MA'ALAEA, Maui — With the number of humpback whale sightings increasing steadily around Maui in recent weeks, the Pacific Whale Foundation is honoring their return during the annual Welcome Home the Whales Celebration on Saturday.

The Welcome Home the Whales Celebration will include a blessing of the whales and whale-watch fleet by Rev. Kealahou C. Alika at 11:45 a.m. at The Harbor Shops at Ma'alaea.

There will also be a short entertainment program with live music and a chance for participants to write a "wish for the whales" on origami paper. They will learn how to fold the wish into an origami whale that will be sent to California to be added to the "Curtain of Whales" — a traveling exhibit featuring more than 30,000 origami whales.

Throughout the day Saturday, the whale foundation will offer Welcome Home the Whales Celebration cruises, led by foundation researchers who have recently returned from studying humpback whales in Australia.

The whale watches will take place at 8 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. from Ma'alaea Harbor and 8:30 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. from Lahaina Harbor.

The cruise includes free refreshments (soda and fruit juices), plus a free whale poster and color whale guide for each party and a free Junior Naturalist program for the kids.

Whale sightings are guaranteed or participants will receive a Just a Fluke coupon for a free trip on any other regular Pacific Whale Foundation whale watch this season.

The foundation has priced the celebration tickets at $24.95 for adults; kids ages 7 to 12 are $17; and kids under 6 go free (one free child per paying adult).

Book online at www.pacificwhale.org and save 10 percent. Members of the Pacific Whale Foundation will save 20 percent whether they book online or by phone.

For reservations, call 808-249-8811, ext. 1.