I investigated a suspected decline in Hawaiian humpback whales (Megaptera novaengliae) in the Four Island area around Maui, Hawaii, from 1981 to 1986. Observations were made from commercial whalewatching boats during the peak of the winter breeding season. Relative encounter rates differed among the years studied, but there was no evidence of a decline in the relative rate of individual humpback, humpback pod, and calf encounters. A gradual increase in relative calf encounter rate was noted. Cows and calves may be deserting traditional resting areas near the Maui shore in favor of waters 3-4 km offshore.