The Keiki Kohola Project is a non-profit NGO that utilizes small quadcopters to monitor humpback whale condition in the Maui Channel in Maui, Hawaii. The long-distance seasonal migrations of Pacific humpback whales have become more impeded by human-caused threats such as climate change, harmful boating practices, and many other instances of forms of pollution and so on. The Maui Channel is a focal point in these creatures’ journey, and the region’s high rates of tourism makes it even more so an area of concern.
I was fortunate to be able to volunteer with this organization and combine my experience with drone technology troubleshooting and small boat operating to capture footage of migrating humpback whale pods without disturbing their movements. We have since used the resulting footage to communicate with and educate the public regarding the real implications of human impacts on this endangered species. You may have seen the above video on my drone page, but if not feel free to watch this short excerpt of some footage I captured during my time in the Maui Channel.
