Hōkūleʻa Completes Transit Through Panama Canal and Returns to Pacific Waters
By PVS Hawaii
Newsletter
After two days of transit through the Panama Canal, iconic voyaging canoe Hōkūleʻa reached the Panama city of Balboa on Wednesday at 2:54 p.m. EST. The canoe went through three sets of locks on the man-made waterway and returned to Pacific waters for the first time in nearly two years. Because Hōkūleʻa has no engines, and because of the turbulence and currents within the canal, the canoe was safely towed by a powerful work vessel – DWS Linda – through the canal.
Crewmembers moored the double-hulled canoe at Balboa Yacht Club and will remain docked in Balboa for about seven days. From Balboa, Hōkūleʻa will depart for the Galapagos Islands, a sail that is expected to take approximately 10 days.
While in Balboa, Hōkūleʻa crew will engage with several indigenous organizations and leaders of the Panamanian community. Crewmembers will also use their time in Balboa to provision the vessel for her upcoming sail to the Galapagos Islands and then Rapa Nui, ensuring she is in exceptional condition for the remainder of her voyage home to the Hawaiian Islands.
The crew enjoys the little ferry ride from Colon to the Balboa side of Panama.The braddahs looking sharp on our holoholo huakaʻi day.Piled into our taxi van and ready to go check out some locks.The crew watches as a cargo ship goes through a small lock in the Panama Canal.The crew watches as a cargo ship goes through a small lock in the Panama Canal.The crew takes a trip to the Mira Flores lock center and museum.The Mira Flores Lock at the Panama Canal – the last lock before reaching the Pacific Ocean.Our escort vessel, the Gershon II makes its way through Mira Flores Lock.Our escort vessel, the Gershon II makes its way through Mira Flores Lock.Beyond the last lock gate is the Pacific Ocean.The crew enjoys their time at the Mira Flores Lock with KITV reporter Paula Akana.The crew enjoys their time at the Mira Flores Lock with KITV reporter Paula Akana.The crew takes a walk through the museum, learning a bit of the history of the building of the Canal.The crew takes a walk through the museum, learning a bit of the history of the building of the Canal.Duane seems to have been a laborer on the Panama Canal in a past life. Look alike fun in the museum.Catching Zzzʻs in Panama.Visitors watch as a cruise ship makes its way into the Mira Flores lock.Bruce and Wally watch as a cargo ship makes its way through the new Canal in the distance.Among the crowd Wally, Bruce and Anuschka watch as the cruise ship enters the lock.The crew unloads empty food boxes in preparation for the arrival of the next crew.The crew unloads empty food boxes in preparation for the arrival of the next crew.The crew unloads empty food boxes in preparation for the arrival of the next crew.
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