The first-ever Hawaiʻi State Pickleball Championships was held on the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa campus, October 20–23. The event, one of Oʻahu’s largest pickleball tournaments to date, garnered more than 300 participants from Oʻahu, Maui, Kauaʻi and Hawaiʻi Island where people of all ages and all skill levels came together and competed in a fun-filled environment.
Over four days, the Hawaiʻi State Pickleball Championships held matches for women’s doubles, mixed doubles, men’s doubles, juniors, men’s singles and women’s singles, with participants aged 8–65+ competing in five different skill levels ranging from 3.0–5.0+. Many of the participants were UH employees and students.
“This has been really awesome to get to see what is out there and all the kinds of competition we have here in Hawaiʻi,” said Starr Rivera, a Honolulu Community College student who participated in the event. “This is my first competition ever and it has been a really great experience so far.”
Oʻahu Pickleball Association organized the event in coordination with UH, which served as a prime venue for the community to gather, have fun and get some exercise. With access to parking, bathrooms, and enough pickleball courts to host America’s fastest growing sport, the organizers were elated to be able to build this partnership with UH.
“We are super thankful UH granted us permission to use these courts over so many days,” said Donna Ching, founder and president of Oʻahu Pickleball Association. “With 300 players and the need for 20 pickleball courts, we were fortunate the tennis complex was a viable option to hold such a large tournament as this. Everyone has been so excited throughout all of the events and we’ve gotten great feedback from the players.”
Support came through coordinating with the UH men’s tennis coaches and UH Office of Planning and Facilities who were instrumental in making this event happen. Hawaiʻi State Pickleball Championship organizers hope to continue to build upon this relationship with UH.
