Executive Director's Message

Aloha USTA Hawaii Pacific Members and Friends,

I hope you are doing well.

I would like to share with you some updates regarding tennis in the Hawaii Pacific Section.

First, USTA Hawaii Pacific is alive and well! The last two years were a challenge as a result of the pandemic, but we adapted and made some changes and we are stronger as a result of it. We reorganized, restructured and downsized the office staff from 10 full time positions to 5 full time and 1 part time position. Please click on the link below to see our staff and their contact information. 

https://www.ustahawaii.com/staff

Second, the 2021 Tennis Industry Association (TIA) conducted a participation survey and there was some encouraging news for tennis. Tennis was the 5th fastest growing sport in the USA. There are now 21.6 million tennis players and in 2021 tennis participation grew by 22 % over 2020. 

In comparison, Pickleball was the 6th fastest growing sport (right behind tennis). There are 4.2 million Pickleball players in the USA and Pickleball grew 21 % in 2021 over 2020.

Third, Pickleball is a popular and fast growing sport in Hawaii and we feel that the Pickleball Association and the USTA should work together to improve the court usage for both sports. I understand that, according to the City & County of Honolulu Park & Recreation Department, there are 202 tennis courts on Oahu and 160 Pickleball courts on Oahu. Nonetheless, I am hearing complaints regarding the competition for courts and we are going to work to help resolve these conflicts. We started talks with the Oahu Pickleball Association and we hope to collaborate with them and the City to improve the court usage situation. We will then expand to the neighbor islands with the same goal.

Fourth, the City & County of Honolulu Park & Recreation Department is planning to change the tennis rules. They conducted a survey of court users and they plan to have a public forum in the summer. If you have a chance to participate, please give your feedback to the City. We will pass on any information regarding the public forum to you.

Fifth, we will be revamping our newsletter and the next issue will add a video tennis tip by top USPTA tennis coaches, a video tip on strings and rackets by Albert Murata and more updates from me and our staff. I hope you will find the new newsletter helpful and more informative.

Lastly, please check our website for new member benefits. We just added a Kama’aina discount at the Prince Waikiki and Island Club & Spa will also be offering our members a special promo in the near future. For new and renewed memberships in 2022, USTA members will receive a $44 credit at Head.Com instead of a Tennis Magazine. There will be other member discounts and offers in the near future.

Thank you for being a USTA member and for your support of tennis. I hope that you keep playing and enjoying tennis.

Mahalo,

Ron