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ALOHA PLAYS HERE | MELE KALIKIMAKA | DECEMBER 2025

ARACHEL LIFE’S WORK HAILI INVITES YOU IN Photo: David Wetter

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Photo: David Wetter

FROM THE EDITOR

December 2025

ecently, I was invited to celebrate Waipahu pickleballer Bernard Yuen’s 99th birthday. Before he was whisked off to play a few games, we had a chance to ask him a quick question:

What’s the best advice you’ve received in 99 years? He didn’t hesitate. “Play more pickleball.” There couldn’t have been a more perfect answer. On the surface, it’s a cheeky encouragement to get on the court more. But it also says something deeper. Playing more pickleball starts with gratitude, for having found something we genuinely love to do, and choice, because making pickleball part of our lives doesn’t just happen by accident. We make room for it. As we close out the year, we’ll be taking a short, intentional holiday breather. Our weekly newsletters will return on January 6, 2026, and our next magazine issue will arrive in February. This pause is by design, and my hope is that you’re able to take one too — a moment to slow down and return to what matters most. Let’s heed Bernard’s advice: may there be plenty of moments, now and in the year ahead, to play more pickleball. For now, wishing you a joyful Christmas, and I can’t wait to see you on the courts next year...we’re already dreaming up what’s next. Mele Kalikimaka, Jen Wilson Editor, Hawaii Pickleball Magazine HPM

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HAWAI‘I EDITION | ISSUE #13 | DECEMBER 2025 ALOHA PLAYS HERE. ALL LOCAL. ALWAYS. PROUDLY PUBLISHED BY HAWAII PICKLEBALL MEDIA GROUP

MAHALO TO OUR CONTRIBUTORS! MAHALO TO OUR REFEREE TRACEY BENNETT FOR HER WHIP-SMART COLUMN, COACH KYLE PAREDES FOR HIS COURT IQ, AND COVER PHOTOGRAPHER DAVID WETTER FOR BRINGING OUR COVER STORY TO LIFE. THANK YOU TO THE COURTS AND COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE 808 WHO PARTICIPATED IN OUR 12 DAYS OF HAWAI‘I PICKLEBALL CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY GREETINGS. AND A HEARTFELT MAHALO TO OUR AMBASSADORS FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS AND HEART ALL YEAR, AND TO JANA AND GARY FOR THEIR COURTSIDE QS & HOT TAKES.

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IN THIS ISSUE 8 COVER FEATURE

30 O PICKLEBALL

From the Kitchen to the Court

Sung to the tune of “O Christmas Tree”

22 REFEREE CORNER

31 ONLY IN HAWAI‘I

RACHEL HAILI

TRACEY BENNETT Quiet on the court

24 TIPS FROM A PRO GET LOW TO PLAY BETTER DEFENSE

26 THE PT PLAYBOOK

MAXIMIZE YOUR SQUAT Unlocking Glute Strength

28 PICKLEBALL CHINESE ZODIAC

YOUR 2026 HOROSCOPE What the Year of the Horse means for your game

42 2025: A YEAR IN REVIEW

32 HOLIDAY GREETINGS

56 PADDLES UP FOR KYLE A COMMUNITY RALLIES IN ALOHA

34 HOLIDAY RECIPE

68 LEILEHUA HIGH SCHOOL PROJECT GRAD TOURNAMENT

The Shiba Puppy Edition

A PLAYLIST AND VIRTUAL GREETING CARD

WHAT’S ON YOUR HOLIDAY TABLE? A Holiday Spread with Rachel Haili

38 COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

WE ❤ HPM AMBASSADORS

A Day of Play for a Purpose

74 HAWAI‘I ACTIVE SENIORS EXPO 78 CALENDAR

DECEMBER EVENTS

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ALOHA PL AYS

HERE | MELE

KALIKIMAKA

| DECEMBER 20

AR LIFE’S WORK AC H E L H A I L I I N V

ITES YOU IN

Pho to: Dav id We tte

MIXED PLATE

Holid #Fes ay Paw t i ve F urBfection ab ies

ourt C e m o H Kyle’sisElement #InH

Just like the classic local plate lunch, this feature is a blend of flavors, stories, and the people who make this community feel like home.

Mele Kalikimaka

#PBOhana

1. Kyle, on his courts at Moanalua HS. Update--final tally: over $27K raised for our friend and coach Kyle Kaneshiro at the Paddles Up Fundraising Tournament

2. Lori Tokutomi in the holiday spirit with Lexi and Coco 3. Holiday lunch with PB friends celebrating one year of togetherness hawai i p i c kl ebal l m agaz i ne | December 2 0 2 5

COVER FEATURE

FROM THE KITCHEN TO THE COURT FOR RACHEL HAILI, COMMUNITY STILL COMES FIRST— NOW ON THE PICKLEBALL COURT 8

Photo: David Wetter

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COVER FEATURE

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Photo: David Wetter

COVER FEATURE

Long before the pickleball court became a place where people gathered around her, Rachel Haili’s life unfolded in a very real kitchen —— steam in the air, crowded prep tables, many hands busy at work. It was there, inside her family’s business, that food, family, and community first came together. She grew up inside a family-run kitchen that would later shape what many Hawai‘i locals think of as classic Hawaiian food. That kitchen became Haili’s Hawaiian Foods, one of the earliest and most beloved purveyors of authentic Hawaiian cuisine. For generations, families lined up at the Ward Farmers Market, and later in Kapahulu, for plates of squid lū‘au, poi, poke, and laulau prepared the way they always had been. After more than seventy years feeding the community, Haili’s Hawaiian Foods closed its doors in June of 2024, marking the end of an era in local food history. But Rachel’s gift —— what drew people to Haili’s, was never just about the food. The first time we featured Rachel in a guest article we wrote for Generations Magazine, we had no idea how deeply she was loved. A few days after the issue was released, I walked into the YMCA and noticed something on the community bulletin board. Our article had been torn neatly out of the magazine and taped up for all to see. Across the top, in bright marker, someone had written:

We ♥ Rachel.

