Under the sea, around Hawaii – new digital maps

The Feds at NOAA have created a set of digital maps of the nearshore waters around the Hawaiian Islands. See the influence that a fresh water stream has on a coral reef. See where coral reefs are and are not. NOAA calls them “shallow-water benthic habitats.” Easier to call them coral maps. These shallow areas are where the Humpback Whales like to recreate in Hawaii.The maps can be found at:  http://ccma.nos.noaa.gov/products/biogeography/hawaii_cd_07/startup.html 

Japan’s research whaling a total shibai

How stupid do they take us to be? Japanese research whaling of Humbpacks in the Antartic is starting up again along with “research whaling” of minke whales and fin whales. The meat from the murdered research animals will be sold commercially. Disgusting is the only word I can think of. Maybe we should inform every Japanese tourist going on whale-watching cruises in Hawaii and elsewhere just how disturbing their country’s research whaling really is. What a shibai!

Hawaii Superferry to become party boat

This just in.

Despite the Judge’s negative ruling on Superferry operations, the Hawaii Superferry on October 27th, will be the stage for the Closing Night Party for the 27th Annual Hawaii International Film Festival. From 9pm to Midnight popular film actors and producers in the pacific, and their fans, will be aboard the Alakai, pier-side at pier 19, to celebrate the film festivals success and experience the luxury of the Alakai.

Maybe they’ll also rig the boat up for charter fishing and become a real party boat! They can take their politician buddies out for some real bottom fishing. Sorry, fishing for whales will not be allowed.

NOAA finds humpbacks in Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument

Humpback whales were found wintering in waters further north than known before. NOAA scientists found humpbacks in shallow water areas of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument (aks Northwest Hawaiian Islands) for the first time. This past March, small calves were seen by NOAA scientists accompanying some whales, as well as breeding behaviors (humping humpbacks and attendent loud sounds of very happy whales). This finding documents a significant (possibly new) area being used by the whales to go forth and multiply. It’s also siginificant in that the reserve will allow the whales to do this in a nearly undisturbed area. No damn boatloads of tourists in whale watching boats harassing the whales up there!