WATCH: Holo Holo Charters records first humpback sighting of 2025-26 season off Kaua'i

This article reports on the return of humpback whales to Hawaiian waters for the 2025-26 season, written by Kauai Now News with contributions from reporter Nathan Christophel.

Humpback whales, known as kohola in Hawaiian, have begun their annual winter migration from Alaska to Hawaii's warm waters for mating and birthing. Holo Holo Charters recorded their first confirmed sighting on October 14 off Kauai's coast, though Pacific Whale Foundation reported even earlier September sightings near Maui. These magnificent marine mammals travel approximately 3,200 miles at 3-4 mph, with an estimated 12,000 whales representing over half the North Pacific population expected to arrive between November and May.

• The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary protects the only U.S. reproduction site for these cetaceans
• Peak whale watching season typically occurs January through March in protected sanctuary waters
• Community science projects like Sanctuary Ocean Count celebrate their 30th anniversary in 2026
• Historical data shows first sightings vary annually, ranging from mid-September to early November