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COVER FEATURE

H a i l i s ea rly logo

Hai li 's tak e o u t

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Rachel and Peter Hai li (Rachel 's mother and father)

EARLY DAYS

LIFE AT HOME

Rachel’s story begins behind her family’s first business, a bar and grill called the Family Inn.

In the Haili household, work didn’t stop when the market closed.

She and her five sisters grew up in the back of the restaurant, where food became part of their daily life from a very young age. The girls weren’t allowed in the customer-facing front bar area, but from the back, they watched the work unfold.

Laulau nights were their own kind of ritual. Before football games at the old Civic Auditorium, the house became a production line. Five bags of taro leaves— twenty pounds each, had to be peeled, washed, and prepared, and the pork had to be cut.

Over time, Rachel’s mother —— the family matriarch who would later found Haili’s Hawaiian Foods, decided that a liquor business was not where she wanted to raise six daughters.

If they weren’t organized, they didn’t get to go to the game, so they hustled to get it all done. Everyone pitched in, and when the work was finished, there was always cake.

So she made a change.

On school days, household chores came before anything else. When they were teenagers, Rachel and her sister Carol took the bus straight from school to Ala Moana Farmers Market. There were no after-school clubs, no lingering on campus.

In 1950, Rachel’s parents transitioned the family into a fish market at what was then known as the Ala Moana Farmers Market. They had no way of knowing that this decision would grow into a place that would come to symbolize what Hawaiian food meant to generations of local families. By the 1950s, the fish market had taken on a new life as Haili’s Hawaiian Foods. Over the decades, it became a fixture at the Ward Farmers Market and one of the earliest places in Hawai‘i to offer traditionally prepared Hawaiian food, including poke, to go.

Sundays, though, were special. Sundays were beach days. While their parents worked in the mornings, the girls had their own responsibilities. Baskets of clothes and food were packed and ready, loaded into the family’s green “banana” Woody station wagon. Then, they headed out to their auntie’s house in Kaa‘awa. Along with cousins, aunties, and uncles, they spent the day boating and catching squid. Rachel would sit in the

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COVER FEATURE

Ol der Hai li 's si gn

boat with her younger sister, watching their father dive beneath the surface until he came back up with long tentacles trailing behind him. Once they were back on shore, the squid was pounded to dry. Fish was scraped clean the old way —— pin bones were removed by feel. And the limu they gathered was carried back to the table. Those lessons weren’t taught. They were learned by doing the work, together.

AT THE COUNTER When the family shifted fully into the fish market, the work intensified. The girls learned how to clean and cut o‘io, how to portion massive 50 and 100-pound bags of poi, and how to prepare fish for steaming, drying, frying, or eating raw. Everything was done from scratch. Coconut was husked and grated. Fish was cleaned by hand, the old way. Customers came to talk story at the counter and to say exactly how they wanted their fish prepared —— half cut into steaks for frying, half sliced for cooking or eating raw. Poke, back then, wasn’t made with toppings, preseasoned and waiting behind glass. You bought the whole fish. As demand grew and life began to move faster, Rachel watched poke slowly evolve. People were busier. To keep up, her parents began pre-cutting fish —— not to chase trends, but to meet people where they were. Even then, Haili’s stayed rooted in tradition. Their poke remained simple and restrained, always respectful of the fish itself.

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Rachel’s father knew how to work with aku. At a time when many dismissed it outright, he turned it into dried, fried, and raw preparations, mixing it with limu and kukui. Every edible part was used. The best pieces were saved in jars for people close to the family—friends like Gabby “Pops” Pahinui, long before fame found him; Auntie Lena Machado, who visited often; and their grandaunt, Hilo Hattie. The Hailis weren’t just selling food. They were preserving tradition, method by method, dish by dish.

A STEADY HAND Haili’s Hawaiian Foods remained at Ward Farmers Market for nearly sixty years. In those early years, the market was a collection of small stalls. Everyone knew everyone. The Hailis understood their customers’ lives. Many families lived paycheck to paycheck, and when regulars came up short, there was a simple solution: a charge account. Get the food now. Pay when payday came. It was a different time. Hawaiian food was sometimes something people looked down upon. But Rachel’s mother reminded them often, “You are Hawaiian. Be proud.” At a time when being Hawaiian wasn’t celebrated as it is today, she made sure her daughters carried their Hawaiian identity with pride. Rachel was the only one of the sisters to attend college, leaving Hawai‘i to study in Ohio. She had plans —— plans that didn’t involve cleaning another aku or de-veining another liver. Then life shifted.

Photo: David Wetter

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COVER FEATURE

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Photo: David Wetter

Rachel and her si sters When Rachel returned home in the late 1960s, her mother —— just forty-eight years old —— had suffered the first of several debilitating strokes. A few years later, her father passed away at fifty-three. Both the family and the business needed a steady hand. Rachel’s parents had always brought different strengths to the work. Her father was the people person, the one who talked story and built relationships. Her mother had the business sense that kept everything running. That balance had carried the family for years. It was also the example Rachel and her sisters had grown up watching. So when Rachel stepped in, it didn’t feel abrupt. She became “da boss,” supervising her sisters and extended family, guiding a business she had once imagined leaving behind. There was no question. Family came first.

BEYOND THE COUNTER In 2009, after nearly sixty years at Ward Farmers Market, the family lost their lease. Customers mourned. For many, Haili’s had become part of their lives. The family adapted, by parking a lunch wagon across the street from their Ward location. After that, they moved to a sit-down restaurant in Kapahulu. Being closer to Waikīkī brought a new mix of people. Visitors experienced Hawaiian food for the first time, often seated beside regulars who had been coming for decades. Along the way, their work was recognized. In 1997, the Haili family was honored by the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce with the ʻŌʻō Award, one of the most respected recognitions bestowed on Native Hawaiians for contributions to business, culture, and community service.

