Pacific Whale Foundation's Facts

The humpback whale is the fifth largest of the world's great whales. Distinct populations of humpback whales are found in each of the world's oceans. Newborn calves, weighing an average of 1.5 tons, range from 10 to 16 feet in length. Males may reach 43 feet in length, while females are slightly larger, averaging 45 feet. A mature humpback weighs up to one ton per foot, or about 85,000 - 90,000 pounds.

Researchers believe humpbacks live approximately 40 - 60 years, grayish-black in color, humpback whales have white markings that are distinct to each individual. A whale swims by moving its tail or fins up and down (fish move their tails from side to side).

The flippers or pectoral fins, located on each side of the whale, are used to turn and steer. These fins are actually modified forelimbs, with a bone structure similar to that of the human hand and arm. Humpback whales breathe through a double blowhole located on top of their head.

A Humpback's head has tubercles (fleshy knobs) along the upper and lower jaws. Each turbercle has a single hair and is believed to enhance sensory ability. Expandable ventral throat pleats increase the capacity of the mouth during feeding.

The humpback's scientific name, Megaptera novaeangliae ("Great Wings of New England") refers to its huge fifteen-foot pectoral fins. The name "hump-back" coined by whalers, probably resulted from the appearance of the arching of the caudal peduncle while diving, coupled with the prominent dorsal fin.

In Hawaii, the word kohola refers to the general category of whale; there is no specific name for humpback.

Copyright 1998 Pacific Whale Foundation

Atlantis Submarine, Maui Ocean Center, Tropical Plantation and Sugar Cane Train ride.

Atlantis Submarine Adventure

Explore nature's deepest treasures below the ocean's surface. The complete journey is described on top of this page.

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TRILOGY Discover Molokini

Sail with Trilogy to snorkel spectacular Molokini Crater, voted the #1 activity on Maui. Then sail to a 2nd dive site for more snorkeling in Maui's underwater wonderland. Trilogy will thrill you with speed sailing and pamper you with delicious food and drink. Scuba Diving is available!

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Helicopter Tours

CHOOSE FROM 3 DIFFERENT HELICOPTER TOURS! See the cliffs of Molokai, explore the West Maui Mountains. Enjoy spectacular waterfalls and the majesty of Haleakala Crater. So much of Maui is accessible only by air. Don't miss this opportunity!

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Maui Ocean Center Admission

Experience the largest aquarium in America! Maui Ocean Center houses more marine life than most of us are aware exists. Enjoy the sharks!

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Sugar Cane Train Ride

Climb aboard and take a ride back in time. If you are interested in the history of the sugar cane industry, this is the ride to choo-choo-choose.

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Maui Tropical Plantation

Discover Hawaii's rich agricultural heritage. Take a tram ride, enjoy the beautiful flowers and more.

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MAUI FACTS

The "Valley Isle" produces sugar, pineapple, cattle, horses. The 10,023-foot Haleakala is the largest dormant volcano crater in the world. Lahaina was Hawaii's capital before 1845, and still has some of the atmosphere of an old whaling town. Nearby are the Kaanapali and Wailea resort areas and golf courses. Hana and Iao Valley draw many visitors.

BIOLOGY Maui has a wide variety of plant and animal life. Many species are rare and endangered including the Nene Goose (the official state bird) and the Humpback Whale (the official state marine mammal). Vegetation zones include: coastal, dryland forest, mixed open forest, rain forest, subalpine and alpine.

CLIMATE Maui's average temperature range and annual rainfall varies by locale:

• Hana 71.3 - 76.8(°F) - aver. 69 inches
  
• Haleakala 42.6 - 50.0(°F) - aver. 44 inches
  
• Kihei 70.9 - 78.4(°F) - aver. 13 inches
  
• Lahaina 71.5 - 78.0(°F) - aver. 15 inches

• Kahului Airport Average Temperature:
  
  • Jan. - Feb. 71.5(°F)
    
  • Aug. - Sept . 79.2(°F)
    

CULTURAL HISTORY Maui is a multi-cultural society with major immigration from:

• Polynesia - 700 A.D.
  
• United States - 1820
  
• China - 1852
  
• Japan - 1868
  
• Portugal - 1878
  
• Puerto Rico - 1900
  
• Korea - 1903
  
• Philippines - 1906
  

ECONOMY Hawaii's cost of living is one of America's highest, its per capita personal income below average. In fact, Hawaii's cost of living for a family of four is estimated to be approximately 27% higher than the U.S. average for a comparable standard of living. In 1999, Hawaii's average per capita personal income of $27,544 was 3.5% below the U.S. average - the price of living in Paradise!

The State of Hawaii's major sources of annual income include:

• Tourism - $10.3 billion (1999)*
  Federal Defense Spending - $4.2 billion(1999)
  
• Sugar - $133.1 million (1998)
  
• Pineapple - $145.1 million (1998)
  

* Tourism annual income figures are deceptive, since a percentage of tourism dollars do not remain in the Islands, but are returned to overseas investors.

The 1990's has been the worst decade in Hawaii's economic history since World War II due, in large measure, to the decline in tourism from the East and the demise of the sugar and pineapple industries. To meet the challenges of the 21st Century, Hawaii is working to diversify its economy with a focus on industries such as science and technology, health and wellness tourism, diversified agriculture, ocean research and development, and film and television production.

EDUCATION Maui County:

• K-12 students (1999): 21,655
  
• Public schools (1995): 29
  
• Private schools (1993): 15
  
• Maui Community College - part of the University of Hawaii System.
  

GEOGRAPHY Maui County includes the islands of Maui (the Valley Isle, 727.3 square miles with 120 miles of coastline), Molokai (the Friendly Isle, 260 square miles), Lanai (formerly known as the Pineapple Isle, 140.6 square miles) and Kahoolawe (the uninhabited Forbidden Isle, 44.6 square miles, formerly used as a bombing practice range by the U.S. Navy and Air Force, it is now being restored and revegetated).

Maui is:

• located in Polynesia
  
• near the center of the Pacific Ocean
  
• just below the Tropic of Cancer
  
• one of the most remote spots on Earth
  
• 2,300 miles west of California
  
• the second largest of the 8 main Hawaiian islands
  

GEOLOGY Maui (the second youngest island in the Hawaiian chain) is made up of two volcanoes: East Maui's Haleakala (the world's largest dormant volcano); and the extinct Puu Kukui caldera (the West Maui Mountains). Both erupted many years ago and erosion over the years joined them into one island, giving Maui its nickname the Valley Isle.

GOVERNMENT In Maui County, as throughout the State, there are no separate municipal governments. Maui County has an elected mayor with a four-year term (two-term limit) and a nine-member council with two-year terms.

HEALTH Practices (1998) Maui County (includes Molokai & Lanai): 231 Doctors, 75 Dentists, 854 Nurses and 69 Pharmacists.

OFFICIAL COLORS AND FLOWERS

POPULATION Maui County had a resident population of 121,997 in 1999.

In 1999, Maui County's ethnic groups roughly broke down as follows:

Unmixed (except Hawaiian): 67,614 (56.49%)

• Caucasian - 33,187 (27.73%)
  
• Japanese - 15,914 (13.30%)
  
• Filipino - 16,606 (13.87%)
  
• Chinese - 1,040 (0.87%)
  
• Black - 176 (0.15%)
  
• Korean - 249 (0.21%)
  
• Samoan/Tongan - 442 (0.37%)
  

Mixed (except Hawaiian) - 25,725 (21.49%)
Hawaiian/Part Hawaiian - 26,349 (22.01%)

TOURISM Maui County had approximately 2.4 million visitors in 1999.

Data Source: DBEDT