Pygmy Killer Whale Mystery Unravels

The saga of the Pygmy Whales my brother spotted of the coast of Kihei several weeks back continued and has seemingly come to a fatal end.

One of the whales in the pod of 5 was recently euthanized as it stranded on McGregor’s Beach. Bystanders pushed the whale back into the water, but it didn’t recover. After having been transported back to the NOAA whale sanctuary in Kihei, it was given a Hawaiian prayer ceremony and was put to death. A CAT scan confirmed that the whale had severe pneumonia and was basically just a very old male.

KITV4 one of the island TV Stations reported about this. Read the entire article on the Maui Pygmy Killer whales here.

What has really excited marine mammal scientists is that this Maui sighting has shed light on the otherwise elusive and unstudied Pygmy whales. What this incident showed is that the pod will stick with a distressed or diseased member, even to the point of venturing far from their comfort zone of deep open ocean waters.

In a way, it mimics human behavior. As family (and extended family when you marry your sweetheart) we will stay with an ailing member, often to the very last breath. That’s what these Pygmy whales did, up until the final moments when he beached himself at McGregors.

E hoÊ»omaha me ka maluhia (rest in peace) old Pygmy Killer Whale visitor. We’ll miss seeing you around.

Aloha,
Stephan

PYGMY KILLER WHALE SIGHTINGS MAP

View Maui Pygmy Killer Whale Sightings in a larger map

Thomas Encounters Pygmy Killer Whales While Standup Paddling in Kihei

You start getting the idea that we here at Live Maui Webcasts and Video are quite adventurous folk! A few days ago, one of our  producers, Thomas, went out for an early morning (6:30AM!) standup paddle in North Kihei.

When he got back home, he was so excited, it prompted me to ask, “what’s up? Why the excitement?” I mean, last week he encountered and swam with a pod of spinner dolphins, the day before he SUP-ed with a bunch of turtles, so what was it going to be this time?

“I have no idea what I saw out there today, but they must have been some kind of melon head whales or something! I was right next to them! A little freaky, but so amazing at the same time!”

He did some frantic research the next few days and just today, lo and behold came across this article in the Honolulu Adviser.

Advertiser Staff

KIHEI, Maui — Members of the Marine Mammal Stranding Network were standing by at Mai Poina Oe Iau Beach Park today to keep an eye on a pod of seven or so pygmy killer whales that was lingering unusually close to shore.

read the entire article here.

That just goes to show you, when you decide to have your wedding or honeymoon on Maui, you never really know what magical things you might encounter! Imagine spotting a mammal that scientists have never really been able to study because of their remote nature! Of course, we hope they are not distressed and will find their way back to deeper waters.

That’s Maui for you. Whether it’s discovering the perfect Mai Tai, learning about Hawaiian Culture at a Luau or exploring this one of a kind ecosystem, you’ll find something that will change your life forever! We look forward to seeing you here!

Stephan is known as the “Live Webcast Guy on Maui” and is the author of “59 Maui Wedding Secrets Revealed: The Essential Guide to Planning Your Perfect Maui Wedding.” Visit his blog and sign up free to get the latest information on live webcasts in Hawaii. Go to http://LiveMauiWebcasts.com Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/stephanboeker

Maui Wedding Video and Webcast at the Hyatt Regency Maui

If you are looking for a beautiful, yet hoppin’ spot to have your Maui wedding, then the Kaanapali Beach Resorts — especially the Hyatt Regency Maui — are for you. Near Lahaina town on the west side of Maui, this area boasts a close density of resorts and hotels, as well as sweeping views of Lana’i and Kaanapali Beach, rated best beach in many travel magazines in the past.

And unlike remote spots on Maui, Kaanapali Beach and the Hyatt Regency Maui have great internet signal for live webcasts and amazing resort backdrops for your maui wedding video.

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These pictures were taken from my Blackberry as I consulted with Kim Lemont, wedding manager at the Hyatt. These pictures are of the 3 main areas to have your ceremony.

On my brief visit here, this are some of the great things I saw about the Hyatt:

• a lot of dining options with great views;
• a large pool with a lot of room around it to lounge;
• a great beach;
• a lot of “nightlife” and tourist attractions, from luau’s to Lahaina’s restaurants, it’s all here;
• close proximity to the west sides natural splendors from Honolua Bay to the Olevine pools and the blow hole that goes off during the fall, winter, and spring north swell.

My only negative from my first impression here would be for those who are seeking an off-the-beaten-trail Maui wedding or vacation, you will not find it here. Every possible amenity is offered here.

To consult with the Hyatt Regency wedding department, contact…

Kim Lemont
Wedding and Catering Manager
808.667.4485
klemont@hyatt.com

Tell her Stephan at Live Maui Webcasts and Video sent you and let her know you want us to do your webcast and video.

Aloha!

	Stephan is known as the “Live Webcast Guy on Maui” and is the author of “59 Maui Wedding Secrets Revealed: The Essential Guide to Planning Your Perfect Maui Wedding.” Visit his blog and sign up free to get the latest information on live webcasts in Hawaii. Go to http://LiveMauiWebcasts.com Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/stephanboeker

For Adventurous Couples Only: A Grueling Maui Hike

I realize that most wedding couples and their guests do not come to Maui to hike their butts off. 16 muscle-cramping miles down a volcano is not their idea of a good time. And that’s OK.

Then there is that select masochist few like yours truly who’s idea of a good time is to hit the trails…

Yesterday a friend and I went on a grueling Maui hike that started up at the very summit of Haleakala and went down the Skyline Trail on the south ridge of the active-dormant volcano ending up in Poli Poli State Forest.

It’s a day hike that totals about 16 miles through arid martian landscape above the clouds with views in all directions (big island to the south east, Kaho’olave to the south west, Lanai and Molokai to the west, down

to grass lands, back up through piping hot lava fields, gulches, herds of mountain goats, feral pigs burrowing in the dirt, mystical (and misty) forests, singing birds, charred forests (from a forest fire several years ago), new growth forests (the little saplings growing from the ashes), and on and on.

Budget about 7-8 hours of hiking with several breaks.

Things to wear or pack in a day backpack:

1. sunscreen (high SPF!)
2. 2 liters of water per person
3. 2 or more trail bars per person
4. 2 sandwiches per person
5. t-shirt
6. a rain jacket (I had a GoreTex jacket with me)
7. cell phone (there is reception) so you can communicate with your pickup ride in Poli Poli.

Ask your ride to drive up to the top of WaiPoli Road at the hunter’s check-in station.

Trails to stay on (and do yourself a favor and STAY ON THE TRAILS):

• On top of Haleakala walk down the service road towards science city (where the telescopes are);
• Take the Skyline trail down until you see signs for Mamane Trail (pronounced Mah-mah-nay).
• Take that Mamane trail down until you hit the natural lava cave.
• Take Upper Waiakoa Loop for 6.3 miles until you hit the Upper Waiakoa Loop sign.
• Head to the hunter’s check-in station.

Have fun and be safe! Here are pictures from our grinding, arduous trek.

Aloha and I am looking forward to meeting you soon on Maui (whether at your wedding or on a hike together!).

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Stephan is known as the “Live Webcast Guy on Maui” and is the author of “59 Maui Wedding Secrets Revealed: The Essential Guide to Planning Your Perfect Maui Wedding.” Visit his blog and sign up free to get the latest information on live webcasts in Hawaii. Go to http://LiveMauiWebcasts.com Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/stephanboeker