Whale Tales 2014 will open with a special Valentine’s Day event, “Whale Love,” on Friday, Feb. 14, in Lahaina (see page 14). During the eighth annual event on Feb. 14-17 at The Maui Theatre in Lahaina, internationally known scientists, photographers and conservationists will present their latest findings and groundbreaking research. Here, Whale Trust Maui co-founder Meagan Jones was following a male-female pair when the humpback male suddenly breached right in front of the research boat off Olowalu. PHOTO BY FLIP NICKLIN/MINDEN PICTURES; PHOTO OBTAINED UNDER NMFS PERMIT #987.

LAHAINA – This year, the whales are inviting you to a special Valentine’s Day event, “Whale Love.” Whale Tales 2014, one of the most recognized international whale research and education events hosted right here on Maui, is opening on Friday, Feb. 14, with a reception and presentation under the stars.

Give your Valentine a special surprise this year and enjoy networking with world-renowned personalities in whale research. The featured presenters at Whale Tales 2014 include international scientists, photographers and conservationists that are leaders in their field presenting their latest findings and groundbreaking research at the eighth annual Whale Tales event to be held Feb. 14-17 at The Maui Theatre in Lahaina.

New this year, Whale Tales kicks off with a reception on Friday, Feb. 14, at Sugar Cane Maui Restaurant from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at 736 Front St. The price of $20 per ticket will support the Whale Tales beneficiaries and includes light pupus and a cash bar.

Taste for yourself the buzz about Chef Philippe Chin, who comes to Maui with a long list of culinary accolades. Chin brings “farm to table” to this Gastro Pub on Front Street with his use of local indigenous island ingredients combined with an adventurous, contemporary style and French flair.

Whale Tales continues at the Second Friday Town Party in Lahaina. Head to Campbell Park at dusk for a free presentation under the stars titled “Whale Love” by National Geographic photographer Flip Nicklin and Whale Trust Maui cinematographer Jason Sturgis. Video and still photos will show our Maui humpback whale couples and what they may be up to.

Hear the latest findings on whale research at Whale Tales on Feb. 14-17 at The Maui Theatre in Lahaina.

Nicklin is a world-renowned National Geographic underwater photographer and co-founder of Whale Trust Maui. Through 20 National Geographic feature articles from 1982 to the present, he has worked closely with top whale researchers from around the world.

Sturgis has been an avid diver for over 25 years, as well as a cameraman and documentary filmmaker. His work has been featured on the National Geographic Channel, Animal Planet, Discovery Canada, NDR Germany, Dan Rather Reports, ABC’s Pacific Adventures and NBC’s Today show.

For more information and the full schedule, visit WhaleTrustMaui.org. To buy tickets for the Valentine’s Day “Whale Love” Opening Reception online, visit www.whaletrust.org/get-involved/make-a-gift/ or call 572-5700. “Like” Whale Trust Maui on Facebook for regular event updates.