Oliver Widger, an Oregon resident, made headlines when he left his job at a tire company and used his retirement funds to embark on a voyage to Hawaii with his feline companion, Phoenix. After weeks at sea, he finally arrived in Hawaii to a warm reception from enthusiastic supporters and followers who had been avidly tracking his journey on social media.
Upon his arrival at the Waikiki Yacht Club in Oahu, Widger was greeted by Hawaii Governor Josh Green and a crowd of well-wishers, including members of the press. Despite the nerves that come with facing such attention, Widger shared that he felt an odd sensation, not from seasickness, but from the need to maintain his balance amidst the excitement.
Widger’s story captured the hearts of many online as he recounted his decision to change his life path after being diagnosed with a condition that posed a risk of paralysis and realizing his dissatisfaction with his previous role as a manager. With nothing but determination and $10,000 in debt, Widger took a leap of faith to pursue his dream of purchasing a sailboat and circumnavigating the globe.
He taught himself to sail mostly via YouTube and moved from Portland to the Oregon coast. He spent months refitting the $50,000 boat he bought.
He set sail for Hawaii with Phoenix in late April, documenting their experiences for his more than 1 million followers on TikTok and 1.7 million followers on Instagram. He said he thinks his story, which made national news, resonated with people.
“I think a lot of people are, you know, you’re grinding at your job all day long and it doesn’t really matter how much money you make at this point, everybody’s just trying to do enough to get by and that just wears you out,” he said. “It’s just the world’s in a weird place, and I think people have seen that it’s possible to break out.”
Green presented Widger with a proclamation. Fans swarmed Widger after the news conference, many holding cameras and seeking selfies.
The scariest point of the trip came when a rudder failed, Widger said. Highlights included seeing dolphins and whales and periods of calm Pacific waters. “Being in the middle of the ocean when it was completely glass in every direction was an absurd feeling,” he said.
Widger, 29, said he never truly felt alone, since he was communicating with friends by means including video conference. But he also lamented not experiencing the open waters in a way that other sailors – who didn’t have access to tools like Starlink internet satellites – have in years before.
He said he may travel next to French Polynesia. But he said he had been focused on getting to Hawaii and not on what he’d do after that. He said he also needs to make repairs to his boat.
Copyright © 2025 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
