Adventuring Alaska

Set in South Central Alaska, this program is about experiencing and preserving one of America's final frontiers. Pacific Adventures i there when marine scientists make their way through glacial ice into a remote area to study harbor seals. We paddle the canoe trails system on the Kenai Peninsula, and fish for king salmon on the Kasilof River where motor boats are not allowed.

Myster of the Whale Song

This program documents the work of two scientists studying humpback whale behavior. Whale songs are complex, ever changing sounds emitted by males only. It is believed the songs have something to do with the mating process, and amazingly, humbacks in Hawaii are singing the same song as those in Japan or Mexico. It remains a mystery how they do that.

The Big Island

Gary Sprinkle's latest Pacific Adventures special features some unique stories found only on the Big Island.

Gary and photographer Sonny Ahuna document the work of Jim Kauahihaua, a geophysicist monitoring activity surrounding Kilauea Volcano. Besides learning one of the island's largest communities sits on an active volcano that will erupt again, Gary discovers many Hawaiian chants handed down actually document the volcano's history (Hula Halau Na Lei O Kaholoku makes an appearance).

Pacific Adventures will also take you from Waipio Valley on the island's north shore, where the Toko family farms taro to the south shore, where opelu fishermen still do things the traditional way.

Gary also features Sonny Keakealani, who has spent most of his life as a Big Island paniolo.

Molokai

Molokai is different from the other Hawaiian isalnds in that many of the people here still live partly off the land and sea. There is a concerted effort on this island to protect the natural resources. We will take you to Mo`omomi where Hawaiians manage the fishing ground, to the south shore where fish ponds are being rebuilt, and to the north shore where things are pretty much as they always have been.

The Last Frontier

This program begins in a rustic fishing village in old Manila and then continues on the island of Palawan about 400 miles to the south. We paddle one of the word's longest subterranean rivers, kayak in the blue lagoons and watch a man risk his life climbing for valuable birds nest.

Hawaiian Monk Seal

The Hawaiian monk seal is a precious and endangered species in Hawaii. If it is to survive the scientists involved in the Monk Seal Recovery Program will have to solve some of the modern day problems these animals face. "Hawaii's Wildlife Heritage" documents this effort.

Bringing Back the Fish

This program documents the efforts of Oceanic Institute to develop and implement an aquiculture program for the purpose of enhancing declining near shore fisheries in Hawaiian waters. The success of this program is determined largely by the contribution of local fishermen.

Surviving the Wild

This program deals with three important projects. It begins with the work being done in the wetlands where several species of Hawaiian birds, once on the brink of extinction, are making a comeback. The second segment documents the successful work being done with green sea turtles. The third segment follows a team of biologists into the forest to conduct an avian malaria study.

Feathers & Friends

This documentary following a team of biologists to Kaula Island, a small islet off Niihau where a large sea bird population resides. This show also features segments on Kauai's Shearwater Aid Stations and the Nuupia wetlands on windward Oahu.

Humpbacks In Hawaii

This show documents the work of Mark and Debbie Ferrari who have spent twenty years researching humpback whales in Hawaiian waters. The techniques used by the Ferrari's to identify migrating humpbacks range from photography to collecting whale skin for DNA testing. "Hawaii's Wildlife Heritage" explores the many questions surrounding these magnificent creatures including their sophisticated song sessions.

Hawaiian Rock Wallaby

Pacific Adventures traces the origin of the Rock Wallaby that colonized in Kalihi Valley some seventy-five years ago. The marsupial is native to Australia and become established in Hawaii when three animals escaped from a zoo keeper. Scientists believe Hawaii's rock wallabies have evolved into a new species.

Brown Tree Snake

Pacific Adventures documents the destruction caused by the brown tree snake on neighboring Guam, literally wiping out nearly all bird life there. It threatens to do the same in Hawaii. This program illustrates what is being done to keep this dangerous invader out of the Hawaiian Islands.

