No Means No – Whale Tail Bracelet

We saw a mama slapping her tail repeatedly on the surface and it turns out she was saying NO to her escort! Right after giving birth, male humpback whales will often chase females in an attempt to mate – even as she’s trying to help her newborn breathe at the surface. There are accounts of newborns drowning as they get pushed below the surface in the showdown – luckily this mother was successful in shaking off the male.

We were told anecdotally that not only do the mamas slap their tails, but will sometimes even side swipe unwanted males with their tail – and as females are usually much larger than the male, it really packs a punch. This all while protecting a newborn – often balancing the baby on her head to keep it breathing.

No means no! A bracelet that symbolizes both maternal protection and self advocacy rolled into one!

Koholā – Humpback Whales

The Hawaiians revered whales, and considered them a manifestation of Kanaloa, the god of the ocean and its creatures. They were also ‘aumakua to the Hawaiians, or ancestral spirit guides. The high chiefs (ali’i) would wear whale teeth which were believed to bring power, or mana. Whales were originally called palaoa, but now that name more commonly refers to toothed whales such as sperm whales. Kolohā are more specifically humpbacks (which are filter feeders without teeth). Sadly much knowledge about whales and their special relationship to the Hawaiian culture has been lost. (find more information here and here)

The Hawaiian Islands are the principal winter breeding grounds for the North Pacific humpback whale population. From November through April, thousands of humpbacks migrate to the warm Hawaiian waters to breed, give birth, and nurse their young calves – about half the North Pacific population. They estimate the total population between 8000 – 12000, with the rest of the humpbacks spread between western Mexico and the southern islands of Japan. (note these statistics vary by source)

Humpback whales live about 40 to 50 years, and attain 45-60 ft in length; calves are between 13-16 ft long. Humpbacks spend spring and summer farther north in cooler waters like Alaska, and feed on krill and small schooling fish. An endearing characteristic we witness with whales is the affection mothers have for their young, swimming close together, often touching each other with their flippers. Indeed, one of the most most joyful things you can witness in the ocean is the excitement of a baby whale learning to breach – leaping out of the ocean again and again.