Public Awareness and Educational Outreach Efforts
The Hawaii Whale Research Foundation's (HWRF) primary research activity is long-term exploration of the social affiliation of humpback whales. In addition, the HWRF makes strong efforts to promote public awareness of the plight of humpback whales and their environment.
It is difficult to prove that one's activities are of direct benefit to the ocean and the animals that inhabit it. Nevertheless, the HWRF's researchers feel that their broad efforts to educate the public about humpbacks and what they can do to improve whale / human coexistence are of significant benefit to both the whales and to their environment.
It is important to note two facts about the HWRF that make it unique among whale research organizations:
  • HWRF's founder and research director, Dan R. Salden, Ph.D., is physically present in the field to oversee data collection.
  • The HWRF staff, composed of highly skilled and professional individuals, is entirely volunteer. HWRF is possibly the only significant whale research organization in Hawaii that does not have an "internship" program, a potentially substantial source of funding, because we believe that it would interfere with our research efforts. In addition to Dr. Salden (past professor and chairman of the Department of Speech Communication at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville), other doctorate level staff are Harrison A. Stubbs, Ph.D. (biostatistical consultant and consultant faculty at the University of California, Berkeley) and Linda Silvers, D.V.M (U.S. Centers for Disease Control). 3-time Olympian Matt Biondi, an internationally recognized cetacean spokesman, contributes his water skills as research videographer. The HWRF research vessel is driven by Coast Guard - licensed commercial captains, headed by Jill Mickelsen and Jeff Kalbach, each of whom work in Hawaiian waters year round.
Training. Since 1987, HWRF has periodically held classroom and field training sessions prior to the beginning of whale watching season in Hawaii (January through April), instructing commercial whale watch boat captains in boat handling and observation techniques that minimize impact to the whales. In addition HWRF trains other cetacean research groups in conducting field research.
Publications. HWRF's research results are formally published in refereed (scientific) journals. A list of available publications can be found here.
Educational and Public Awareness Presentations
  • To the general public. For the last three years, HWRF researchers have hosted weekly presentations about whale migration and courtship behavior in Maui during whale season there. These meetings are free to the public and well attended.
  • To school groups. Particular emphasis on elementary children. Illinois, California, Hawaii.
  • To universities. Many presentations at major universities over the last 17 years.
  • To conservation and environmental organizations. Dr. Dan Salden has made many presentations to such groups as the Audobon Society and the Sierra Club.
  • To civic organizations. Rotary clubs, Chamber of Commerce meetings, senior citizens groups.
  • To recreational groups. Boating clubs, scuba diving clubs.
  • To public museums and aquariums.
  • Distribution of free guides describing humpback whale characteristics and behavior, through whale watching operations in Lahaina and via mail.
Broadcast Programs
  • Hawaii's Humpbacks, Pacific Voyagers (1995, John Dobovan producer). A 50-minute educational documentary about Hawaii's whales for general broadcast, cable broadcast in Maui, commercial airline in-flight screening, and home video. HWRF provided topside and underwater Hawaiian humpback video sequences.
  • Hawaii's Humpback Whales (1994). Produced by station KITV Honolulu in conjunction with Earthtrust. A half-hour program for general broadcast, seen also by most of Hawaii's public schools. HWRF provided all underwater humpback video sequences.
  • HWRF and Olympic swimmer and Japanese television personality Mikako Kotani have collaborated to produce three educational documentary programs about Hawaiian and Japanese humpback whales, aired in Japan and the United States in conjunction with the Tokyo Broadcasting System. One Million Years of Evolution (2 hours), Amazing Animals: Mystery of the Sea (30 minutes), Amazing Animals: Alaskan Humpbacks (30 minutes).
  • Forthcoming one-hour Discover Channel educational documentary program. HWRF is providing principal topside and underwater Hawaiian humpback video sequences.
  • ProSieben TV (Germany), Die Reporter, The Critter-Cam Projects, 1996.
Domestic and International Academic and Scientific Presentations
  • Sea World Symposium, San Diego (February 95). Humpback whale social affiliation (Dr. Salden).
  • 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Annual Celebration of Whales, Maui (1993, 1994, 1995, 1996). Humpback whale social affiliation and the cow/calf nurturing process, featured presentations by Dr. Salden.
  • 4th and 5th International Conferences of Dolphins and Whales (Brussels, 1996, Ogasawara, Japan, 1994). Invited presentations by Dr. Salden.
  • Eighth, Ninth, Tenth and Eleventh Biennial Conferences of the Marine Mammal Society (California, 1989, Illinois, 1991, Galveston, Texas, 1993, Orlando, Florida, 1995). Presented papers by Dr. Salden.
  • Animal Behavior Society annual meetings (Canada 92, North Carolina 91, New York 90).
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