
Whale Watching
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Whale Watching in Hawaii
Adult males range from 40 to 52 feet and can weigh up to 45 tons. Despite their size, humpback whales are graceful acrobats. Keep your eye on the ocean and you might see one breach, propelling up to 40 percent of its body out of the water and landing on its side with a spectacular splash.
Cultural Significance of Whales in Hawaii
Whales have great cultural significance for Native Hawaiians. They play a large role in Hawaiian legend—including one creation story—and appear in ancient petroglyphs on several islands. The return of the kohola (humpback whale) is considered more of a homecoming than a visit. Humpback whales are born in Hawaiian waters, making them kamaaina (native born). Some Native Hawaiians also believe the whales are aumakua (family guardians), so these gentle giants are treated with great respect.
What's the Best Way to See Whales?
Although humpback whales can be seen from all of the Hawaiian Islands, the shallow Auau Channel between Maui, Molokai and Lanai is one of the best whale-watching destinations in the world. You may also spot kohola from the southern shores of Oahu, especially at Makapuu Lighthouse and along the seaside overlooks near Leahi (Diamond Head).
Kauai offers a range of whale-viewing opportunities, including Poipu Beach on the South Shore, Kilauea Lighthouse on the North Shore and Kapaa Overlook on the island’s Coconut Coast.
On the island of Hawaii, whales are often seen along the shores of the Kohala Coast, as well as Hilo Bay on the east side of the island. The Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site is another great viewing spot, with its sweeping, elevated views near Kawaihae Harbor. In fact, Puukohola literally means “hill of the whale” in Hawaiian.
Boat tours may be your best option for viewing whales up close. Hawaii has dozens of tour operators, including a few that lead kayak excursions—a thrilling way to experience these majestic mammals.
In respect for the kohola and the safety of sightseers, all watercraft must stay a minimum of 100 yards from the whales, but you'll be surprised how close you feel when a 45-ton behemoth lunges out of the sea. If a boat tour is not for you, the whales’ impressive acrobatic displays are often visible from miles away. If you're on land, keep a pair of binoculars handy because you never know when you'll see a humpback’s spout (which can be 10–20 feet tall).
Whale Watching in Hawaii
Pounders is a farm fresh island style restaurant serving fresh produce from island farms, Hawaii-raised grass-fed beef, locally caught seafood, savory delights from the Pacific Rim, and unique Hawaiian-style pizzas in their kiawe-fired brick oven imported from Napoli.
Local favorite ramen chain restaurants! For over 12 years, we server ramen noodles and rice bowls in five major malls in Hawaii. Every pot of our soup is made in-house and cooked for more than 20 hours before serving. We don't use concentrate!
At Leonard’s Bakery, our baker’s are working around the clock, creating delicious treats. Malasadas are always fresh and ready to be devoured. The Pao Doce sweetbread loaves are baked daily. Visit our flagship store at 933 Kapahulu Avenue.
At Lappert's Hawaii, we make everything by hand from scratch using only the finest ingredients. From our five retail stores to our wholesale to High-end restaurants state-wide, we are proud to be part of Hawaii's community for over 30 years.
This beautiful, casual dining restaurant is perfect for a leisurely breakfast or informal lunch or dinner, great family dining. Bountiful buffets are offered daily. Located in the Rainbow Tower.
STRIPSTEAK Waikiki, located on the 3rd floor of the International Market Place, is a new genre of modern steakhouse by James Beard Award-winning Chef Michael Mina and is the first restaurant in the State of Hawaii to be named 'America's 100 Best Wine Restaurants 2018' by Wine Enthusiast Magazine.
Our Waikiki restaurant offers daily breakfast buffets. In the evening, the oceanfront location features Modern American small plates with local ingredients seven nights a week and a special dinner buffet Friday-Sunday.
We are a PADI 5 Star Resort Center offering beginner to advanced SCUBA diving charters seven days a week at two locations on Oahu, Hawaii Kai and in Waikiki near Kewalo Basin Boat Harbor. We offer complimentary roundtrip transportation to and from Waikiki and Honolulu Hotels.
Exquisite Neoclassic French Cuisine in an elegant oceanfront setting. Celebrated as Halekulani's finest and Hawaii's longest, consecutively ranked AAA Five Diamond Restaurant & only Forbes Five Star Restaurant, this consummate dining experience is unmatched.
Waiolu Ocean Cuisine offers a seafood dinner menu from 6pm-10:30pm daily. Enjoy seafood items as well as fresh sushi including traditional nigiri & new wave maki sushi. Daily Happy Hour specials. The restaurant is also open for lunch from 11am-6pm. Comp 4-hr valet parking. Call 808.683.7456.

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