Hōkūleʻa Crew Celebrates the Holidays in Caribbean Waters
Crewmembers aboard the historic vessel Hōkūleʻa celebrated Christmas Day at sea while in transit to Panama where they will clear customs before crossing the Panama Canal.
With approximately a week to go before Hōkūleʻa reaches Panama, the crew took the opportunity to decorate the canoe with festive trimmings to get into the holiday spirit while they spend the holidays away from their families and loved ones.
Hōkūleʻa was sailing along the coast of Cuba on Dec. 25 and will arrive in Panama around December 31, where the crew will possibly ring in the New Year. Once she re-enters the Pacific Ocean, Hōkūleʻa will make stops in the Galapagos Islands, Rapa Nui and French Polynesia before her sail west back to a celebratory homecoming at Magic Island in June 2017.

Leg 26 of the Hōkūleʻa Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage. PC: Justyn Ah Chong/Polynesian Voyaging Society/ʻŌiwi TV.

Elf Darienne cooks up some veggies to include with the corn beef hash meal. PC: Justyn Ah Chong/Polynesian Voyaging Society/ʻŌiwi TV.

Kaniela unties a knot from the spar. PC: Justyn Ah Chong/Polynesian Voyaging Society/ʻŌiwi TV.

The crew works diligently to re-rig the main sail. PC: Justyn Ah Chong/Polynesian Voyaging Society/ʻŌiwi TV.





