Rare Whales Sighted On Waikiki Beach HONOLULU, HI -- Two rare, whiteback, redneck whales were sighted along the shore of Honolulu's famed Waikiki beach this week. Marine biology officials from the University of Hawaii were called by beach lifeguards to identify the whales. Officials determined that the whales were merely visiting Hawaii waters from their mainland US home in the Missisippi River. Whales are not rare along Waikiki beach. Thousands are sighted by local residents each day. However, the whiteback, redneck whale is unusual for both the skin color, which is translucent, and the high pitched screaching sound it makes when looking at food prices in Waikiki restaurants. Officals tagged and released the whales to return to their habitat. They reportedly venture into Hawaii waters 'once in a lifetime.' Moments after the whales were photographed by Aloha reporter Ron McElfresh, the elder whale could be seen breaching the waters just off Queen's Surf. NEXT PHOTO PREVIOUS PHOTO PHOTO NOTES Actually, this was a delightful moment. My Grandmother, who claims to be 102, took a spill in the water just a few moments later when a wave smacked her down in the sand. The concrete structure and area behind them is called 'Walls' to local folks. I usually bodyboard in the surf near there. Joshua and Jonathan also learned to surf along the beach just behind the wall. The photo in the story above was taken in early 1995.