AROUND THE WORLD
PICKLEBALL IS SHINING BRIGHT IN THE
ALOHA STATE
W
ith the popularity
of the sport
of pickleball
continually on the
rise, it’s no surprise our nation’s 50th
state, Hawaii, is embracing the game
and participation is growing.
In April 2017, USAPA Ambassador
Donna Ching founded the Oahu
Pickleball Association (OPA) and is
currently its president. “We all know
the benefits in helping individuals
grow and connect with each other,
as with the many volunteers who
help run this nonprofit organization,”
said Donna. “Their love for
community and pickleball brought
these generous-hearted and talented
people together.”
At OPA’s core is the spirit of
Aloha and community development
when helping people play and learn
pickleball—also known to locals as
“pukaball” (puka in Hawaiian means
“hole”). They strive to give back to
the community through a variety of
58
pickleball programs and activities for
all ages to strengthen the people of
Hawaii in a healthy and fun way.
Hawaii has more than 800 adult
pickleball players, 21 USAPA
Ambassadors and, to their credit,
the city and county of Honolulu
constructed 81 pickleball courts
on outdoor volleyball and tennis
courts at 49 Parks & Recreation
sites. OPA does everything it can to
extend its reach into the community.
Recently, the members launched a
Juniors program, “Pukaball Hawaii,”
offering afterschool, recreational club
and competitive pickleball for kids.
They plan to sponsor young players
from Hawaii to compete in a USAPA
tournament in 2020.
On the horizon are opportunities
to build dedicated pickleball courts
in Hawaii. “We absolutely need
them given the growth we have
experienced over the past couple of
years,” added Donna.
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Hawaii’s Children and Youth Day,
which drew 50,000+ attendees to
the state capital, saw endless lines
of youngsters and their parents
wanting to play pickleball. And,
OPA’s community building doesn’t
stop there. It also hosts open play at
both indoor and outdoor locations
at public parks, setting up nets
for day and nighttime competition
throughout the week.
Through her involvement at Parks
& Recreation as a PPR and IPTPA
instructor, Donna and her Pukaball
Hawaii pros teach pickleball to adults
and kids at several of the public
park courts.
From May 15-17, 2020, Oahu
Pickleball Association will host the
first-ever Hawaii State Championship,
for those 18-49 years old, and
the State Senior Games Pickleball
Qualifier for those 50+, which should
attract 200+ players. Rounding
out the prestigious schedule will
be the Pacific Rim Pickleball Cup
Tournament, scheduled for July 9-12,
where 500+ players are expected.
For event and registration details,
visit www.pickleballtournaments.com.
For additional information
on pukaball in Hawaii, visit
oahupickleballassociation.org. •