Ocean filmfest returns with more compelling stories

By Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Dec 23, 2012

~~<p>On New Year's Day 2010, while sailing off Kawaihae on Hawaii Island, Tania Howard and several friends spotted a humpback and her calf a quarter-mile away. Shutting off the Maile's engine, they decided to wait and see what the whales would do. To their surprise, mother and baby started swimming toward them at top speed.</p>
<p>When the whales reached the boat, they swam alongside, from stern to bow. "The mother looked up at us, reached out with her pectoral fin and touched the side of Maile the whole way," Howard said. "I could hardly speak. I'll never forget the sense of connection, and it bolstered my resolve to continue the project I had started."</p>
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<h4>WAIMEA OCEAN FILM FESTIVAL</h4>
» Jan. 3-6: Waimea, Hawaii island (Kahilu Theater, Hawaii Preparatory Academy Gates Theater and Parker School Theater for film showings; Anna Ranch and Mauna Kea Beach Hotel for breakfast talks)
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On New Year's Day 2010, while sailing off Kawaihae on Hawaii Island, Tania Howard and several friends spotted a humpback and her calf a quarter-mile away. Shutting off the Maile's engine, they decided to wait and see what the whales would do. To their surprise, mother and baby started swimming toward them at top speed.

When the whales reached the boat, they swam alongside, from stern to bow. "The mother looked up at us, reached out with her pectoral fin and touched the side of Maile the whole way," Howard said. "I could hardly speak. I'll never forget the sense of connection, and it bolstered my resolve to continue the project I had started." WAIMEA OCEAN FILM FESTIVAL » Jan. 3-6: Waimea, Hawaii island (Kahilu Theater, Hawaii Preparatory Academy Gates Theater and Parker School Theater for film showings; Anna Ranch and Mauna Kea Beach Hotel for breakfast talks) Login for more...