55th annual Special Olympics Hawaii kicks at UH Manoa
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Special Olympics Hawai'i athletes are ready to go the distance as the 55th Annual State Summer Games get underway this weekend.The Opening Ceremonies began Friday morning at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa's Les Murakami Stadium, with hundreds of athletes, coaches, and supporters from across the state gathering to celebrate one of the organization's biggest events of the year. WakeUp2Day's Chris Latronic was live on location, speaking with Dan Epstein, president and CEO of Special Olympics Hawai'i, and Kenji Roy Momohara, a Special Olympics athlete, to preview the festivities.
Athletes have been training since February to compete in events such as powerlifting, softball, swimming, and track and field. The Summer Games run from Friday, June 6 through Sunday, June 8, with multiple venues across Honolulu hosting competitions and special programs.
The Opening Ceremonies also marked the finish line for participants in the First Hawaiian Bank Troy Barboza Law Enforcement Torch Run. Now in its 40th year, the torch run honors Honolulu Police Officer Troy Barboza, who coached Special Olympics athletes before he was tragically killed in the line of duty. Law enforcement officers from across city, county, state, and federal agencies join the run annually to raise awareness and support for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Celebrate the Summer Solstice at Capitol Modern
Friday, June 6
8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Softball (UH Mānoa and Sand Island)
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Opening Ceremonies (Les Murakami Stadium)
6:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. – Cheer for Champions Fundraiser (Les Murakami Stadium)
Saturday, June 7
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. – Healthy Athletes Program (UH Mānoa and Kaiser High School)
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Track and Field (Kaiser High School)
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Powerlifting (UH Mānoa, Warrior Recreation Center)
9:15 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Swimming (Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex)
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. – Softball Finals (UH Mānoa)
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Victory Dance (UH Mānoa)
Sunday, June 8
8:15 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Swimming Finals (UH Mānoa)
8:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Powerlifting Finals (UH Mānoa)
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Track and Field Finals (Kaiser High School)
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Les Murakami Stadium (UH Mānoa) – Opening Ceremonies, Softball Finals
Sand Island Softball Complex – Softball competitions
Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex – Swimming events
Warrior Recreation Center (UH Mānoa) – Powerlifting
Henry J. Kaiser High School – Track and Field
For full details on the event and volunteer opportunities, visit Special Olympics Hawai'i.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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