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COVER FEATURE

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Photo: David Wetter

COVER FEATURE

THE KITCHEN CALLS AGAIN About eight years ago, pickleball made its way into Rachel’s life. She had recently retired and was looking for something active, something that would get her moving again. Friends were already playing and kept telling her to come out and try it. She did, once, then again. She got hooked. At first, her motivation was practical. Without regular movement, her body felt stiff and sore. Pickleball gave her a reason to leave the house, to move, to feel better in her own skin. In later years, Haili’s Hawaiian Foods continued to be recognized by the Hale ʻAina Awards, earning finalist and top write-in honors in the Best Hawaiian category multiple times between 2015 and 2018. These awards were affirmations of what the community already knew: that the food —— exceptional and deeply rooted —— was never just food. It was home. But over time, the day to day of running a restaurant took its toll. On June 30, 2024, after more than seven decades of serving Hawaiʻi, Haili’s Hawaiian Foods closed its doors. Rachel didn’t miss the long hours. But she missed the people.

But that wasn’t the real draw. After decades of running her own business and talking story with customers every single day, retirement brought an unexpected quiet. Pickleball softened that silence. From the start, people were friendly and welcoming. There were lunches after games. Birthdays were celebrated together. It brought people together from walks of life she might never have crossed paths with otherwise. In a way, the courts became another kind of kitchen, replacing the restaurant counter that had served as a gathering place and social hub for so many years. Aside from time away after knee replacement surgery, pickleball has been a regular part of her life. She plays four to five times a week, and when she doesn’t play, she feels the absence, both physically and mentally. Over time, pickleball also shaped how Rachel approached her overall health. She added tai chi and yoga for balance and flexibility and incorporated light weight training, understanding that staying strong and mobile would allow her to stay on the courts. Pickleball became an example of how trying something new can open unexpected doors. As she told me during our interview for Generations Magazine, trying something unfamiliar can lead to places—and people— you didn’t know you were missing. And in the end, pickleball was simply another way for Rachel to bring people together.

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COVER FEATURE

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Photo: David Wetter

CULTURE, LIVED Rachel never set out to be a keeper of Hawaiian culture. And yet, she became one. Through her hands, food was prepared and shared, day after day. People were fed, but they were also remembered, welcomed, and brought together. There was no ceremony and no expectation. It was just how things were done, the way she had always known. This wasn’t aloha as a slogan or a catchphrase. It was something lived—in putting people before transactions, offering care without recognition, assuming belonging rather than making anyone earn it. ʻOhana wasn’t an idea. It was a responsibility, practiced through shared food, shared space, and shared time.

Later in life, Rachel found herself drawn back to those same things—people, ʻohana, and connection, this time through pickleball. Across kitchens, markets, and now the courts, her presence is felt immediately, still making space for others, still doing what she has always done. In her presence, aloha is real. You feel it the moment you’re around her. Culture doesn’t endure by accident. It endures because people like Rachel are still living it, day after day. HPM

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ADVICE REFEREE CORNER

REFEREE CORNER WITH LEVEL 2 REFEREE TRACEY BENNETT I reffed the Hawaii Senior Games in 2018. (Four days with too little sleep. Bleary. Ugh.) Got my L1 badge in 2022. By mid-2023 I'd reffed 400 games in rec play and tournaments from Mililani to Kailua. Earned my L2 ranking in September 2023.

Check out Tracey’s spotlight feature HERE.

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YOUR BURNING COURT QUESTIONS ANSWERED

QUIET ON THE COURT? Q. Is it inappropriate to yell good or bad things during play, or is it frowned upon? People are so quiet… — Kandee A. Quiet? Hmm. There’s a lot of chatter and laughter in my neighborhood. It depends what you say and when you say it. We need to communicate with our partner during rallies (“Yours!” “Out!”) so silence isn’t an option. Or shouldn’t be. Note that an out call before the ball hits the ground is partner communication, same as “bounce it.” Totally useful and totally legal. Suppose that you yelled, “Get back!” to your partner as your opponent lined up her shot. You could be—might likely be— interfering with her concentration. And that outburst—or something equally noisy—could warrant a distraction call by the referee. Rulebook 11.J. Distractions. Players shall not distract an opponent when the opponent is about to play the ball. If in the judgment of the referee a player has distracted their opponent, the referee shall immediately call a fault on the offending team. 3.A.7. Distraction – Physical actions by a player that are ‘not common to the game’ that, in the judgment of the referee, interfere with the opponent’s ability or concentration to hit the ball. Examples include, but are not limited to, making loud noises, stomping feet, and waving the paddle in a distracting manner. Can your opponent call a distraction in rec play? She can mention it after the rally ends. But she has no power to enforce it. If you honestly admit that you (might have) wrecked her concentration, then she wins the rally.

Hitting a fabulous match-ending lob, then screaming, "Ya HOO! We did it! Ya HOO! We won!” as your opponent scrambles after the ball, could be another reason for a distraction call. (It has happened.) Appropriateness also depends on what you say. “Good or bad things,” as you put it. Is it respectful? Nasty? Sometimes we miss a shot and need to blow off steam: “Puka shells!” “Frog footies!” Are f-bombs ok? Some places, yes.... Other places, no: An f-bomb or s-load in a refereed match could earn you a verbal or technical warning. You don’t want those to add up to a loss of a point. Refs have different tolerances: An s-load on Ref A’s court might be overlooked, while a “Dammit” could get you warned by Ref Z. It doesn’t seem fair, but that’s life in the tournament zone. I’m happy to report that some head refs urge their refs to get aligned on cuss calls. May you play frown-free, and may your week be filled with “Good shots!" *** PSA: Is your name & phone number on your paddle? Chair? Water bottle? *** What’s happening on your court? Got questions? If you don’t find answers in the 2025 Rulebook, email me. Cheers! Tracey

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PRO TIPS

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GET LOW TO PLAY BETTER DEFENSE

Why does Coach Kyle constantly remind us to “get low”? In this Tips with a Pro segment, he explains why this is so important---how lowering your body lets the net work in your favor, reduces your opponent’s targets, and helps you defend against powerful drives at the kitchen line. HPM

Want more tips like this? Subscribe to our channel and join the Hawaii Pickleball Magazine community for weekly stories, player spotlights, and pro-level insights.

