Scientist’s years of work helped humpback whales

A scientist who helped build public interest and research about the preservation of humpback whales has died.

Dan R. Salden, a co-founder of the Maui-based Hawaii Whale Research Foundation, died July 18 at Relais Bonne Eau Hospice in Edwardsville, Ill. He was 71.

Salden, who worked as a professor at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, began studying the whales and marine mammals in 1978 and focused on the social patterns and breeding of humpback whales in Hawaii, information added to scientific studies used to help establish the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.

His Hawaii Whale Research Foundation was established in 1987.

In 2000 he retired from teaching to give his full attention to his study of humpback whales and other marine mammals.

"In the early days of the sanctuary, he worked with us. … We’re forever grateful," said Allen Tom, who was then the sanctuary’s federal liaison to the community.

Tom, regional director for the National Marine Sanctuary Programs in the Pacific, said some people were unsure they wanted a whale sanctuary on Maui in the mid-1990s, but Salden allowed them to use photographs of humpback whales at an exhibit at the Kea­lani Hotel to help get discussions started.

Tom said Salden also contributed his foundation’s photographs of whale flukes to a database that continues to help identify the whales and their migration patterns.

Researchers, including Salden, frequently rode on a motorized boat on the ocean for hours to observe and take photographs of humpback whales.

He is survived by wife Delores and cousins Cheri Danella, Foy Gurin and Gary Pace.

A celebration of Salden’s life was held Friday in Illinois.

Tax-deductible contributions may be made to the Hawaii Whale Research Foundation at hwrf.org or mailed to Hawaii Whale Research Foundation, P.O Box 1296, Lahaina, HI 96767.