Ancient kahunas (priests) would recite the Kumulipo chant—the Hawaiian chant

of creation—the second section tells the birth of the whale: “Hanau ka palaoa

noho I kai”— born is the whale living in the ocean.

Mistaken as the Lono (God associated with fertility),

James Cook was greeted upon his arrival to Hawai’i.

Hawai‘i’s whaling era begins when two New England ships become the first

whaling ships to arrive in the Hawaiian Islands.

Whale products are in high demand.

The whaling industry is prominent in the

island economy for about 40 years.

The end of the whaling industry is brought about by the discovery of

a new type of oil in Pennsylvania which replaces whale oil.

The global population of humpbacks is depleted

by the commercial whaling industry.

The United States government makes it illegal to hunt, harm, or disturb

humpback whales. The Endangered Species Act is passed. The humpback

whale is listed as endangered.

Congress enacts the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine

Sanctuary, recognizing the vital role the Hawaiian Islands have in the

preservation of endangered humpback whales.

The Sanctuary is managed in an equal partnership by the National Oceanic

and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the State of Hawai‘i.