Get the newsletter: Sign up for free (link below) to get exclusive videos, gear guides, and local pickleball news delivered straight to your inbox. https://view.flodesk.com/pages/64bed9e4625f255f0de6fb84

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hawai i p i c kl ebal l m agaz i ne | December 2 0 2 5

THE REFEREE PT PLAYBOOK CORNER

MAXIMIZE YOUR SQUAT: UNLOCKING GLUTE STRENGTH FOR BETTER PICKLEBALL PERFORMANCE

WHY BETTER SQUAT FORM LEADS TO A STRONGER, MORE EXPLOSIVE PICKLEBALL GAME In athletics, squats are widely considered to be one of the best lower body/glute strengthening exercises. The glutes being the powerhouse for movements such as: sprinting, lunging, changing direction and swinging. As discussed in the October issue, full range of motion is a crucial component when looking to maximize muscle strength. However, a full range of motion squat can be difficult for many to achieve.

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Photo 1: Squatting with feet flat on the ground

Photo 2: Squatting on an inclined surface

Issues such as managing one's center of mass, calf tightness or ankle stiffness can result in limited squat depth (hips above knees).

For many individuals, utilizing a ramp or inclined surface (heels elevated) significantly improves both their squat depth as well as creates a more vertical trunk position.

Additionally, when the feet are flat on the ground, many people will display an excessive forward lean/forward torso position. Excessive forward lean can lead to too much arching of the lumbar spine (lower back).

The ramp can increase squat depth as it allows the center of mass to stay forward and the brain to feel safe (that you will not fall backwards). Additionally, if there is underlying calf tightness/ankle stiffness, the ramp will create additional motion for the ankle to move into.

Arching of the lower back is synonymous with a stretched out (elongated) orientation of the abdominals which then creates an inability to maintain a compressed and stable core. Over a long period of time, this can lead to low back (lumbar) muscle strain or joint pain.

The ramp can result in a more vertical (upright) torso, limiting arching of the lower back and creating a "stack" of the respiratory diaphragm over the pelvic floor. This "stack" will increase your ability to create intraabdominal and a stable core.

Take Home Message: Try adding weighted squats to your weekly training regimen. Performing squats on an inclined surface (heels elevated) may maximize your depth, thus increasing overall glute strengthening. Increased glute strengthening will result in stronger and deeper sprints, lunges, changes of direction and swings on the pickleball court! Reach out to discuss all things Glutes! Aloha, Dr. Dan Munkley InspireMVMT Personal Training 617-759-0525 www.inspiremvmt.com

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RECIPE

PICKLEBALL CHINESE ZODIAC: YOUR 2026 HOROSCOPE WHAT THE YEAR OF THE HORSE MEANS FOR YOUR PICKLEBALL GAME In Hawai‘i, many of us grew up with the Chinese zodiac, those familiar animals that marked our childhood calendars and hinted at what the year might hold. As we step into the Year of the Horse, it feels natural to

bring that tradition onto the pickleball courts. The Horse is energetic, courageous, social, and always on the move, much like the player who stays for “one more game” even when the lights are fading.

This year invites motion, bold choices, and new connections-nudging all of us to level up, lean into friendship, and let pickleball lead us somewhere joyful.

2026 PICKLEBALL HOROSCOPES

RAT

TIGER

RABBIT

(QUICK, CLEVER, STRATEGIC)

(STEADY, LOYAL, PATIENT)

(GRACEFUL, QUICK, THOUGHTFUL)

Your agility shines this year. Expect surprise wins, last-minute comebacks, and clever shot choices that keep opponents guessing.

Consistency is your strength. Improving your footwork, paddle discipline, and recovery creates noticeable growth by fall.

(BOLD, COMPETITIVE, FEARLESS)

PB THEME:

Outsmart, outmaneuver, out-dink.

PB THEME:

Trust the grind; your patience will pay off.

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A breakthrough match or tournament reminds you of your power. Use your fire wisely and balance intensity with aloha.

PB THEME:

Play big, play brave, but play kind.

Your connections deepen this year. New rec groups, new friendships, and a growing sense of belonging lift your spirits. On court, your soft game becomes your superpower.

PB THEME:

Let gentleness win your points.

DRAGON

SNAKE

HORSE

GOAT

(CONFIDENT, MAGNETIC, POWERFUL)

(WISE, CREATIVE, OBSERVANT)

(DYNAMIC, SOCIAL, UNSTOPPABLE)

(KIND, CREATIVE, STEADY CLIMBER)

You notice angles others miss. Expect breakthrough finesse shots as smooth rolls, soft resets, and clever deceptive placements begin showing up in your game.

The spotlight is yours. Tournaments, new gear, new courts, and new friendships fill your year with momentum. Your enthusiasm becomes contagious and you may even start a new group chat or two.

This is a season for trying something new. Mixed doubles, a different paddle, or a new court community could open the door to unexpected growth.

This is a comeback year. Whether recovering from injury or easing out of burnout, you move forward with fresh purpose. New opportunities may appear, including coaching, clinics, or partnerships.

PB THEME:

Let your vision guide your game.

PB THEME:

Lead with your fire.

PB THEME:

Step onto new ground with confidence.

Follow the joy; it will lead you where you need to go.

MONKEY

ROOSTER

DOG

PIG/BOAR

(PLAYFUL, CLEVER, UNPREDICTABLE)

(FOCUSED, DISCIPLINED, DIRECT)

(LOYAL, WARMHEARTED, DEPENDABLE)

(GENEROUS, JOYFUL, DETERMINED)

Your preparation pays off. Drilling with purpose leads to strong, confident play. You may even become the unofficial warm-up leader in your circle.

