Ukulele Meets Pickleball: Local ukulele artist Jody Kamisato will compete in the Hawaii Pacific Health ESPN Honolulu Open, a major pickleball event starting this week. The finals will air live Sunday from the Hawaii Convention Center, and Kamisato is bringing his musical flair to the court.
A Tournament Full of Passion and Players
The tournament has attracted thousands of players from across the islands. KHON2 will broadcast the championship round live. Kamisato, known for his ukulele skills, is also a long-time pickleball player. The game has inspired him in more ways than one.
“Well, it definitely allows me flexibility with my schedule! But because I play ukulele and also compose music, pickleball inspired me to write a pickleball song! I was able to put my two passions together,” Kamisato said.
A Family Sport and Community Favorite
Kamisato plays often in Hawaii Kai at Kamiloiki Park, where recent court renovations helped grow the sport.
“I’ve been playing pickleball for years and started with my brother. And now his son picked up the sport too, so it’s become a real family affair for us,” Kamisato said. “We spend our weekends playing together, and now we all get to compete with and against each other sometimes too. And with the pickleball community, with an event this large, word just spread quickly, and the tournament sold out quickly.”
Year-Round Play Fuels Growth
Across Hawaii, more players are joining in. New courts and clubs have opened to meet the rising demand. Kamisato says the game’s popularity just keeps growing.
“For me, it’s so addicting and fun,” Kamisato said. “But the best part about Hawaii is we have so many outdoor courts, and you can play year round. We’ll sometimes play at the new Pickles at Forte in downtown, just so we have a place that guarantees our spot since it can be hard to find time at public courts. Because that’s how popular it is!”
A Look at What’s Next
This pickleball tournament shows how deeply pickleball has rooted itself in Hawaii’s culture. As local players like Kamisato blend sport with creativity, interest in pickleball continues to rise. With live coverage and sold-out brackets, the future of the game in the islands looks strong.
News in Brief: Ukulele Meets Pickleball
Hawaii’s biggest pickleball tournament hits the court this week. Ukulele player Jody Kamisato will compete, sharing how music and pickleball inspire him. The finals of the Hawaii Pacific Health ESPN Honolulu Open air live Sunday on KHON2. Local courts remain packed as interest in the sport surges.
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