The 56th Annual Special Olympics Hawaiʻi State Summer Games has turned the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa into a three-day hub of competition and celebration this weekend, with athletes with intellectual disabilities filling campus venues. Organizers said roughly 2,000 volunteers are staffing sports, ceremonies and support services across the university, and opening ceremonies were scheduled for Friday night at Les Murakami Stadium.
Volunteers Power The Weekend
As reported by Hawaii News Now, Special Olympics Hawaiʻi anticipates about 2,000 volunteers for the summer games alone, on top of year-round coaches and staff, and the outlet noted that opening ceremonies were set for Friday at Les Murakami Stadium. Volunteer coordinator Dallas Jenkins told the station, "So without our volunteers, nobody in this office can do their job," and said many people sign up because of the athletes' joy.
"Now we can put the full event back to the University of Hawaii," Special Olympics Hawaiʻi president Dan Epstein told Hawaii News Now, noting that track and field, swimming and powerlifting are being held on campus while softball will run at UH and at Sand Island. Epstein said competing on college surfaces helps athletes feel acknowledged and recognized for their months of training.
How The Campus And Community Participate
The university's facilities map lists Les Murakami Stadium on lower campus and shows how events are spread across UH property, which helps organizers stage simultaneous competitions without major conflicts. See the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa facilities guide for venue locations.
Special Olympics Hawaiʻi's event calendar lists the State Summer Games as running this weekend (June 5–7) and highlights a "Cheer for Champions" kickoff at Les Murakami Stadium, along with volunteer sign-up information and a contact email. Per Special Olympics Hawaii, funds raised support year-round training, competitions and health services provided at no cost to athletes across the islands.