You become the steady center of your pickleball circle. Organizing play, supporting newcomers, and showing up for your friends brings you joy and connection.

Your year is filled with laughter, trick shots, and last-second hero rallies. Your social calendar grows as easily as your creativity on the court.

PB THEME:

Keep play at the heart of it all.

PB THEME:

Mastery through habits.

PB THEME:

Grow the game by sharing your heart.

This year rekindles your motivation. A rating goal or a first tournament may be calling your name, and your optimism helps you move toward whatever you choose.

PB THEME:

Say yes to the challenge.

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O PICKLEBALL TO THE TUNE OF “O CHRISTMAS TREE”

O Pickleball O Pickleball, This game is so addictive. O Pickleball O Pickleball, I wish I was more active.

There is a place called the kitchen, To hit balls there would be bitchin’. But if you do, you’ll hear a moan, In this game it’s a no-fly zone.

The ball has holes and flies so slow, It lets us hit it to and fro It makes us think that we are fast, The truth is that our time is past.

Now that I’m old and young no more, My body hurts right to the core. O Pickleball O Pickleball, I hope that I can make a score. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take. To Heaven where the courts are free, And Pickleballers sure to be.

My paddle is my only tool, Sometimes it makes me look the fool. If I should miss the ball in flight, It has a hole and that’s not right. I want to hit the ball with might, It hits the net I lose my fight. I dink the ball it comes up short, Who thought up this stupid sport? We count our points upon our serve, The pressure’s on, it tests our nerve. If it is out, we stand and pout, Our partner thinks “Oh, what a lout”.

We’ll play the game with so much skill, Every shot will be a kill. We’ll dink and bang both night and day, And our bodies won’t need Ben-gay. O Pickleball O Pickleball, I am so glad I found you. You make my life so fun to live, These words to you I freely give.

WORDS BY: NOLAN AHN, PRESIDENT, PICKLEBALL ASSOCIATION KAUAI (PAK), 2017 30 hawa i i p i ck l e b a ll magazi n e | D ec em b er 2 0 2 5

ONLY IN HAWAI‘I The Shiba Puppy Edition You know how in Hawai‘i, the world shrinks in the sweetest ways? First, you meet Mom (Renee Komomua) out at the courts a while ago. Then, by chance, you meet her son (Kamaha‘o Arita) and end up featuring him in the newsletter. The next minute, she emails to ask about your new puppy (Toki)… and find out Toki’s breeder is her other son. Of course he is. Because: only in Hawai‘i.

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A HOLIDAY GIFT FROM OUR COURT TO YOURS Every December, a special festive feeling settles over the courts, and this year, we wanted to wrap that feeling into a gift for you. Our video Christmas card is a montage from the 12 Days of Hawai‘i Pickleball Christmas, a collection of greetings and smiles that feels a bit like a warm hug tied with a bright red bow. CLICK THE CHRISTMAS CARD BELOW TO OPEN YOUR HUG. MELE KALIKIMAKA FROM HAWAI‘I PICKLEBALL MAGAZINE

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YOUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY SONGS, FROM PLAYERS ACROSS HAWAI‘I What makes a playlist special isn’t just the music – it’s the people behind each pick. This year, we asked players from across the islands (and beyond) to share their favorite Christmas songs, and created a playlist stitched together by our community. HERE ARE YOUR FELLOW PLAYERS’ FAVORITE HOLIDAY SONGS: White Christmas (Bing Crosby)

All I Want for Christmas (Mariah Carey)

– GLENN GABRIEL, HONOLULU / MO PETERSEN, HONOLULU / NORMAN KAWAKAMI, HONOLULU

– SANDY KOBAYASHI – HONOLULU/IKONA FREITAS – WAIANAE/ MARK BEACH, KIHEI

White Christmas (Andreas Bocelli)

Celebrate Me Home (Kenny Loggins or Ruben Studdard)

Mele Kalikimaka (Bing Crosby)

Merry Christmas Darling (The Carpenters)

– MIKYONG GOH

– KEOLA SOON, HONOLULU

– MICHELLE CHUN, HONOLULU

Merry and Happy (Twice)

– JASON AGSALDA, MILILANI / BARBARA FURUGEN, HONOLULU / ANNIE YOKOYAMA, HONOLULU

Mistletoe (Justin Bieber)

I’ll Be Home for Christmas (The Carpenters)

– XAVIER IMPERIAL, MILILANI – KANOA MEDINA, HONOLULU

Deck the Halls (Nat King Cole) –ROBIN TRANSFIGURACION, MILILANI

Grown Up Christmas List (Amy Grant) – RALPH GORGOGLIONE, BENALMADENA, SPAIN

O Holy Night (Willie K)

– BRUCE FUJIMOTO/TRACEY BENNETT, HONOLULU

O Holy Night (Maverick City Music or Lauren Dagle) – CARLEEN YOKOTAKE, KANEOHE

– JANET MATSUMURA, MILILANI

I’ll Be Home for Christmas (Michael Buble) – TOSHIKO JAGER, HONOLULU

Joy to the World (Chris Tomlin)

– DAPHNE MANAGO, HONOLULU

Here Comes Santa Claus (Gene Autry)

Little Drummer Boy (Harry Simeone Chorale)

O Holy Night (Mariah Carey)

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Andre Gagnon)

– SHANE DENTINGER, PACE, FL – SANDRA WOO, HONOLULU

A Holly Jolly Christmas (Burl Ives)

– JACK HODGES, KALAHEO, KAUAI

Christmas Time Is Here (Vince Guaraldi Trio)

– CONNOR MCCORMACK, KIHEI

– GARY NAKANO, HONOLULU

– JANA CHANG, HONOLULU

Snow in California (Ariana Grande)

– KELSEY DAGUIO, HONOLULU

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays (N Sync) – KYLE SHINYAMA, HONOLULU

