Oregon Man Sails to Hawaii With Cat, Inspires Many

Oliver Widger, a 29-year-old from Oregon diagnosed with Klippel-Feil Syndrome, completed a solo 24-25 day sailing journey from Oregon to Hawaii with his cat, Phoenix. With no prior open-ocean experience, he taught himself to sail using YouTube and social media resources, sharing his adventure with over a million followers. Widger quit his job and liquidated his retirement savings to pursue the voyage, motivated by a desire to break free from corporate life. He was warmly welcomed upon arrival in Hawaii by cheering fans, Governor Josh Green, and a fleet of local boats. The journey included challenges such as a rudder failure and highlights like encounters with dolphins and whales. Widger plans to stay in Hawaii for six months before continuing on to French Polynesia.