Annual counts show whale of a population tale

Kudos to Pacific Whale Foundation’s citizen science-focused “Great Whale Count.” On the last Saturday in January, February and March — amid the annual season in which more than 10,000 humpbacks travel here from Alaska for breeding and births — scores of trained count volunteers grab binoculars and head to shoreline survey sites.

When last weekend’s tally was lower than expected (529 sightings, compared to last February’s 984), researchers noted a three-year trend in declining numbers suggests the season’s peak may be shifting. Thanks to valuable count data going back to the mid-1990s, though, we know that the overall trend in sightings of our 45-ton winter visitor is increasing.

Manoa Academy lets high schoolers strive higher

The new Manoa Academy Online run by the University of Hawaii- Manoa is a real value-added expansion of service to Hawaii high school students — and especially to those who attend partner high schools.

The web school allows students to take online courses, which in itself is a good opportunity. They can apply for admission as juniors and seniors, and don’t have to reapply as incoming college freshmen.

But partner schools get the tuition waived. Students elsewhere need to push their campuses to pursue participation as well.

Early-college programs require an investment of time and money by the schools — but one that surely pays off for students.