It’s again that time of year when people living on the mainland brace for frigid temperatures and snow days. But in Hawai’i, it’s the season where residents give their warmest welcome to their favorite visitors: humpback whales.

About 60 percent of all North Pacific humpbacks make the nearly 6,000-mile round trip to the islands, where about 80 percent will choose the waters of the Au’Au Channel, between Maui and Lanai, as their wintertime home, according to the Keiki Kohola Project, a nonprofit that works to protect humpback whales in the islands. The whales usually start the journey in late fall to early winter, then return to the chillier North Pacific waters in the spring. Then, they make their way to Alaska for the summer to feed.

Each year,

The U.S. doesn’t consider most humpbacks endangered species since they’ve rebounded from the threat of extinction after decades of whaling. But they’re still in need of our help. Today, humpback whales and other marine life face a slew of other threats, including climate change, unsustainable fishing, plastic contamination and noise pollution. Here are a few ways you can help support the whales who migrate to Maui, as well as humpbacks across the globe:

• Adequate rest is critically important to mothers and calves, so if you’re in the water with them, be especially mindful of the noise you might produce. Don’t approach them while resting; and similarly, avoid their line of travel. All ocean users are barred from approaching humpback whales

All ocean users are barred from approaching humpback whales within 100 yards...but sometimes they come to you! This behaviour is known as “whale mugging” and the boat captain is required to stay put until the whale decides to swim away.

For decades, Maui residents have come together to celebrate the island’s most beloved wintertime visitors—humpback whales.

In 2020, the Pacific Whale Foundation will hold its 40th annual Maui Whale Festival, a series of events designed to inspire environmental stewardship and honor the great giants that migrate to the islands each winter. Held since 1980, the festival offers a range of events for residents and visitors alike. But isn’t the only event dedicated to the whales. Here are a few ways you can get involved