Sea Birds of Midway

This was the first of the "Hawaii's Wildlife Heritage" series. It documents the various species of seaboards that inhabit the island of Midway. In addition, there is a segment on a marine biologist conducting a biopsy on a live hammerhead shark pup.

Project Nene

Hawaii's state bird, the Nene or Hawaiian goose, may not survive unless wildlife biologists are able to determine where the bird can thrive. Research is taking place from Volcanoes National Park to Slimbridge, England. Amazingly, and sadly, there are now more Nene in England than in the Hawaiian islands.

Destiny of the Dolphins

Dolphins are air breathing mammals just like us. It has been scientifically proven that dolphins are of high intelligence and that they socialize much the way we do. There are many similarities between humans and dolphins and yet we continue to slaughter them senselessly. "Destiny of the Dolphins" explores the plight of these animals and the work being done to help them. In the program, we learn that dolphins are their own best ambassadors.

French Frigate Shoals

French Frigate Shoals in the northeast Hawaiian islands offers a unique opportunity to wildlife biologists who live and work within a huge seaboard population. Green sea turtles come here to lay their eggs and the program documents the U.S. Fish and Wildlife personnel digging out stranded hatchlings. And our camera is rolling when the Hawaiian Monk Seal Recovery Team plucks an abandoned pup out of the wild.

Shadow of the Shark

Documents the work being done by marine biologists to better understand shark behavior. shot in the Hawaiian islands and the Caribbean, this program also features a segment in which Gary Sprinkle dives with the sharks.

Alaska

Pacific Adventures: "Alaska" takes you to Shelter Island just outside Juneau. We home base at two fishing lodges owned and operated by four men, all former Hawaii residents. In addition to fishing for salmon on the Inside Passage, we spin for trout in a mountain stream, pan for gold in a famous Alaskan creek, visit Mendenhall glacier by helicopter, and go by float plane to a wilderness lake.

Palau

Pacific Adventures: "Palau" takes us to our Pacific neighbor in Micronesia. We paddle kayaks through the picturesque rock islands, go by river to remote village of Ngardmau, drive at famous Big Dropoff, visit a giant clam farm, and snorkel with three to five million jellyfish in a isolated rock island lake.

Sri Lanka

The Sri Lanka program takes us from seaside fishing villages to upcountry tea plantations. The town of Kandy is where the country's most sacred relic lies...in the Temple of the Tooth. Once a year the esala perehera takes place here, a festival and pageant to remember. We also watch the stilt fishermen cast their lines into the surf and the elephants frolic in running rivers.

Destination Midway

Midway Atoll, in the northwest Hawaiian islands, was under the jurisdiction of the US Navy until 1997. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages the atoll now and has entered into a partnership with a private company. In exchange for maintaining the facilities on the atoll, Midway Phoenix Corporation has started fishing and diving operations. For the first time in more than 50 years Midway Island is open to the public. It is becoming a popular destination for the eco-traveler.

Backwoods of Banff

"Backwoods of Banff" is appropriately titled. Pacific Adventures takes you into the backwoods of the Canadian Rockies where you will experience snowshoeing, ice fishing, dog sledding, rock climbing up the face of a frozen waterfall, and cross country skiing with a former Nordic Olympian. This sporty eco-adventure takes place without compromising the land.

Yap, Land of Stone Money

Pacific Adventures discovers the Land of the Stone Money. Huge discs quarried on neighboring Palau sailed by canoe back to Yap. Ancient stone fish traps are plentiful, some are still being used. Traditional dance still practiced and village life has changed little in hundreds of years. Yap is home to giant manta rays - we mingle 60 feet down.

San Juan Island

San Juan Island off the coast of Washington state is fast becoming a favorite destination is the Pacific Northwest. Pacific Adventures takes you through the islands by ferry, float plane and kayak. We also showcase oyster and alpaca farms and document the work of a marine biologist tracking resident orca whales and a wildlife hospital.