Former MLB veteran & 2-time Gold Glove winner Kolten Wong

Former MLB veteran & 2-time Gold Glove winner Kolten Wong

Kolten Wong is one of Hawaiʻi's most accomplished Major League Baseball players. The Hilo native and Kamehameha Hawaiʻi alumnus recently announced his retirement after an 11-year career with the St. Louis Cardinals, Milwaukee Brewers, Seattle Mariners, and Los Angeles Dodgers. A former All-American at the University of Hawaiʻi, Wong became the first position player in program history selected in the first round of the MLB Draft. He went on to establish himself as one of baseball's premier defensive infielders, earning two Gold Glove Awards while competing on the game's biggest stages. In this episode, Wong reflects on retirement, his journey from Hilo to the major leagues, and the lessons he learned over more than a decade in professional baseball.

NFL Veteran & UH Football All-Time Great Rich Miano

Rich Miano has been a fixture in Hawaii sports for decades. After moving to Hawaii as a teenager in the late 1970s, he became a standout athlete at Kaiser High School before walking on at the University of Hawaii. Following an impressive career in Manoa, Miano was selected by the New York Jets in the 1985 NFL Draft and enjoyed an 11-year pro career. After his playing days, he returned to UH as an assistant coach under June Jones and helped guide the program to some of its most successful seasons. Today, he remains deeply committed to developing Hawaii's next generation of athletes through his speed and quickness camps and his work with the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame. In this episode, Miano reflects on his difficult transition to life in Hawaii, his journey from walk-on to NFL veteran, and the lessons that continue to shape his approach to coaching, mentorship, and leadership.

UH athletics director Matt Elliott

Hawaii News Now is now the home of University of Hawaii athletics and to celebrate this agreement, we sat down with UH athletics director Matt Elliott. Just one year into his tenure, he's already made a tremendous impact on the department-- boosting fundraising, strengthening the university's relationship with the community, and laying a foundation for long-term success. Elliott joined UH after extensive experience with the Hawaii Community Foundation and 13 years with UCLA Athletics. In this episode, we talk about his career journey, the changing landscape of collegiate sports, and what makes UH fans unlike any other.

St. Louis football head coach Tupu Alualu

'You're not just a St. Louis head coach' Tupu Alualu is a state championship winning head coach and entering his third season leading the St. Louis Crusaders. It's a program he's been around for most of his life and one that he is beyond proud to represent as a former star player, longtime assistant, and now the man in charge of one of Hawaii's most storied teams. His journey to Kalaepohaku is fascinating and in this episode, he shares his emotional story of moving to Hawaii from Samoa as a young boy and how football changed his life.

Former UH football great and hall of famer Chad Owens

Chad Owens is among the most electrifying players in University of Hawaii football history. His journey to success serves as an inspiration. The Roosevelt alum joined the Rainbow Warriors as a walk-on and went on to enjoy a record-setting All-American collegiate career. The playmaking receiver and returner was recently inducted into the UH Circle of Honor and is a member of the Canadian Football League Hall of Hame, Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame, and Polynesian Football Hall of Fame.