About the Sanctuary Sanctuary History Natural Environment The Humpback Whale Hawaiian Cultural Program Exploring the Sanctuary The Sanctuary needs your help to protect Hawaii's humpback whales. Find out how you can support the Sanctuary's research, rescue, or education programs today! Come Visit the Sanctuary Education Center...click here for directions Nearly two-thirds of the entire North Pacific population of humpback whales migrates to Hawaii each winter for breeding, calving and nursing activities critical to the survival of their species. A Sanctuary Dedicated to the Endangered Humpback Whale and its Habitat The Hawaiian Islands are the world's most isolated island archipelago, born of ancient volcanoes and inhabited by animals and plants derived from ancestors that found their way here over thousands of miles of ocean. According to scientists, the shallow, warm waters surrounding the main Hawaiian Islands constitute one of the world's most important habitats for the endangered humpback whale. Nearly two-thirds of the entire North Pacific population of humpback whales migrates to Hawai`i each winter. Here, they engage in breeding, calving and nursing activities critical to the survival of their species. The sanctuary is also home to a fascinating array of marine animals, corals and plants, some of which are found nowhere else on Earth. Its cultural heritage includes Native Hawaiian traditions of living in harmony with the sea. Its waters invite activities such as diving, boating and snorkeling, and support commercial uses such as fishing and shipping. The corals of the Hawaiian Islands, such as the Finger coral (Porites compressa) pictured here, are rich in diversity and support an abundance of life. Coral habitats are found extensively throughout the Sanctuary. The Work of the Sanctuary The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary is one of 13 national marine sanctuaries created under the U.S. Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act. The sanctuary's goal is to promote comprehensive and coordinated management, research, education and long-term monitoring for the endangered humpback whale and its habitat. The sanctuary focuses its efforts on a variety of issues, including supporting the work of marine researchers, coordinating and participating in community outreach projects, developing educational displays, and working cooperatively with local organizations, agencies and volunteers to address resource protection and public awareness. [top] Revised by the HIHWNMS web team on May 17, 2007. URL: http://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov/about/about_sanctuary.html.