False killer whales, an apex predator in Hawaiian waters, are facing a critical decline, with fewer than 140 individuals remaining, marking them as the most endangered whale population in the United States. A recent study conducted over seven years by researchers from the U.S. and Japan highlights the impact of environmental changes and food shortages on this population. The study utilized drone technology to monitor approximately half of the population, revealing alarming findings, including significant weight loss in individual whales and a record low overall body condition in 2020, coinciding with a severe marine heatwave. The researchers suggest that competition with fisheries for high-energy prey is leading to chronic nutritional stress among these whales. The study also noted disparities in health among different social groups, particularly those that travel extensive distances in search of food. The decline of this species not only threatens marine biodiversity but also erodes cultural heritage in Hawaiʻi, as these whales are integral to the local culture and history.