Kauai Pickleball Celebrates Christmas

Kauai's southside pickleball players gathered at the Hanapepe Tennis Courts this week for some fun Christmas play.  The hub of Kauai pickleball is the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center Gym, but over the Holidays, the youngsters have gym priority, so the pickleball group moves outside for two weeks.  Gym play is normally Tuesday and Thursday.  Outside play is on Fridays.  For these two weeks, play will be T-TH-F.  Mele Kalikimaka.  More info:  www.kauaipickleball.shutterfly.com

Five Fun Friday Pickleball Facts-Hawaii

Kauai Halloween Pickleball Demonstration Clinic A Big Success

The second Demonstration Pickleball Clinic on Kauai's south side of the island was a big success, with 40 new, interested, players.  A staff of 12 Kauai club players were also on hand to welcome the new players and guide them through a presentation that included rules, scoring, technique, strategy, and court positioning.  State Ambassador Jack Hodges (a resident of Kauai) gave a brief introduction to the game and then turned the instruction over to club players.  The clinic was sponsored by the Kauai Department of Parks and Recreation and was conducted at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center Gym.  Department staff on hand included Cindy Duterte, Melanie Okamoto and James Kealalio.

New Kauai Pickleball Attendance Record

New attendance record today--10/22/15--for our gym pickleball group.  We had 47 players at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center Gym.  Our numbers continue to grow.  Twice last week we had 30+ players and Tuesday of this week...36.

Information On Kauai Senior Olympics Pickleball Tournament

This will be the first ever Senior Olympics Pickleball Tournament on Kauai.  Proceeds go to the Kauai Ho'ohui Recreation Foundation, an organization that works in partnership with the Department of Parks and Recreation to help promote the involvement of Kauai's people in fun and worthwhile recreational activities and events. 

Kauai To Host 2016 Senior Olympics Pickleball

The Kauai Department of Parks and Recreation has announced that the 2016 Senior Olympics Pickleball Tournament will take place on Kauai at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center in the town of Kalaheo.  The event, part of the Aloha State Games, is scheduled for March 11-13.  The 2016 Senior Olympics Games is a qualifier for the 2017 National Senior Games.  This is an "open" tournament, meaning players may enter from anywhere in the world.  The tournament will be limited to the first 100 entries.  The tournament is USAPA sanctioned.  Players must be a member of the USAPA.  Entry form is available at:  www.kauaipickleball.shutterfly.com

www.kauaipickleball.shutterfly.com

Pickleball Visitors To Kauai

26 players today on our four indoor courts at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center Gym. Everyone is improving and it is great to see! We welcomed four new visitors today. L to R: Dianne Detweiler, Bev Rambicure (both from Helendale, CA), Denise Farwell (Minnesota--just moved to Kauai), Rich Valdez (Santa Cruz, CA), Jack Hodges--Kauai Pickleball Ambassador. Join us for free drop-in pickleball if you are planning to visit Kauai.

Pickleball Petroglyph (Pictograph)

This pickleball pictograph shows the grounds of a home on the island of Kauai (in Koloa). Look closely at the lines created by "ancients."  See (barely) the center net line and the no-volley zone lines?  You can almost hear the joy and laughter of a long ago Kauai hui (family and friends) as they played pickleball within the confines of their home.

Alex Hamner and Kauai Pickleball

Four time National Pickleball Champion Alex Hamner attended our drop-in pickleball session today at Kalaheo Neighborhood Center (Kauai).  44 players--including five mainland visitors--were treated to a half hour clinic and then three hours of play.  It was great having Alex give us her insights, watching her play, and listening to suggestions to improve our games.  Many mahalos to a wonderful lady.  Have you seen Alex play live or on video?  More info:  www.kauaipickleball.shutterfly.com

www.kauaipickleball.shutterfly.com

National Pickleball Champion Visits Kauai

Four time National Pickleball Champion Alex Hamner will appear at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center Gym (Island of Kauai) to play pickleball and give any interested persons free instruction on one of “America’s Fastest Growing Sports.”  Alex (and her doubles partner Jennifer Lucore) has won more women's doubles tournaments and gold medals than anyone in the 50 year history of this game.  Stop by to hear her words of advice.  Dress to play if you would like.  Equipment provided.  Date: Thursday, Aug. 13th.  Time: 9:00 a.m.

