Kaʻū News Briefs Nov. 10, 2024

Kaʻū Pickleball Tournament coordinator Elijah Navarro; Anasoune Jensen, silver medalist; Andy Meyers, bronze medalist;
Otis Salmo, gold medalist. Photo from Otis Salmo

KAʻŪ'S FIRST-EVER ROUND-ROBIN PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT filled the Robert Herkes Distrit Gymnasium in Pāhala on Saturday.
    Friday was a sleepless night for Nāʻālehu Parks & Recreation Director Elijah Navarro who works for the County of Hawai'i as he anticipated his pickleball tournament. He noted that the versatility of Pāhala's gym accommodates three indoor courts perfect for Kaʻū's well known windy weather. Navarro's round-robin tournament made a lasting impression on his participants, said one of the lead competitors Otis Salmo.

Sundays, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. is pickleball time at Kaʻū Gym.
Photo from Otis Salmo

    Nearly 30 participants from across the island played this Saturday. "We had participants come out to play in our tournament from Ocean View, Nāʻālehu, Punalu'u, Pāhala, Volcano, Hilo, and one as far as Pepeekeo," said Navarro. "My goal for this tournament was to get as many individuals from the Kaʻū community together for a great day of pickleball, social networking, and promoting healthy living. Word about this tournament spread so fast we ended up having interest from members around the island–not just Kaʻū!"
    The tournament started promptly at 9 a.m. Players straggled into the gym at 8:15 a.m. to check in, sign waivers, and receive some goodies from the host. Many players knew each other, some were introduced for the first time. The first half of the tournament was the 3.0-3.5 division. Twelve players selected numbers at random to be paired with a partner. With six rounds to play, each player switched partners after 

Safe from the Kaʻū wind on the indoor
 court for the first pickleball tournament.
Photo from Otis Salmo

each round. At the end of the sixth round, each player added up the total points they earned. By the end of the 3.0-3.5 division round-robin, Julie Enriques of Punalu'u took first place, winning the gold medal. Donna Shibuya of Nāʻālehu won second place, earning the silver medal. Third place winner went to Guy Enriques of Punalu'u with a bronze medal.
    The 4.0 and above division had a similar play structure. A round-robin consisting of 16 players drew random numbers. Each player was paired with a partner that rotated after each round. However, this division consisted of 8 rounds of play. In this division, the first place gold medalist went to Otis Salmo of Pāhala; second place silver medalist, Anasoune Jensen of Discovery Harbor; and third place medalist, Andy Meyer of Ocean View.
    In celebration of this successful tournament, a potluck was held where participants, volunteers, and supporters shared in food and fellowship. Participants shared wonderful dishes– some made fresh from their farms, others shared food of their culture. "Most importantly, all of the participants mingled, reconnected with old friends, or even made new friends through pickleball. Meanwhile, as everyone enjoyed fellowship and a delicious meal, a raffle took place to further celebrate an amazing event," said Salmo.

    Navarro was able to secure donations from a few local businesses, including the Edmund C. Olson Trust and Kaʻū Coffee Mill, 'Ohana Foods, Punalu'u Bake Shop, KTA, and Big Island Delights. Navarro said, "We even had a pickleball company from Australia, Six Zero Pickleball, donate a paddle! Every participant was able to go home with a prize. Whether it was gear from Kaʻū Coffee Mill or gift certificates raffled from our local businesses, every player went home happy! We were also blessed with participants donating hand crafted items to be raffled for all who came to the event."

    

The 4.0 Division at the first Pickleball Tournament at Kaʻū Gym. Photo from Otis Salmo

   One player donated a handmade art peice that can be used for a shoe rack or plant stand crafted and designed with sea shells collected locally, sporting a beach theme. "One lucky winner went home with the gift, exclaiming with glee when her name was called. Another winner jumped for joy when she won the grand prize pickleball paddle," said Salmo.
    "In the spirit of promoting a healthier lifestyle, building community with people of all ages, and improving mental health through exercise and healthy socialization, pickleball is an excellent vehicle to meet this goal," said Navarro.  "My goal is not to just host a pickleball tournament or clinics at my facility, but also to build capacity in our own community. Pickleball is such a growing sport, it's nice to see it in Kaʻū. I love seeing people of all ages socializing with each other and engaging in friendly competition–and bringing people from Kaʻū and around the island together."
    Navarro, himself a product of Kaʻū, holds free weekly pickleball classes at his Nāʻālehu Parks & Recreation facility in hopes of growing the sport in the area. Additionally, a growing group of players gets together in Pāhala on Sundays for open recreation play when the gym is available from 1 p,m, to 5 p.m. A member of the Pāhala group, Salmo said, "The Pāhala gym is a perfect venue for pickleball as we can consistently play without worrying about the weather in Kaʻū. We're spoiled to have this location. Being from a rural area, we have limited resources like they do in urban areas. It's nice to have a group of people of all ages and skill levels get together for social doubles and deepening friendships."
    Members of the community interested in learning about pickleball can contact Navarro at the Nāʻālehu Parks & Recreation facility. A huge mahalo was expressed by Navarro to the tournament participants, volunteers, sponsors, supporters, and the Pahala district gym staff for helping make this tournament a huge success.

The 3.0 Division at the first Pickleball Tournament at Kaʻū Gym.

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KĪLAUEA MILITARY CAMP WILL HOST VETERANS DAY observance and celebration with ceremonies at 10 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 11. Keynote speaker will be Lt. Col. Christopher Marquez, Commander of Pōhakuloa Training Area. Lunch will be at Crater Rim Cafe from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and a Veterans Expo from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The lunch costs $38 per person for adults and $19 for Keiki ten years and under. Reservations can be made and paid for by calling 808-967-8333.

KAʻŪ MULTICULTURAL SOCIETY WILL CELEBRATE VETERANS DAY, on Monday, Nov. 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a display of Kaʻū veterans photos and other memorabilia at Nāʻālehu Park next to the World War II Veterans Memorial.

OKK WILL CELEBRATE VETERANS DAY ON MONDAY, NOV. 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free lunch for veterans and their families, with music by Keoki Soriano. Venue is the 'O Ka'ū Kākou Market in Nāʻālehu.