Approximately 324 humpback whales were counted offshore of Hawai’i Island during the first Sanctuary Ocean Count and Great Whale Count of the season. Saturday was the first of three coordinated whale counts between Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Ocean Count from the shores of Kaua’i, O’ahu, Molokaʻi and Hawai’i Island and the Great Whale Count by Pacific Whale Foundation from Maui and Lānaʻi.