Koholā Humpback Whale + Baby Drop Earrings

Koholā Humpback Whale + Baby drop earrings – a lovely symbol of the bond between mothers and babies. Whales are often nuzzle and touch flippers with their young – a presumed sign of affection between mother and calf.

Koholā – Humpback Whales

The Hawaiians revered whales, and considered them a manifestation of Kanaloa, the god of the ocean and its creatures. They were also ‘aumakua to the Hawaiians, or ancestral spirit guides. The high chiefs (ali’i) would wear whale teeth which were believed to bring power, or mana. Whales were originally called palaoa, but now that name more commonly refers to toothed whales such as sperm whales. Kolohā are more specifically humpbacks (which are filter feeders without teeth). Sadly much knowledge about whales and their special relationship to the Hawaiian culture has been lost. (find more information here and here)

The Hawaiian Islands are the principal winter breeding grounds for the North Pacific humpback whale population. From November through April, thousands of humpbacks migrate to the warm Hawaiian waters to breed, give birth, and nurse their young calves – about half the North Pacific population. They estimate the total population between 8000 – 12000, with the rest of the humpbacks spread between western Mexico and the southern islands of Japan. (note these statistics vary by source)

Humpback whales live about 40 to 50 years, and attain 45-60 ft in length; calves are between 13-16 ft long. Humpbacks spend spring and summer farther north in cooler waters like Alaska, and feed on krill and small schooling fish. An endearing characteristic we witness with whales is the affection mothers have for their young, swimming close together, often touching each other with their flippers. Indeed, one of the most most joyous things you can find in the ocean is the excitement of a baby whale learning to breach – leaping out of the ocean again and again!