LIHUE — Bev Brody of Get Fit Kauai needed an umbrella to get out of her vehicle Tuesday when pickleball enthusiasts paused play while the shower band passed at Kalena Park.
“You don’t need money to play pickleball,” said Melani Okamoto of the county’s Department of Parks and Recreation. “You just need shoes.”
Brody didn’t have a problem, switching to covered athletic shoes from her zori slippers following a short presentation by Okamoto to Lori Koga of M. Tanaka Store in Lihue.
The presentation was from Kauai Ho‘ohui O Recreation, represented by Okamoto, of equipment including pickleball nets, balls, and paddles for the public to use at the Kalena Park multi-purpose court.
“People can check in with Tanaka Store during the store’s normal operating hours,” Koga said. “The multi-purpose court was made possible through the efforts of Kylan Dela Cruz.”
Reservations are not necessary. People can just show up and play if the court is open.
Koga said the court is lined during the renovation work, but all the other equipment was provided by Kauai Ho‘ohui O Recreation.
“This is great exercise and fun for everyone,” Koga said. “Young and old. Everyone has fun with pickleball. I would like to see more of the kupuna in the housing come out and take advantage of this. It’s free, fun, and the only thing you need is shoes.”
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
Source: The Garden Island
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