March = Malaki

This whale is breaching off the coast of which Hawaiian isle?

A breach is a leap out of the water in which 90% of the whale's body clears the water before coming back down on its back or side.

It is not known for certain why whales breach, but they often do it in groups, suggesting an assertion of dominance or courting. Or it could be a way of dislodging parasites from the skin. Others suggest it is a form of play.

Whatever the reason, what better place to do it than off the coast of this island. It is the second-largest of the Hawaiian islands and the 17th largest island in the United States.

My buddy Jim and I visited here in 2012. We saw the sun rise from the top of Mt. Haleakala -- the volcano that dominates the center of the island -- and then biked our way back down. We also drove the switchback-laden road to Hana, a 50-mile drive that takes several hours to complete. Our snorkeling excursion was canceled due to inclement weather; otherwise, I'm sure we would have seen a whale or two, perhaps even this same guy pictured above.