A pair of humpback whales was sighted this week off the eastern coast of Lanai.

The Pacific Whale Foundation says it’s the first reported humpback whale sighting of the season in Maui County.

The two whales were seen Thursday swimming toward Maalaea. 

The first confirmed sighting for the state was Sept. 26 off the Big Island, several weeks earlier than expected. 

Humpback whales migrate to Hawaii from their northern summer feeding area that extends from Northern California to the Bering Sea. They come to the islands to mate, give birth and care for their young.

About 12,000 humpback whales are believed to migrate to the Hawaii each winter.