Savant Books and Publications LLC, Honolulu, Hawaii, publishers of significant books and enduring media for the 21st century, is pleased to announce the release of Four Arrows’ new book, "Last Song of the Whales."

In this novella, a humpback whale mysteriously takes a mixed-blood American Indian professor to sea. While struggling to survive and learning to communicate with a pod of whales, the man rediscovers his Indigenous roots. In the process, he learns that thousands of whales may be on a suicide mission in the North Pacific in an effort to end human pollution of the ocean. However, when he realizes the dire effects the whales' actions could have for all of life on Earth, he and the whale work together- against all odds—to warn the world in time.

 

The NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) announced a victory: the Obama Administration has proposed putting Hawaii's near-shore population of false killer whales on the endangered species list. The move came in response to our formal petition on behalf of the whales. Only some 150 of these magnificent marine mammals remain in the wild. Their numbers have plummeted over the past two decades as a result of exposure to toxic chemicals, a reduced food supply and injuries from fishing gear.

"Endangered Species Act protections will give false killer whales a chance to survive, and will also help save their extraordinary habitat -- the ocean oasis surrounding the Hawaiian Islands," says Michael Jasny, senior policy analyst for NRDC's Marine Mammal Protection Project. False killer whales, like the orcas they resemble, are members of the dolphin family and normally live in deep open water. The dwindling Hawaiian population is the only group on the planet known to make its home near land. Adults can reach 20 feet in length and up to 1,500 pounds. They are highly social creatures and form close bonds with other members of their pods, mating for decades.

For all the whale lovers on Maui: please join us in Pa'ia TONIGHT for a beautiful and inspiring event produced by Radha Divine to benefit the whales. 'Get the buoy in the water' is the motto for this event. We need to raise money to put our buoy back in the ocean to broadcast the live whalesong to the world - for free! Please join us in Pa'ia or if you are not around please support our mission with a donation. Mahalo nui!

As we navigate these challenging times on Planet Earth, and sail into a new year, I ponder the importance of the oceans and the whales, and what we can do.  Much scientific data has been collected about these large creatures.  We know they were nearly hunted into extinction, and that their numbers are increasing under the protection of national and international laws.  We know a lot about their size, weight, habits, migration patterns.  We know that their songs are sung in patterns that meet the definition of what we humans define as music.  

We also know that humans are very curious about whales, and that there are thriving businesses here and across the globe that specialize in catering to our desire to get close to them.  Here on Maui, many people have arrived for respite from the cold and a chance to go out and see our whales.  Many whales are also arriving to give birth in these warm and friendly waters.  Very soon we will be in "peak season."

We have based our operations here on Maui for ten years now, and have learned a lot about the whales and the people who love them, and the people who study them.  We still have a lot to learn.  We are still working on finding our place in this world.  We want to contribute to increasing the awareness of the importance of the whales and the health of the oceans.   If nothing else, the whales are a reminder of the fact that the actions of humans can drive a species to  extinction or the brink of extinction...and that we humans can also take action collectively to make things better.

Despite the challenges of the economy for the past two years we are still hoping to be back in the ocean again this year, for our 11th season.  Thank you to all of you who have supported us in this endeavor with time, money, expertise, encouragement.  From the Whalesong Project, best wishes to all of you out there for a happy and healthy New Year.