Belong to something BIGGER!
Join Pacific Whale Foundation (PWF) in our mission to defend the world’s oceans! Become a PWF Member and be part of a global family committed to protecting the ocean through science and advocacy. Members receive exclusive benefits and insider access to advances in our ocean conservation efforts. Help us mitigate the 5 Major Threats impacting whales, dolphins and other marine life with a membership today!
Membership Benefits
- Quarterly e-Newsletter with regular updates on PWF Research, Education and Conservation programs and insider access to our groundbreaking work
- Quarterly Member spotlight
- Discounts and special access to events, including Members-only offers
- Discounts on eco-friendly Membership apparel and gifts in the PWF Online Store
- Priority boarding on PacWhale Eco-Adventures vessels
- Discounts at Maui Ocean Center
- Access to virtual classrooms*
- Early access and discounts on select educational opportunities*
- Discounts on PacWhale Eco-Adventures tours**
- Discounts in PacWhale Ocean Stores**
- Free Member t-shirt and/or sticker**
- Intrinsic satisfaction of contributing to the PWF mission!
* Available with Youth Membership Only
** Available with Guide, Leader, and Hero Memberships Only. See Membership level details below.
membership levels
Youth
- For our youngest ocean stewards—children 17 years of age and younger
- Includes standard membership offerings and access to monthly virtual classrooms, plus early access and discounts on select educational opportunities
- $10 annually
Resident
- Hawai’i residents only, includes standard offerings
- Includes standard offerings
- $50 annually
Mentor
- Adults 60+
- Includes standard offerings
- $75 annually
Friend
- Includes standard offerings
- $125 annually
Guide
- Includes standard membership offerings
- 20% off on two (2) individual tickets for PacWhale Eco-Adventures tours to be used within the year of membership (blackout dates apply)
- 20% off on products purchased at PacWhale Ocean Stores and one (1) free Member sticker
- Monthly memberships for this level are locked in for a year and cannot be canceled before end of term
- $21/month or $250 annually
Leader
- Includes standard membership offerings
- 20% off on six (6) individual tickets for PacWhale Eco-Adventures tours to be used within the year of membership (blackout dates apply)
- 20% off on products purchased at PacWhale Ocean Stores
- Includes one (1) free Member t-shirt and one (1) free Member sticker
- Monthly memberships for this level are locked in for a year and cannot be canceled before end of term
- $42/month or $500 annually
Hero
- Includes standard membership offerings
- 20% off on 12 individual tickets for PacWhale Eco-Adventures tours to be used within the year of membership (blackout dates apply)
- 20% off on products purchased at PacWhale Ocean Stores
- Includes two (2) free Member t-shirts and two (2) free Member stickers
- Monthly memberships for this level are locked in for a year and cannot be canceled before end of term
- $84/month or $1000 annually
FAQ
How has the membership program changed?
In a recent survey, we asked our Members how we could improve the Member experience, and WE HEARD YOU! Here are the following changes:
- Reduced number of membership levels available (for ease of registration), but more perks
- Reduced cost of our Resident and Mentor (senior level) memberships
- Discounts are back on PacWhale Eco-Adventures tours and PacWhale Ocean Store purchases for select membership levels (Guide, Leader and Hero levels)
- Improved Youth membership program grants our youngest Members access to more PWF-sponsored educational opportunities
- Improved constituent portal experience with features that allow you to renew your membership and manage your auto-renew payments with ease
- Quarterly e-newsletters will keep you informed on the latest PWF news and offerings (replaces the old Member Portal)
- Special access to events, with more Members-only opportunities
- Discounts at Maui Ocean Center
What are the Member benefits of the new program?
Standard membership levels (Resident, Mentor and Friend levels) include the following:
- Quarterly e-newsletter with regular PWF updates
- Quarterly Member spotlight
- Discounts and special access to events (including Members-only opportunities)
- Discounts on eco-friendly membership apparel from the PWF Online Store
- Priority boarding on PacWhale Eco-Adventures vessels
- Discounts at Maui Ocean Center
- Youth membership level now includes the standard offerings listed above in addition to the following:
- Access to virtual classrooms
- Early access/discounts on select PWF educational opportunities
- Select membership levels (Guide, Leader and Hero levels) now include standard offerings listed above in addition to the following:
- Discounts on PacWhale Eco-Adventures tours
- Discounts on PacWhale Ocean Store purchases
- Free Member t-shirt and sticker
- All levels come with the intrinsic satisfaction of advancing PWF’s mission!