Christmas Wrapping (The Waitresses) – KIMMIE OUCHI, MAUI

Happy Xmas (War Is Over) (John Lennon & Yoko Ono)

Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree (Brenda Lee)

– MARTINA KOSTALOVA, HONOLULU

Silent Night (Bing Crosby)

Jingle Bell Rock (Bobby Helms)

– FRANCIS GOH, SUZETTE MCKIMMY – KAT KUHN, HONOLULU / DANNY TENGAN, HONOLULU

Silver Bells (Andy Williams)

– MELANIE KEOLANUI, HILO

– CHASE KUTARA, HONOLULU

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (Gene Autry) Have Yourself a Very Merry Christmas (Luther Vandross) – HPM

Christmas in the Sand (Colbie Caillat) – HPM

Please Come Home for Christmas (Eagles) – HPM

Underneath the Tree (Kelly Clarkson) – HPM

Candy Cane Kisses (Lyn Lapid) – HPM

Christmas Calling (Norah Jones) – HPM

– ALEX KIM, HONOLULU

CLICK TO LISTEN ON YOUTUBE OR SPOTIFY. FROM THE HPM OHANA TO YOURS — HAPPY HOLIDAYS! hawai i p i c kl ebal l m agaz i ne | December 2 0 2 5

RECIPE

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What’s On Your Holiday Table? A Holiday Spread with Rachel Haili When we first asked Rachel Haili to share a recipe for our December issue, she hesitated. Recipes, she explained, were tough for her because she doesn’t usually rely on measurements. She’s always cooked the way generations before her did: by taste. So instead of asking for a recipe with a precise list of ingredients, we asked a different question: “What’s on your holiday table?” Here’s what she shared--a glimpse into the dishes that make her holidays special.

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RECIPE Christmas: A Birthday Feast Wrapped in Holiday Cheer

New Year’s: A Hawaiian Table in Full Expression

For the Haili family, Christmas dinner always revolved around Rachel’s nephew, who celebrated his birthday on Christmas Day. The meal was built around the dishes he loved, which gave the holiday a personal touch that made the table feel even more special. Every year, the spread included:

Where Christmas centered around Rachel’s beloved nephew on his birthday, New Year’s was a celebration of Hawaiian food. The table reflected tradition, gratitude, and abundance...a way to welcome the coming year with familiar flavors and family favorites. Her New Year’s table featured:

• Sweet-and-sour spare ribs made by his parents • A whole fish — fried, baked, or steamed — Rachel’s personal favorite • Baked beans with hot dogs • Prime rib • Jello salad • Chinese noodles • Cookies • Chantilly cake

• Kalua pig • Chicken long rice • Squid luau • Salted butterfish with watercress • Lomi salmon • Poi • Steamed, baked, or fried fish • Jook • Poke • Dried aku • Haupia • Kūlolo • Sweet potato • Roast duck

“I like to have a full table and variety of foods for any occasion,” Rachel shared. Growing up in a big family, her parents wanted each child to have something they loved on the table--a tradition she still carries with her.

A Table Made of Memories In the end, Rachel didn’t need to give us a recipe to give us something meaningful. Her holiday table--layered with family favorites, Hawaiian traditions, and her lifelong instinct to feed people well, tells a far richer story. It’s the same story that made Haili’s Hawaiian Foods a beloved part of Hawai‘i for generations. And it’s the story she keeps alive each time she fills a table with the dishes her family loves most. This holiday season, may the warmth Rachel shared find its way to your own table--and may your table, like hers, hold the stories, the traditions, and the joy of being together.

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COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHTS: HPM AMBASSADORS

HPM AMBASSADORS Holiday Edition The holidays have a way of slowing us down and inviting us to reflect on the moments and people that made the year meaningful. This season, we’re celebrating HPM Ambassadors—amazing humans whose presence on the courts made this year brighter. Meet them here:

GARY NAKANO The other half of Jana & Gary, Gary is a familiar presence on courts across the island and beyond. A frequent competitor, he also helps to coach the Niu Valley Middle School pickleball program. We tapped him for on-the-fly commentary at our 2-Year Anniversary “Beat a Pro” competition--he was a natural and an instant crowd favorite. Dream doubles partner? Jana Chang If you had a walk-up song, what would it be? “Here Comes the Boom” by Nelly

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SANDY KOBAYASHI

BRUCE FUJIMOTO

One of the kindest and most gracious players around, Sandy is the other half of Bruce—and a quiet force in the pickleball community. After injuring her playing arm, she taught herself to play left-handed and never looked back. A constant helper on and off the courts, she proudly supports local Hawai‘i brands and represents the islands with aloha wherever she goes. Dream doubles partner? Anyone who wants to have fun! If you had a walk-up song, what would it be? “Walk of Life” by Dire Straits because it’s upbeat and pickleball allows you to meet so many people in different walks of life! Favorite holiday treat? Panetonne...with a cup of coffee...yum!

The other half of Sandy and part of HPM’s crew to Maui for an interisland mixer, Bruce is the definition of a quiet competitor. Those who grew up with him describe him as an exceptionally talented athlete—and that athleticism still shows today on the pickleball courts. A Moloka‘i native and former PE teacher, he’s one of the steadiest, kindest people you’ll meet. Dream doubles partner? My late father (dad)! He was quite an athlete and also boxed! As a boxer his hands were quick and would’ve come in handy during pickleball “firefights’! If you had a walk-up song, what would it be? Keali’i Reichel’s version of our Lahainaluna High School (Alma Mater) which is considered to be the only alma mater written entirely in Hawaiian! Favorite holiday treat? A traditional pumpkin pie with a thick crust and dark chocolate on the side!

SANDRA WOO

KATHY NAKASONE

Always impeccably put together, Sandra brings style and competitive spirit to the courts, both locally and beyond. The newest Pickleball Bella representative on island—she gamely stepped in as our model for the Nordstrom Recess pickleball line, graciously doing take after take for our social media. Dream doubles partner? ALW because she’s the GOAT. If you had a walk-up song, what would it be? “Jump Around” by House of Pain. Favorite holiday treat? Sweet and salty Chex mix.

