Day 10 - Lana'i

We are still based in Lahaina on Maui but this morning we took a boat trip to Lana'i with an outfitter called Trilogy. The trip was so well planned and the crew was amazing. They really took care of everyone.

We met up at the marina at 9:45a. Our boat was late departing because the sunrise trip was delayed returning due to whales. It appears as if the whales have the right of way in Hawaii. Lana'i is about 14 miles away port-to-port and the trip took us about an hour and a half. As we motored from Maui to Lana'i we saw dozens of whales and a school of spinner dolphins and lots of flying fish (they were blue and looked like giant dragonflies and they skimmed along the water for an impressive distance).

When we got to Manele Bay we got on a raft and jetted around the island. I was excited when we saw a sea turtle but then we got a whale show. We saw several whales breach as well as a baby one. It is so amazing that these animals can propel themselves out of water. Our guide told us it only takes them two swishes of their tail to get them airborne. Think of the power -- they weigh 40 tons and it only takes the back and forth of their tail to thrust them out of the water and into the air.

At sunset, the whale show continued as we sailed back to Maui. We saw one whale slowly dive down and show us its entire tail. It wasn't a little flip of the tail, it was showing of its fluke. we also saw several pairs of mother and calf humpbacks. The babies have little sprays when they exhale through their blow hole. The guide told us that the mother often lifts the baby with her fin so the two of them can stay together. He also said that the mother's milk is as thick as cottage cheese and that the little one ton baby gains about five pounds an hour. I read online that the mother's milk is 50% fat. The babies are only 12-14 feet long whereas mature whales are 39-52.

We were intending to go to Gallery Night in Lahaina tonight but we are beat.

Tomorrow we brave the road to Hana.


Mother's highlight: The boat trip. The crew were very accommodating. It was nice to take a tour into the city of Lana'i and hear the history of the island.

Julia's highlight: Today was a lovely day. I enjoyed all the time on the boat. It was also very exciting to see the whales. We got quite a show today.