Solo female rower completes historic trek from California to Hawaii
By Jeremiah Estrada
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HONOLULU (KITV) — One woman has completed her goal to become the first American woman and the youngest woman to row from California to Hawaii solo on Friday night.
Kelsey Pfendler docked in the Ala Wai Harbor on Friday night, July 3, 2026, after her more than 2,400-mile trek from Monterey, California to Oahu, Hawaii.
To complete her journey, she rowed a total of 43 days, 17 hours and 55 minutes across the Pacific.
After docking in the Ala Wai, Pfendler was greeted on land with cheers from the excited crowd and several flower leis.
See more of her journey on her Instagram @yourowkelsey and on her online journey tracker.
The current world record, 86 days, 10 hours and 5 minutes, is held by Lia Ditton. Before Pfendler, only two women have ever completed a solo row to Hawaii.
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