The Origins Of Pickleball

Ever wonder how this amazing game that you love so much got started? Well, don’t miss this episode of I ♥ Pickleball! Pickleball Channel was fortunate enough to go to Bainbridge Island, the birthplace of the sport, to speak with one of the founders of pickleball, Barney McCallum. Join us as we take you back to a rainy island day when the kids had nothing to do, and some charismatic men decided to make up a game! Learn how the founders made up the rules, how it spread off of Bainbridge Island, and how it eventually became the amazing sport we know today.  This is one episode you do not want to miss! Watch it now!

Note:  The picture is a screen shot.  You will have to click "Watch It Now" above.

Pack Your Pickleball Paddle

Still not sure if you want to pack your paddle when visiting Kauai?  This is the core group you will get a chance to play with and against.  We have moved pickleball play back indoors at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center Gym.  This is our first week indoors.  Play will continue in the gym until the end of May.  We also play outdoors at the Hanapepe Tennis Center.  More info:  www.kauaipickleball.shutterfly.com

Pickleball Locations

www.kauaipickleball.shutterfly.com

Our usapa.org website lists places to play by state.  Kauai currently has four pickleball venues open to the public and a number of private pickleball courts (clubs, hotels, resorts) accessible to members/owners only.  It's all good, as pickleball is thriving on the Garden Island.  Go to our usapa.org website or www.kauaipickleball.shutterfly.com for more information.

The Kauai pickleball locations.

Kalaheo Neighborhood Center Gym

Hanapepe Tennis Courts

Princeville Emmalani Park

Kauai Christian Fellowship Center-Koloa

Pickleball Visitors To The Garden Island

Barbara and Ron Mertzlufft

Kauai Pickleball players said a fond farewell today to Barbara and Ron Mertzlufft (Penn Valley, CA).  They spent two weeks on the island and rarely missed any pickleball drop-in sessions.  We all thoroughly enjoyed the fun and competitive play.  July was a busy month for mainland picklers--Kris Anderson (Newport Beach), Jim Lakomy (Sacramento, CA), Carol and Mike Dickerson (Georgia), Chris Montgomery (Colorado Springs, CO), Melissa and Ron Edmundson (Paso Robles, CA), Ron Miller (Fountain Hills, AZ).  All played multiple sessions with us during their visits.  Aloha and Mahalo to our new mainland friends.

Ron and Melissa Edmunson

Pickleball Etiquette

Visiting Kauai?  Pack Your Paddle.  www.kauaipickleball.shutterfly.com

Any questions on the correct and courteous way to acknowledge a game well-played?  Learn Game etiquette.  Anybody can tap the large end of the paddle.  Kind of like fist bumping.  The respectful way....tap handle ends.  It takes a little more time and is a little more personal.

Pickleball Golden Weekend For Kauaians

To See More Pictures:  www.kauaipickleball.shutterfly.com

Alana Fujikawa (Kalaheo) and Judy Honda (Waimea) won gold medals at the recently completed Aloha State Games Senior Olympics Pickleball Tournament (Women's Doubles 60+ Division).  The Games were played at the Holua Tennis and Pickleball Center in Kona (Big Island of Hawaii) July 10-12, 2015.  This was the first-ever Senior Olympics Pickleball Tournament for the State of Hawaii and was sanctioned by the USAPA. Other Kauaians also winning medals: Fran Graziano-Princeville (Bronze--Men's Doubles 60+) and Jack Hodges-Kalaheo (Gold--Men's Doubles 60+; Bronze--Mixed Doubles 60+).  Other Kauaians participating were Jimmy Honda and Dean Fujikawa, both of whom won matches in the tournament, but did not make it to the medal rounds.

L-R: Alana and Judy 

Jack Hodges With Doubles Partner Steve Lopez

Jack Hodges With Doubles Partner Maris van der Lee

Fran Graziano With Doubles Partner Mike Whitley

Pickleball Kauai Blog About Pukaball On The Garden Island.

Check out our website at:  www.kauaipickleball.shutterfly.com

Puka is the Hawaiian word for hole.  With so many holes in a wiffle ball, it seems only natural, here in the islands, to use "pidgin English" poetic license and refer to this game, on occasion, as pukaball.   Now, to convince our USAPA to change the name.......