Hawaii Winter Baseball (HWB), based in Honolulu, Hawaii, was a professional baseball league in the Hawaiian islands. It was loosely affiliated with Major League Baseball (MLB).

History

The HWB league first began play in 1993. Funded by Major League Baseball, the league drew players from the MLB, Nippon Professional Baseball, the Korea Baseball Organization, and independent leagues. Games were played in Hawaii from October to December. The HWB league first folded after the 1997 season as it was too heavily reliant on its limited funding from MLB.

In 2006, the league returned for its sixth season. It was the only winter league to feature both top Japanese and American talent. However, this new league folded following the 2008 season when the contract with MLB expired.

Alumni

Todd Helton was the first Hawaii Winter Baseball alumni inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame (2024). Ichiro Suzuki was the second, inducted in July 2025.Source:

Former teams

• Hilo Stars

• Kauai Emeralds

• Kaneohe Bay Dawgs

• Kona Man O'Wars

• Kona Navigators

• Lahaina Whalers

• Maui Stingrays

The Kaneohe Bay Dawgs and Kona Man O'Wars were announced in August 1996 as expansions teams to begin play in 1997. The Kaneohe announcement was rescinded in October 1996, and Kona did not play in 1997.

20062008 teams

Champions

• 1993 Hilo Stars (No play-off)

• 1994 Kauai Emeralds (No play-off)

• 1995 Maui Stingrays

• 1996 Maui Stingrays

• 1997 Honolulu Sharks

• 2006 North Shore Honu

• 2007 North Shore Honu (Play-off rained out)

• 2008 Waikiki BeachBoys

References

External links

• Official Website