Hawaii
Potential Albino Whale Calf Spotted Off Makaha, Hawaii
The elusive white whale in real life. Photo: KHON2//Screenshot
Divers off Makaha on Oahu were treated to an incredibly rare sight on March 28 when they saw a potential pygmy albino blackfish whale, known outside of Hawaii as either false killer whales or short-finned pilot whales.
“[The Blackfish is] one of four species that we call Blackfish because they’re all kind of black in color and hard to distinguish,” said Dr. Jessica Jacob, assistant professor at Hawaii Pacific University. “Based on the shape of the fin and the white lips, I would say it’s a pygmy killer whale.”
Although the false killer whales have skull shapes that closely resemble that of an orca, they aren’t closely related. Like orcas, though, they are a toothed species. They’re normally dark grey or black, which is why seeing a white one in a pod was so surprising.
“We noticed there was a white baby with them,” Travis Woo, a safety diver with Iruka Hawaii Dolphin Snorkeling Tours, told KHON2 News. “My initial reaction was euphoria.”
According to KHON2, an albino whale of any species has never been seen off Hawaii. It’s possible that this calf is leucistic, which is a genetic condition where some or all of the whale’s cells don’t produce melanin. It’s different than pure albinism, where there is a complete absence of melanin. Albino animals generally have white or pink eyes.
“It is potentially an albino individual, but there’s really only two ways to confirm that,” Pacific Whale Foundation Chief Scientist Jens Currie explained. “One is to do genetic sampling and look for that mutation that would cause a lack of pigmentation and lack of melanin production, which produces the color of individuals. Or, sometimes, you can examine the eyes of those individuals and the lack of color in their eyes makes them appear pink.”
According to The Cascadia Research Institute, white whale calves would have a hard time reaching adulthood. They said that this particular calf looks to have sunburns and blistering, and due to its coloring, they stand out to predators.
“Usually these dolphins, they go and hunt kind of far off shore and we don’t see them that often, but we’re seeing them hanging in closer to shore trying to guard this calf,” Woo said. “So, they’re sticking with it. We’re all rooting for it and hopefully it makes it. It’s unlikely, but it is possible.”
Hawaii
Healthier Hawaii: How to protect your hearing; head and neck warning signs you shouldn’t ignore
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – You may have received new earbuds or headphones during the holidays. But there are a few things you keep in mind when it comes to protecting your hearing.
Dr. Ross Shockley, an otolaryngologist with Wilcox Medical Center and Kaua‘i Medical Clinic, offers the following tips for hearing, as well as head and neck health.
Head and neck cancers
Many people are not familiar with head or neck cancers. What causes it and when should someone see a doctor?
- Traditionally, head and neck cancers were mostly associated with longtime smokers and drinkers. Now, more cases are tied to human papillomavirus (HPV), even in nonsmokers and drinkers. HPV is the same virus that can lead to cervical cancer in women. It is common and can have no symptoms.
- If you have throat pain, pain when swallowing that doesn’t go away, or a mass in your neck that feels firm and isn’t moving, don’t wait. See your doctor.
- Head and neck cancers can be treated, no matter the cause, if caught early.
How to prevent hearing loss
More young adults, in their early 20s, are experiencing hearing loss. Can hearing loss be reversed?
- Hearing loss can’t be reversed. Once ringing in ears starts, that can be permanent.
- Wear appropriate hearing protection when using power tools or firing weapons.
- You can find ear protection that blocks out sound for about $15. Protection that covers the whole ear are better than earplugs.
How do you know if music or movies are too loud?
- Don’t turn anything up to the maximum.
- You want the volume to be at the lowest level where you can still hear and understand.
- If there is background noise, don’t crank up the volume all the way to fight it. Use noise-cancelling headphones or go somewhere quieter.
Dangers of cleaning your ears
You may feel the urge to clean your ears. Shockley says do less, or even nothing at all.
- Our ears clean themselves. As new skin grows, it takes wax with it out of your ear.
- When you clean your ears, you’re interrupting that natural cleaning process.
- You can also put yourself at risk for external ear infections – or make your ears itch more.
Copyright 2026 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
Hawaii
Hawaii Grown: Few isle players in College Football Playoff final four | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hawaii Island police are renewing their request for the public’s assistance in locating 82-year-old Jacquelyn Glenn of Kailua-Kona, who was reported missing by her family.
Police said she is considered endangered due to her age.
Glenn was last seen on Friday, Dec. 5, around 6:37 a.m., on the 75-200 block of Nani Kailua Dr. in Kailua-Kona.
She was wearing a peach-colored shirt, blue denim jeans, and black tennis shoes. She reportedly mentioned going to Hilo with friends, but did not say when she planned to return.
She is described as 5′6″, 125 Ibs, with curly grey hair and brown eyes.
Police ask anyone with information on the whereabouts of Jacquelyn Glenn to call the Hawaii Police Department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311.
Copyright 2026 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
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