On my last visit to Maui, a friend invited me on a floating John Cruz concert aboard a 65-foot, Pacific Whale Foundation catamaran. Initially, I was concerned about crowds, since these cruises fill up fast. And during the annual Maui whale festival, this was no exception, with huge lines and the rest of the anxiety-causing features that can happen with this type of activity. But sometimes you gotta just dip your toe into the fun. And I did.
Even though we were the last people on the boat, we found a spot. Despite the large group gathered to board the medium-sized vessel, there were plenty of places to sit, all with basically the same view of the ocean. I found my girls happily sitting in the back of the boat, next to a couple from the Bay Area who had just moved to Lahaina to retire. When I asked, “Why Lahaina?” The husband smiled and said, “we walked to this concert.” Duly noted.
Another easy reason to get a ticket, is that it goes to a good cause. If you like whales.
The Pacific Whale Foundation was founded in 1980 by Greg Kaufman, a pioneer in non-invasive humpback whale research off of Maui, who has authored many books and scientific publications on cetaceans. While they started focused on whales, the foundation now does research on whales, dolphins and coral reefs. Today they operate a fleet of nine vessels that offer eco-cruises daily from Lahaina, including these specialty adventures.
So, the idea that buying a ticket to see award-winning musician John Cruz play guitar and sing with a baby humpback frolicking a stone’s throw behind him in front of a magical Maui sunset, in a show that would help to protect said baby behemoth… brilliant!
Mimi Towle has been the editor of Marin Magazine for over a decade. She lived with her family in Sycamore Park and Strawberry and thoroughly enjoyed raising two daughters in the mayhem of Marin’s youth sports; soccer, swim, volleyball, ballet, hip hop, gymnastics and many many hours spent at Miwok Stables. Her community involvements include volunteering at her daughter’s schools, coaching soccer and volleyball (glorified snack mom), being on the board of both Richardson Bay Audubon Center. Currently residing on a floating home in Sausalito, she enjoys all water activity, including learning how to steer a 6-person canoe for the Tamalpais Outrigger Canoe Club. Born and raised in Hawaii, her fondness for the islands has on occasion made its way into the pages of the magazine.
