A benefit concert celebrating The Whalesong Project, a Web site where people can listen to whales singing off the Honua'ula Coast of Maui, will be held at Studio Maui at 8 p.m. March 19.

The songs are transmitted through a live underwater microphone that has been attached to a solar-powered buoy called Hokumoanalani, or heavenly ocean star. The whale songs are converted into an mp3 stream and can be heard at www.whalesong.net.

The system has been refined over the past few years and has broadcast live whalesongs from Maui for eight seasons. The site is run by volunteers and operates on a small annual budget.

"The songs this year are spectacular and are especially interesting at night and early morning," said Whalesong founder and executive director Dan Sythe. He said children are especially fascinated by the songs.

Whalesong is a nonprofit Hawai'i corporation.

Featured musician at the March 19 benefit is David Rothenberg, who is releasing his new book and CD, "The Thousand Mile Song — Whale Music in a Sea of Sound." Tickets are on a $15 to $30 sliding scale and will benefit The Whalesong Project.