National Marine Sanctuaries
Resources for Teachers
NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries provides teachers with resources and trainings to support ocean literacy in America's classrooms. You will find curriculum, lesson plans and activities that will excite your students about science and technology.
Brochures
Sanctuary Site
This brochure provides highlights on the Hawaiian Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary , the National Marine Sanctuary System, and the North Pacific humpback whales that migrate to Hawai`i each year.
The Cultural Significance of Whales in Hawai’i
This brochure provides information on how koholā (whales) have impacted the culture of ancient Hawaiians .
Fishpond of Hawai’i
Information in this brochure describes the features of Native Hawaiian fishponds .
Boating & Ocean Use
The Boating and Ocean Use Brochure features guidelines and regulations designed to help boaters, whale watchers, and other ocean users stay safe and legal on the water during whale season.
OCEAN CLASSROOM
Instructional videos for educators
Humpback Whales 101
Learn about the size of a humpback whale, how they migrate from Alaska to Hawaiʻi, and how to draw a humpback whale to scale.
Humpback Whale Threats and Adaptations
Learn about whale blubber, how humpback whales feed, and how marine debris affects whales and their natural habitat.
Corals and Coral Reefs
Learn about what exactly is coral, how corals feed, and how to create a coral.
Survival in a Coral Reef
Learn about coral reef habitats, what creatures live in a coral reef, and how to create your own marine critter
Oceanography 101
Learn about what makes ocean currents, why the ocean is salty, and where sand comes from.
SeaKids
Ocean lessons for kids
What is Coral?
Learn about what exactly is coral, how corals feed, and how to create a coral.
Ocean Spotlight
Sanctuary featured talks with Waikiki Aquarium
Ocean Spotlight Episode 1
Patty Miller, Sanctuary Education Coordinator, on learning about Humpback Whales
Ocean Spotlight Episode 2
Ed Lyman, Sanctuary Natural Resource Management Specialist on Whale Entanglement
Ocean Spotlight Episode 3
Patty Miller, Sanctuary Education Coordinator, with more fun activities about Humpback Whales
Ocean Spotlight Episode 4
Dr. Marc Lammers, Sanctuary Research Coordinator, on trends in whale abundance and research activities at the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuaries
Ocean Spotlight Episode 5
Patty Miller, Sanctuary Education Coordinator, with information about Corals and Coral Reefs.
Ocean Spotlight Episode 6
LTJG Sara Wood, NOAA Corps Officer, with information on the NOAA Corps and its sea and aircraft
Virtual Tours
Information Sheets & Fact Cards
Sanctuary Information Sheet
This information sheet provides basic information on the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary .
Get Involved Sanctuary Information Sheet
This information sheet details threats to humpback whales, what you can do to help protect humpback whales and other marine wildlife, and provides reporting information .
Understanding Threats to Humpback Whales
This one-page information sheet provides information on the threats to Hawai`i's humpback whales . Great for kids!
Humpback Whale Behavior Sheet
Humpback whales can be seen in Hawai`i's nearshore waters during the winter and their impressive acrobatic displays are often visible from miles away. View this information sheet to learn about their behaviors and also to learn other basic facts about the sanctuary.
Humpback Whale Fact Card
Want to know more about humpback whales ? How big they are? What they eat? Check out this fact card.
Marine Protected Species of Hawaii Cards
These cards feature information on Hawai`i's Marine Protected Species. Learn about their biology, behavior, research efforts, and more. The cards were produced by the sanctuary with assistance from other NOAA and State of Hawai`i partners.
Hawaiian Spinner Dolphin
North Pacific Humpback Whale
Hawaiian Monk Seal
Sea Turtles of Hawai’i
2021 Hawai’i Marine Tide & Moon Phase Calendar
Posters
Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Posters
View pdfs of sanctuary posters by artist Roger Hall
- Sanctuary poster
- Species ID key (English and scientific names)
- Species ID key (Hawaiian and scientific names)
Humpback Whale Posters
View pdfs of the sanctuary's site posters. These posters are not currently available in print.
Humpback Whale Tail
Humpback Whale Breach
Humpback Whale Mother and Calf
Cultural Posters
View two different versions of the Sanctuary's Cultural Poster.
Cultural Poster with Text
Cultural Poster without Text
Marine Mammal Poster
View this poster which shows illustrations of the marine mammals that visit Hawai`i. The back of the poster features information on each of the animals.
Conservation Council of Hawai’i – Seabirds Poster and Education Guide
View this poster developed by the Conservation Council of Hawai`i with the support of the sanctuary and many others which teaches about Hawaii's amazing seabirds.
Bookmarks
SPLASH Research Bookmark
View this bookmark which promotes the SPLASH Research Project.
Sanctuary Bookmark
View this bookmark which promotes the Sanctuary's website.