Happy weekend, Hawaii! As we wrap up another week, here are the key stories that made headlines in the Aloha State.
In a significant moment for Hawaii’s sports community, former Major League Baseball player Kolten Wong has announced his retirement from professional baseball. Wong, a 34-year-old Hilo native and former University of Hawaii standout, shared the news during an event at UH’s Les Murakami Stadium.
After spending 11 seasons in MLB, he last played in the big leagues in 2023, having recently signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles that was short-lived.
Wong expressed his desire to focus more on his family, stating, “Pretty much right now, I’m done. I’ve kind of come to the conclusion that I’m probably going to be hanging them up.” He emphasized the joys of being a father and the importance of embracing his new role.
Known for his defensive prowess, Wong won Gold Gloves in 2019 and 2020 while with the St. Louis Cardinals, the team that drafted him 22nd overall in the 2011 draft. He also played for the Milwaukee Brewers and ended his big league career with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2023.
In other news, Maui County will begin moving 400,000 tons of debris generated by the devastating Lahaina wildfires to the Central Maui Landfill starting June.
This effort follows months of clearing debris from over 1,500 properties impacted by the August 8 fires, with the initial debris being temporarily stored in Olowalu, a site that faced community environmental concerns. The decision to transport the debris to Puʻunēnē marks the culmination of efforts to establish a permanent disposal site.
Crews will undertake this significant operation beginning with construction efforts at the new site, expected to be completed in June. Each day, 50 trucks will make multiple trips, adhering to safety protocols while navigating a 19-mile route from Olowalu to the landfill.
In legislative news, a new bill is making its way through the ranks that would allow sedans to have window tints similar to those afforded to trucks and SUVs.
House Bill 226 seeks to update Hawaii’s vehicle tinting laws, which have not seen significant changes in over four decades. State Rep. Darius Kila, the bill’s author, argues that sedans have been unjustly excluded from factory-tint exemptions that benefit other vehicle types.
He noted that collaboration with various stakeholders, including law enforcement and the tinting industry, shaped the bill’s development over the past three years. If signed into law, the legislation will also require passengers to roll down their windows during law enforcement stops for enhanced transparency.
Meanwhile, in a unique social media phenomenon, Oliver Widger has sparked significant interest as he embarks on a sailing journey from Oregon to Hawaii with his cat, Phoenix.
Having quit his job, Widger’s story resonates with many who are seeking an escape from the mundanity of everyday work life. With over a million followers across TikTok and Instagram, he attributes his newfound popularity to an overarching desire for personal freedom among his audience.
Widger’s journey was prompted by a diagnosis that reshaped his view of life, compelling him to leave his managerial role and pursue sailing—an adventure he believed would provide fulfillment over financial gain.
When it comes to university news, the University of Hawaii is navigating the hiring process for a new athletic director with optimism.
UH President Wendy Hensel reported a strong applicant pool for the Manoa athletic director position, although it appears that former Athletic Director Craig Angelos will not be among the candidates interviewed this time around. Angelos, who was dismissed in late 2022 due to performance issues, reapplied but was informed he would not receive an interview amid ongoing efforts to find a suitable replacement.
The university aims to have the position filled by the end of the summer, with interviews scheduled for late May.
In a disconcerting incident, a Hawaiian Airlines flight was evacuated at San Diego International Airport earlier this week following a false bomb threat.
A military member, identified as John Stea, was arrested for making the threat during a pre-departure announcement, resulting in a swift response from law enforcement agencies. The aircraft, which was set to fly from San Diego to Honolulu, was thoroughly searched, and no explosives were found.
This week’s recap highlights key developments from the realms of sports, community safety, legislative updates, and personal journeys.
Stay connected for more updates and enjoy a great weekend ahead in Hawaii!
image source from：https://spectrumlocalnews.com/hi/hawaii/news/2025/05/23/top-hawaii-stories-of-the-week–may-17-23–2025
