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51 Maui Ocean Adventures & Whale Watch Magazine Why are the whales singing? Well, the bottom line is researchers don't know. There have been several ideas proposed and investigated, including whether songs attract females, ward off other males, or define territory. However, none of these theories have been proven conclusively. In fact, some recent studies have shown that males' songs actually attract other males, rather than females, usually for brief, friendly encounters. While these underwater singers typically perform alone, they have been found singing while acting as an "escort" in the immediate vicinity of a female. On occasion, singing occurs in competitive groups comprised of one female and multiple males. What is agreed upon by most is that the songs probably facilitate the mating process in some way. While the songs seem to be connected to mating season, other sounds or calls can be heard throughout the year. How do whales make the songs? Humpbacks have no vocal cords and no air is emitted from their bodies while they're singing. So how do they produce this eerie, yet beautiful song? Researchers believe humpbacks "sing" by moving air through valves and sacks in their respiratory systems, similar to taking the end of an inflated balloon and slowly squeezing the air through it. How can you hear the songs? If you're here during whale season (from December though April, or even May), you have several choices while on Maui. Grab a mask and snorkel, put your head under the ocean and listen. The closer the whales are, the louder their song will be. Of course, it helps to be in an area that whales frequent, like the Humpback Whale Marine Sanctuary (see the map on page 60). Black Rock Beach in Kaanapali is a great place, as the sound vibrates off the underwater coral wall where the sound is intensified. Another option is to go on a whale watching cruise that has a hydrophone. This is a microphone they place underwater to broadcast live whale songs on board through speakers. Also, some cruises combine whale watching with the opportunity to snorkel, so you may hear them through the hydrophone as well as underwater when you're swimming. Wop - A call from a mother to her calf. Thwop - A call between whales and not limited to mothers and calves. Grunt - A call when pods are joining together. Cry - A call made by a male when competing with other males to join a female, heard mainly in competitive groups. Underwater Blow - This is often used to distort other males' vision or confuse them, and sounds very loud underwater to all other males. Source: Humpback Whale Acoustic Research Collaboration (HARC), Four Year Study published in Australian Geographic Issue 95. SOUNDS SOUNDS WHALE WHALE SOCIAL SOCIAL WHALE SOUNDS