OldWestNewWest.com: History & Travel Magazine

To celebrate the presence of humpback whales in Maui, Pacific Whale Foundation will host its highly popular annual Maui Whale Festival now through Sunday, May 15, 2011.

Last year, more than 25,000 visitors attended the Maui Whale Festival. The 2011 festival is newly expanded and consists of dozens of events for Maui visitors and residents.

Maui Whale Festival's signature event Whale Day, will take place on Saturday, Feb. 19, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Kalama Park in Kihei.

Celebrating its 31st anniversary, Whale Day includes Maui's Parade of Whales, performances by some of Hawaii's top entertainers, a variety of food from popular Maui restaurants, a Made on Maui craft fair, several children's activities, a silent auction, an assortment of environmental displays and the Wild and Wonderful Whale Regatta. The funds raised from Whale Day will support marine education programs for Maui's schoolchildren.

Additionally, the popular Run for the Whales will be held on Saturday, Feb. 5. Run for the Whales participants can choose between a half marathon, 5K run or walk, a competition pod event (where five persons run or walk as a group) and a 2K children's race.

New this year to the Maui Whale Festival is a four-day Valentine's weekend event called For the Love of Whales.

Kicking off the event is a Whale Share-a-Thon on Friday, Feb. 11, featuring hula, music and a traditional Hawaiian chant. The event also includes opportunities for the public to share and enjoy music, art, poetry, stories, video and photos.

Those who wish to learn more about whales can attend An Evening with the Experts on Saturday, Feb. 12, to hear noted whale experts from around the United States speak about the latest discoveries and developments in the quest to understand and save whales.