Are the current benefits that I have going to change?
All Members (new and existing) have access to new program offerings. Existing members can use the chart below to determine which existing levels (under the retiring program) match the new program levels. For example, the retiring Defender level now have access to the new Friend level offerings. Reference Question #2 for level offerings.
Matching Membership Levels
| Retiring Program (Membership Levels) | New Program (Membership Levels) |
|---|---|
| Discovery | Youth* |
| Kama’aina | Resident** |
| Legacy | Mentor** |
| Defender | Friend** |
| Explorer | Guide*** |
| Quest | Leader*** |
| Odyssey / Guardian / Protector | Hero*** |
* Youth offerings
** Standard offerings
*** Select offerings
Note: The Spirit and Voyager levels have no matching memberships in the new program. Existing Spirit and Voyager accounts will have access to the new Standard offerings.
Do I need to do anything if I am a current Member?
If you are an existing Member, you automatically have access to the new program offerings (See Questions #2 and #3 for details). When your existing membership expires, if you are NOT currently set-up for auto-renew, you will need to renew at one of the new membership levels.
Discovery, Spirit, Kama’aina, Legacy, Voyager, Defender, Explorer, Quest, Odyssey, Guardian and Protector memberships are now retired and no longer available for purchase. Auto-renew has been disabled on all retired membership levels. When your membership expires, you will need to transition to one of the newer levels to maintain your status as an active Member. You will be asked if you would like to set up auto-renew at checkout.
How do I auto-renew my membership?
Click HERE to access your account login. If you have not created a user account, you will find a link to do so on this same page. If you are having trouble logging in, there is also a link here that will prompt you to reset your password using the email address associated with the account.
When logged in, navigate to “Memberships” via the dropdown box on the right side of the welcome page. You can manage your account’s auto-renew preferences here. If you are having trouble managing your account, call 808-856-8353 or email a Development representative at [email protected].
Is my membership a one-time annual payment or can I pay monthly?
Monthly membership payment options are available at the Guide, Leader and Hero levels. However, monthly membership fees at these levels are locked in for a year and cannot be canceled before the end of the term.
How can I change my level if I choose to upgrade?
If your current membership has not yet expired but you would like to upgrade your account to one of the new levels, call 808-856-8353 or email a Development representative at [email protected].
What happens when my membership expires after the start of the new program?
When your existing membership expires, if you DO NOT have auto-renew enabled on your account and would like to maintain your status as a current Member, you will need to renew at one of the new membership levels when your existing membership expires.
How do I access my Member discounts?
Explorer, Quest, Odyssey, Protector and Guardian levels receive an email including Membership Promo Code Pass information for discounts on PacWhale Eco-Adventures tours. All new Guide, Leader and Hero levels can expect this email after registration. Discounts are only valid through the length of the membership. Blackout dates apply.
If your membership level includes discounts on PacWhale Ocean Store purchases, please use your registration email as proof of membership.
All Members receive discounts at the PWF Online Store. Log in to the Constituent Portal first for discounts to be applied at checkout. Click HERE to access your account login or create a new account using the email address associated with your PWF membership. When logged in, navigate to “Orders” via the dropdown box on the right side of the welcome page to access the store.
How are my fees used?
As a Member, you’re actively furthering our mission to protect the ocean through science and advocacy and inspire environmental stewardship. PWF memberships support our Research, Education and Conservation programs as we work together to mitigate the 5 Major Threats impacting marine environments and wildlife.
Are membership fees tax-deductible?
PWF is a 501(c)3 organization and donations are tax-deductible. The gift amount eligible for deduction can depend on several factors, such as the size and nature of the donation.
PWF does not provide legal, tax or accounting advice. You are encouraged to consult your professional advisor on tax matters.
PWF’s tax ID number (EIN) is 99-0207417.