Frannie Coopersmith Kristen and Derek DeCrausaz Dick “Tator” Dunhaupt Sue Dunswell Leanna Even Mimi Fay Agamit Gal Tom Glesne Povi Gonzales Doug and Kathy Gray Mary Gridley Patti Hackney Tracey Harap Brandon Hauser Alastair Hebard Ken and Eva Held Debra Herring Bob Hogan Mike Jones Winifred Kehl Tyler and Robin Korte Ron and Sue Leinweber Sonia Levitt Rick Long Cindy Luckey Jill Mickelson Amy Miller Randy Miller Brittany Neizman Dan O’Hanlon (Boy Scout Troop 25) Nathan O’Hanlon (Boy Scout Troop 25) Sean O’Hanlon (Boy Scout Troop 25) Stephanie Olsen Jim Peckarsky Rod Quigley Bob Ragains Sherri Reeve Kirsty Richards Floyd and Patti Rollefstad Diane and Ron Roos Janna Schlag Tanya Shober Joyce Scott Gloria and Skip Snyder Liz Stahl Peggy and Dick Stap Connie Sutherland Tiffany Thomas Stephanie Turner Renee Warr Donna Weber Dave and Donna Werner Participating SchoolsHarborview Elementary King Kamehameha III Elementary Maui Preparatory Academy Pomaika`i Elementary |
[ Back to top ]