The 2026 Whale Tales will feature presentations by leading scientists and visual storytellers, and the screenings of “Saving Koholā” and “Ocean with David Attenborough.” Courtesy photo

Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Maui-based Whale Trust organization, the Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua, will host a five-day Whale Tales 2026 event Thursday, Feb. 19, through Monday, bringing together ocean leaders, scientists, filmmakers, photographers and conservation advocates focused on marine research, education and visual storytelling.

“We’ve really done a lot to make the 20th anniversary of Whale Tales as memorable and exciting as it can be,” explained Whale Trust’s manager of development and events Ashley Stone-Mason.

The annual Whale Tales is based on “the idea of making information gleaned from research available to the general public, so that people become more connected to and committed to protecting whales and the ocean environment that we all share on this Earth,” said Stone-Mason.

The nonprofit Whale Trust was founded in 2001 on Maui by Megan Jones-Gray, Jim Darling and National Geographic photographer Flip Nicklin with the interest of supporting and conducting whale research.

Among the key highlights, “Listening to the Ocean: An Evening of Conversation with Ocean Elders” will be presented at 6 p.m. Friday with emcee Kainoa Horcajo.

“We have keynote speakers, Dr. Sylvia Earle, who is considered one of the most prominent figures in marine conservation, and Nainoa Thompson, the world-renowned navigator, and Jean-Michel Cousteau, who is a descendant from Jacques Cousteau,” said Stone-Mason. “Also a handful of ocean elders will be joining as well. We have Sven Lindblad and Lavinia Currier from Molokai.”

Highlights at 1 p.m. Saturday will include “Gray Whales in Crisis: Live from the Calving Lagoons in Baja, Mexico,” featuring leading gray whale researchers Steven Swartz, Jorge Urbán and Sue Moore with a panel discussion led by Darling.

“We have been part of gray whale research taking place in different parts of the Pacific,” said Stone-Mason. “We have three different research associates in different locations that will be connecting virtually to share with the audience what they have been witnessing pertaining to gray whales, linking in from Baja, Mexico and Juneau (Alaska). And we will be accepting questions from folks in advance. So if anybody wants to ask the researchers questions, they will have the opportunity to do so via social media.”

Screenings include “Saving Koholā” by award-winning filmmaker Nick Zachar at 3:13 p.m. Friday, which offers an intimate look at the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary team that monitors and disentangles humpback whales.

The “Ocean with David Attenborough” screening will be at 7 p.m. Sunday, exploring the importance of the Earth’s oceans and the threats they face.

Opening day events include a Keiki Day. “We will bring a couple hundred west side fourth and fifth graders for a half day of presentations and hands-on learning experiences with lunch, thanks to our sponsor The Bendon Family Foundation,” she noted.

A Hope Spot snorkel tour out of Maalaea on Sunday morning has five places available for Maui students age 16 and older. “We are inviting them to submit a short essay explaining why they want to meet Sylvia Earle and what gives them hope for the ocean,” said Stone-Mason. “It’s a great opportunity for some local kids to be with one of the biggest people in marine conservation.”

Throughout the five-day event, attendees can explore the Mauka to Makai Science Center, featuring more than one dozen local nonprofit organizations, and a Community Art Expo.

“Registration is available on a sliding scale,” said Stone-Mason. “So even people who cannot pay the suggested donation can pay what they want or even come for free.”

Whale Tales 2026 will be available to attend in person or online, with live-streaming and on-demand access available for up to 30 days following the event. Registration is donation-based with a suggested donation of $75. Tickets for “Listening to the Ocean: An Evening of Conversation with Ocean Elders” are $60 (excludes registration fee). Proceeds support the Whale Tales Beneficiary Fund. For event details and registration, visit whaletales.org.