Though Hawaii’s humpback whale season isn’t into full swing until mid/late December, it’s possible that the season’s first whale to arrive in Hawaii is making the journey to the islands at this moment. So, it’s time for our annual contest to predict the first humpback whale sighting of the upcoming season!
To assist you with your prediction, here’s a list of the the most recent humpback sightings:
2006 – October 11
2007 – October 7
2008 – October 8
2009 – October 20
2010 – October 20
2011 — September 26
2012 — August 30
2013 — October 5
2014 — September 16
Here’s how the 2015 contest will work:
- Pick the earliest date you think the first whale sighting will be this year. Enter your prediction in the comments for this blog post. (Sorry Facebook friends, but only blog comments will be eligible. It’s easier for me to keep track of all the guesses in one spot here on the blog.)
- The closest prediction without going over will win a small prize and bragging rights, of course.
- You must use a valid email address so that I can contact you when/if your prediction is correct. Note that your email address will not be visible on the comment.
- In the event of a tie, I will randomly select a winner from the tied predictions.
- We’ll use Hawaii newspapers and news stations as our sources to determine when the first whale has been seen this season.
- One entry per person will be accepted.
- Anyone from around the world is eligible to enter. One year our winner was from Milano, Italy.
- Entries will be accepted through September 15, 2015. In the event that the first whale sighting is before September 15, valid entries will accepted through the day before the reported sighting.
This year’s prize is a custom mouse pad indicating the winner’s keen sense of humpback whales as the contest winner. The mouse pad measures 7.75″ x 9.25″. The following image is an example of what the mouse pad will look like:
When do you predict Hawaii will have this year’s first whale sighting? Enter your prediction in the comments!
Sheila Beal
49 comments
I think the 1st sighting for 2015 will be September 18th.
The first whale siting will be on September 1, 2015
September 27th is my guess. Mahalo for the contest!
October 14, my anniversary.
I predict the first humpback whale sighting will be September 19, 2015.
Sep 09
I am guessing September 24th to see the first humpback whale.
Aloha. On September 20th. !
Aloha!! September 20, 2015
September 18th will be the first whale sighting.
September 14, 2015 will be the first whale sighting!!
I’m guessing October 3rd
I predict the whale will appear on Oct 1
October 3rd.
My guess – 10/1/2015.
I predict september 17th this year will be the day
September 14th for the first humpback whale sighting
September 23rd for the first whale sighting.
October 9, 2015
I think the first sighting will be 5th October, “PLEASE”
October 9 is my guess
October 1st is my guess at the first sighting
I believe Oct. 4 15
Sept. 6, 2015
September 22, 2015
Whales will start showing up on 13 October around 9 A.M.
I’m guessing October 4, 2015 for the first whale sighting. Mahalo for keeping the contest going!
first humpback whale sighting will be October 4th
My guess is October 15, 2015
2015 Whale Sighting 3 September @ 9:30 AM
2015 whale sighting will be on Sept 7!
September 22nd
My guess is September 5th, 2015
September 25, 2015. I’ll be on Maui looking out for my first whale sighting!
I guess and hope the first sighting will be September 13, 2015 when my wife and I will be visiting Maui for the first time and I hope we see it for ourselves !
Oct. 16
I predict the first whale sighting will be Sept 22 2015 . when we arrive for our cruise
The first whale sighting is going to be on October 17.
I predict that the first whale sighting will be on Sept. 30, 2015 !!
I predict Sept 23
I think it will be September 30th
I am hoping September 1st while I am still here.
I predict the first sighting will be Oct 2nd.
sept 28
I predict October 4, 2015 for the first whale sighting. My husband and I will be there in March 2016 for our first trip to Maui.
I will say the first humpback whale sighting in Hawaii this year will be Sept 12.
I believe the first whale sighting will be Sept 25th!
first whale oct 13
We have our first reported sighting of the season! Per this Honolulu Advertiser article: http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/breaking/20151006_First_humpback_whales_of_season_are_spotted_off_Kauai_Niihau.html?id=330994431 The first sighting was near Niihau on September 29th. Congratulations to Marco and Laura for having the closest guess (Sept 28).
Mahalo to everyone who participated! We always enjoy hosting this contest!