Aloha! After arriving in Maui in July of 2009, I took a job working for the Lahaina Cruise Company. At the time I began by working as a dock agent, but I quickly moved to working as crew on the boats. Once December came around, this meant I was able to work as a whale watch narrater.
I didn’t know anything about whales when I was asked to start speaking on these tours, but I figured it out as I went. I have since officially become obsessed with finding “kohola” (Hawaiian for humpback whale) each time we venture out in search of them. I have now been to see our marine friends in Alaska during the summer of 2011 and returned with an increased enthusiasm for these beloved creatures when I began working as a naturalist for Trilogy Excursions.
I am both excited and anxious as I now enter my fifth whale season here in Hawaii and could not be happier to have the chance to share my experiences with you!
A hui hou!
hi katie….becca told me about your blog and i was so glad to find it…took some doing….love the photos and the comments…can’t wait until my next visit during whale season….well actually my next visit will be when you guys make it to state finals! gotta be there for that! practice hard so i can come! thanks for the blog! mary
Katie, while on a whale watch on Saturday 12 February 2011 our boat had the most amazing experience – a humpback mugged us for a good 30 minutes, and he/she spent a lot of time “porpoising” out of the water for us. Andrew asked me to share the photos with you – if you can email me I can arrange to get the photos to you via SkyDrive (that is, of course, if you’re interested :)). Just let me know !!
I’d love to see them! You can send it to koholakatie@gmail.com I’m glad you had such a great trip!
Katie,
Your passion for Maui’s “Mountains that Swim” really comes through. The entire Whale Tails Tortilla Chip crew was on board your 2 hr adventure before attending the Pacific Whale Festival at Kalama Park on Saturday.
You set the mood for our entire week in Maui and we leave the island with new and re-energized commitment to educate, inspire and encourage conservation for these amazing mammals.
An ocean of thanks, Katie, and we will be sending folks over to your blog. !!
Mahalo
Ric n Terry
Thank you so much for the nice words! I am glad you all had such a great time while you were here. Keep up the great work!!
Hey Ms. Kohola Katie,
Finally settled in back home from my wonderful trip of watching the beautiful whales of Maui. I have many great pics that I wish to share with you for your gallery. It was really great to spend so much time with you and Andrew (as well as the entire crew, Cpt Dave, Desk Dave, etc)….Tell everyone that I said hi. Can’t wait till next year when I will return for the splendor of whale watching with Lahaina Cruise Co…
Hope you had a great weekend on the Hana Coast…….:-)
Krista
hey krista we miss you already jack left the other day so the crew is dwindling! Hana was beautiful as usual and really fun. can’t wait to see you again next year!!
Much Aloha and will definately see you next year..
Katie, Have been thinking about you and the crew with the recently earthquake. Thanks for posting that video and letting all of us know that you and everyone are safe…..
yes, i am stalking you via webblog thing. there will be a very interesting migration from a flag in front of canoe beach to a flag in front of the life guard stand this coming saturday. i know it is a 1/4 mile, but there is a turn involved, and i don’t think a whale can turn as quick as us! ha!
Hi Katie, Amazing blog! A bunch of us girls started similar blogs when we joined the 2010 and 2011 Hawaii Whale Research Foundation team. We may have shared the seas with you on previous occasions. I am longing to come back now after seeing your words and I hope you continue to enjoy the beauty!
Kohola Katie. I so live vicariously thru people like you. you and the crew made the trip great. i was on the Feb 25th 10:30 trip. OMG It was spiritual…i was in awe and the little Italian gal next to me was just i tears. I love the whales and thank all of you for each and every bit of knowledge. See you again. Cindy King
Hi from P-town, Katie! We enjoyed our sail with you last month so much that we went again the next day (disappointed you weren’t on that sail too)! Your enthusiasm and knowledge really made our trip amazing and made a whale lover out of me too! Unforgettable trip. Mahalo!
Lisa Mowry