The Maui Whale Festival is a six-month series of events held in honor of the humpback whales that migrate 3,000 miles to Maui each winter. It begins in late November and continues through mid-May. Featured events include “Welcome Home the Whales” celebration cruises, a paddle board and kayaking event, a golf tournament, a fun run, an art exhibition, free lectures, a citizens’ count of whales and an all-day celebration in the park, newly named, “World Whale Day,” (formerly Whale Day.) The Maui Whale Festival is sponsored and hosted by the nonprofit Pacific Whale Foundation.