Hōkūleʻa Completes Transit Through Panama Canal and Returns to Pacific Waters
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.
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.
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