HPM’s newest ambassador, Kathy, is always on the move— traveling, playing, and working to elevate her game. We first met on the courts during open play, where she was gracious and quick to invite us right in. After taking a clinic together, her focus and determination stood out, competitive in the best, most welcoming way. Dream doubles partner? My older daughter, Marissa. She introduced me to pickleball in 2023 and she’s been competing ever since. Would love to be able to play at her level!! If you had a walk-up song, what would it be? Not a true walkup song but fits my journey with pickleball---”The Climb” by Miley Cyrus Favorite holiday treat? Custard pie, yes that’s my holiday treat. LOL.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHTS: HPM AMBASSADORS

TOSHIKO JAGER HPM’s Japan–Hawai‘i Courtside Correspondent, Toshiko is our on-the-ground connection to one of Hawai‘i’s favorite destinations. From player interviews to cultural insights, she brings pickleball stories from Japan to our community, turning her travels into one of our most fun and talked-about features. Dream doubles partner? Roger Federer If you had a walk-up song, what would it be? “We are the Champions” by Queen Favorite holiday treat? Japanese Christmas cake (a light sponge cake, covered in a layer of whipped cream and decorated with fresh strawberries) which I enjoyed during Christmas time with my family growing up.

NORMAN KAWAKAMI

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Deeply connected, Norman seems to know everyone—and everything—happening in the pickleball community. Generous fault, he’s often the first to offer gear or lend a hand. Don’t let wrist or knee brace fool you...he brings a mean drive to the cou Also goes by “Mr. Matchy-Matchy”. Dream doubles partner? Shohei Ohtani If you had a walk-up song, what would it be? “Uptown Funk” Bruno Mars Favorite holiday treat? Homemade “Okoshi” by Sakura Sweet The best hands down!!

to a the urt.

” by

ts!!

JANA CHANG An accomplished DOE educator stepping into her second act through pickleball---and one-half of the dynamic “Jana and Gary” (HPM Courtside Correspondents) duo. Whether she’s competing, coaching, or on the mic collecting Courtside Hot Takes, you’ll find her (and Gary) all over the islands...and occasionally off-island too. Dream doubles partner? My Dream “Team” includes my kāne, future PB player Garrett Nago, my fo’ realz MXD partner Gary Nakano and LA Dodger Mookie Betts. Baseball and pickleball embrace a full body swing, fast reaction time and a sense of humor. If you had a walk-up song, what would it be? “Make the Pono ʻOno” by a Hawaiian Hip Hop group from Moloka’i, Queen Maile and Prince Paniolo. My favorite line in the song is “E kū I ka māna, nui kākou” Favorite holiday treat: My favorite holiday treat is JOY!

TODD SMITH AKA “PICKLEBALL TODD” If pickleball had a superfan, it might look a lot like Todd. Known for his “Pickleball Todd” hat, boundless enthusiasm for the game and lots of exclamation marks, he’s a constant source of memes, ideas, and encouragement for HPM. When he’s not playing, he’s honing his craft as a part-time sushi chef. Dream doubles partner? Quang Duong, a professional pickleball player from Vietnam. We have the same motto: “Rip it! Spin it! Win it!” If you had a walk-up song, what would it be? “Gangnam Style” since I’m from Korea Favorite Christmas treat? Baked Apple Strudel hawai i p i c kl ebal l m agaz i ne | December 2 0 2 5

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2025: YEAR IN REVIEW

JANUARY

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Justin Oleole Nanna Brown

2025: YEAR IN REVIEW

FEBRUARY

Cover: Honza and Lauren Hroch Victoria and Keola Soon

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2025: YEAR IN REVIEW

MARCH

Cover: Tama Shimabukuro Vicky Smith 46 hawa i i p i ck l e b a ll magazi n e | D ec em b er 2 0 2 5

Phil Schettewi Michael Glenn

2025: YEAR IN REVIEW

APRIL

Steven Chavez

Cover: Conner Koga Imperial Family

Toshiko Jager Martina Kostalova hawai i p i c kl ebal l m agaz i ne | December 2 0 2 5

2025: YEAR IN REVIEW

MAY

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Mike and Kelly Deese Neil and Naomi Marugame

2025: YEAR IN REVIEW

JUNE

Cover: Keven Wong Susan Seki

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2025: YEAR IN REVIEW

JANUARY JULY

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Brett Lickle John and Kimberly Bisnar

2025: YEAR IN REVIEW

AUGUST

Cover: Codie Chong, Rockie Chong, Keneke Kukahiko, Keiji Kukahiko, Jay Fujita

Galen Kawasaki

Matt Zane Rick Komori hawai i p i c kl ebal l m agaz i ne | December 2 0 2 5

2025: YEAR IN REVIEW

SEPTEMBER

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Dominic Tom Kelsey Daguio

2025: YEAR IN REVIEW

OCTOBER

Cover: Ikona Freitas Lee Wilson

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2025: YEAR IN REVIEW

NOVEMBER

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Darin Dalida Kamaha’o Arita

2025: YEAR IN REVIEW

DECEMBER ALOHA PLAYS HERE | MELE KALIKIMAKA | DECEMBER 2025

ARACHEL LIFE’S WORK HAILI INVITES YOU IN Photo: David Wetter

Cover: Rachel Haili Todd Richter

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PHOTO GALLERY: PADDLES UP FOR KYLE EVENT RECAP

PADDLES UP FOR KYLE: A COMMUNITY RALLIES IN ALOHA November 29-30, 2025 Moanalua High School--Anyone who knows Kyle Kaneshiro knows that for nearly four decades, he’s shaped athletes across Hawai‘i—first in tennis, then in pickleball—teaching discipline, hard work, and teamwork not just as skills, but as a way to move through the world. When the community learned of his ongoing battle with lung cancer, players didn’t hesitate. In just three weeks, Paddles Up for Kyle came together. The outpouring was incredible: • 22 paddles donated • Nearly 260 waffle dogs sold (thank you, Dayton and KC Waffle Dogs!) • Bentos and teri burgers from the Moanalua Athletic Department—Paula and her crew feeding everyone with generosity • Trays of homemade goodies from Carin, Elsie, and others • Raffle prizes Behind it all were organizers Lori Tokutomi, Lori Matsushige, Travis Yamamoto, Tyler Kinoshita, Tamlyn Takeno, and co-tournament director Jim Hasselman, along with countless volunteers who kept everything moving. And somewhere in the middle of this whirlwind, Kyle stopped by on Day One. Even though he could only stay briefly, the whole community lit up seeing him out at the courts. All in all, the community raised $27,000, far surpassing the original goal of $20,000.

