More than 1,900 humpbacks observed during second Sanctuary Ocean Count, Great Whale Count of 2026

Nearly 500 volunteers gathered Feb. 28 data on koholā, or humpback whales, from shores around the island.

Volunteers on Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, Molokaʻi and Hawai‘i islands as part of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Ocean Count as well as and Maui and Lānaʻi for the Great Whale Count by Pacific Whale Foundation during the second of three coordinated whale counts in 2026.

Data was collected from 46 sites throughout the main Hawaiian Islands.

A total of 1,935 whales were observed throughout all islands, down just 12 whales from February 2025.

The number also could represent duplicate sightings of the same whale by different observers or at different time periods or different locations throughout the day.

Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Ocean Count by the numbers for Feb. 28

• Kaua‘i: 337 whales observed.
• Hawai‘i Island: 244 whales observed.
• O’ahu: 288 whales observed.
• Moloka’i: 166 whales observed.

Great Whale Count by the numbers for Feb. 28

• Maui: 847 whales observed.
• Lānaʻi: 53 whales observed.

A total of 256 whales were observed during the 9:30 to 9:45 a.m. period, the most of any time period throughout the day’s count.

Data collected during the Sanctuary Ocean Count and Great Whale Count combined with other research efforts can help reveal trends in humpback whale occurrence during whale seasons.

Weather conditions were nearly perfect for observing whales the day of the count, with sunny clear skies, light winds and calm seas.

Viewing conditions for the volunteer citizen scientists counting were impacted during the last hour of the count at a few sites because of rain, increased winds and clouds.

Other species spotted during the count

• Honu (green sea turtles).
• Mālolo (flying fish).
• Naiʻa (spinner dolphins).
• Multiple bird species such as koaʻe ʻula (red-tailed tropicbird), ʻiwa (great frigatebird), mōlī (Laysan albatross), noio kōhā (brown noddy), kōlea (Pacific golden-plover) and more.

Ocean Count promotes public awareness about humpback whales and shore-based whale watching opportunities.

Volunteers tally humpback whale sightings and document their surface behavior during the survey, providing a snapshot of humpback whale activity. Ocean Count is supported by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation.

The Great Whale Count by Pacific Whale Foundation had site leaders count whales from shore as part of a long-term survey of humpback whales in Hawaiʻi, with 12 survey sites along the shoreline of Maui and one site on the shoreline of Lānaʻi.

This event provides a snapshot of trends in relative abundance of whales and is one of the world’s longest-running community science projects.

Both counts take place three times during peak whale season each year on the last Saturday in January, February and March.

Preliminary data detailing Sanctuary Ocean Count whale sightings by site location are available at the Sanctuary Ocean County website. Additional information is available on the marine sanctuary’s website.

This year marks the Sanctuary Ocean Count’s 30th anniversary. Learn more online.

Pacific Whale Foundation’s Great Whale Count data can be found at the Pacific Whale Foundation website, with additional information here.

Pacific Whale Foundation celebrates 45 years of research, education and conservation this year. Get online to learn more about the week celebration.