Volunteers are needed to count humpback whales from the shores of Kauai, Oahu and Hawaii islands.

The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary says volunteers will take note of the number of whales they see in the ocean. The counting will be held on the mornings of January 28, February 25 and March 31.

Volunteers should register at www.hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov/

About 10,000 humpback whales come to Hawaii every winter to breed and calve after spending the summer feeding in northern waters.

The whales are an endangered species, though their numbers have grown in recent years.

The census doesn’t provide scientifically accurate results. But it supplements scientific information gathered from other research activities. 

The count also promotes public awareness about humpback whales and the whale sanctuary.