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HERE’S TO YOU, KYLE Thank you for giving so much to Hawai‘i’s pickleball community— the clinics, the lessons, and the monthly tournaments that are a launchpad for so many. And here’s to one of your greatest callings—caring for the animals who had no one else. Your compassion for every stray you fed, sheltered, and protected showed us that kindness isn’t something you talk about. It’s something you live. The way you cared for them—quietly, faithfully, and without fanfare, taught this community as much as anything ever done on a court. Mahalo for the countless lives, human and animal, that you’ve touched across Hawai‘i. Paddles up, always, for you.

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PHOTO GALLERY: PADDLES UP FOR KYLE

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PHOTO GALLERY: PADDLES UP FOR KYLE

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PHOTO GALLERY: PADDLES UP FOR KYLE

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PHOTO GALLERY: PADDLES UP FOR KYLE

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PHOTO GALLERY: PADDLES UP FOR KYLE

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PHOTO GALLERY: LEILEHUA HIGH SCHOOL PROJECT GRAD TOUR EVENT RECAP: A DAY OF PLAY FOR A PURPOSE: LEILEHUA HIGH SCHOOL PROJECT GRAD TOURNAMENT November 22-23, 2025

Wahiawa Middle School, O‘ahu-The courts in Wahiawā were buzzing as players, families, and volunteers came together to support the Leilehua High School Project Grad Class of 2026. Volunteers chipped in wherever they were needed, and the Parent Committee ran a raffle and concession. It was the kind of small-town connection Hawai‘i does so well...relaxed, supportive, and filled with aloha. Below are photos capturing a few moments from the event.

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RNAMENT

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PHOTO GALLERY: LEILEHUA HIGH SCHOOL PROJECT GRAD TOUR

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RNAMENT

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PHOTO GALLERY: LEILEHUA HIGH SCHOOL PROJECT GRAD TOUR

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RNAMENT

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PHOTO GALLERY: HAWAI‘I ACTIVE SENIORS EXPO EVENT RECAP: HAWAI‘I ACTIVE SENIORS EXPO November 14-15, 2025

This year’s Hawai‘i Active Seniors Expo brought something extra lively to the Hawai‘i Convention Center: a full indoor pickleball tournament presented by the Oahu Pickleball Association. When I first walked in, the main expo floor was calm, but the real crowd was gathered all the way in the back, where six courts buzzed with action. Over two days, players ages 50 to 75+ rotated through round-robin doubles and mixed-doubles play, covering skill levels from 2.0 to 3.5. Expo goers stopped by out of curiosity, and many discovered pickleball for the very first time. By all accounts, it was a full weekend of spirited play and strong turnout, and our photo gallery captures some of the moments that made it special.

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PHOTO GALLERY: HAWAI‘I ACTIVE SENIORS EXPO

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CALENDAR: UPCOMING PICKLEBALL EVENTS

December 2025 Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Tu 30 6 13 20 27

Friday

January 2026 29

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Th 1 8 15 22 29

Fr 2 9 16 23 30

Sa 3 10 17 24 31

Fr 6 13 20 27

Sa 7 14 21 28

Saturday

We 31 7 14 21 28

February 2026

Su 1 8 15 22

Mo 2 9 16 23

Tu 3

3 10 17

We 4 11 18 25

Th 5 12 19 26

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Monday

Mo 29 5 12 19 26

HAWAII PICKLEBALL MAGA

UPCOMING PICKLEBALL EVENTS 10

Sunday

January 2026 Su 28 4 11 18 25

* If the event is unlinked, registration may be closed. Maui: December 19-21: World Pickleball Tour Hawaii Holiday Open May 17: Oahu: Hookuku Pickleball Tournament, Schofield Barracks O’ahu: January 12-15, 2026: 110 and Over Pickleball Doubles Tournament 2026 May 24: Oahu: King Intermediate Pickleball Fundraiser, Kaneohe May 31: Oahu: Maui Wildfire Disaster Relief Pickleball Fundraiser, Honolulu (Registration Closed) Kona: January 15-18, 2026: Hawaiian Cup 2026 The complete list of all upcoming tournaments Maui: January 21-25, 2026: Maui Pukaball Tournament and events in Hawaii

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HAVE YOU… • Played a sunrise match this week • • Cheered for your opponent’s point • • Tried a new court • • Forgot your water bottle • • Made a new friend on the courts • • Read this magazine cover to cover • • Subscribed to our newsletter (right?) • • Told a friend to do the same • • Got a story or a player we should feature? Let us know! • • Know someone who’d love to connect with this community? We’d love to hear from them!

Want to get involved? Become an ambassador or contributor— we’re always looking forpeople who love the game and our Hawaii PB community. Not getting our emails? Check your spam, promotions, or updates folder— and move us to your Primary inbox so you never miss a beat.

PARTING SHOT Where heritage meets heart.

ALWAYS FREE: Never miss an issue! Subscribe to get Hawaii Pickleball Magazine delivered straight to your inbox every month. LET’S GROW TOGETHER: We welcome aligned partners who share our love for pickleball and community. Want to get your brand in front of our readers? Let’s connect!

Photo: David Wetter