Aloha Maui County Council,  Maui County Parks and Recreation Department Director Karla Peters, and Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino:

On behalf of the many pickleball players in Maui who use the public courts, we believe Pickleball (PB) is a safe, enjoyable way to promote fitness, as well as providing a social outlet. PB is most popular among our kupuna, including those with physical limitations, however it is also attracting an increasing number of younger people,  tourists, and former tennis players.   During this ongoing pandemic, PB has provided a way people can get outside and get exercise and stay healthy, mentally as well as physically.

PB is now recognized as the fastest growing sport in the US.

https://usapickleball.org/about-us/organizational-docs/pickleball-fact-sheet/

https://www.staradvertiser.com/2021/05/25/live-well/pickleball-a-sport-with-a-lot-of-juice/

Unfortunately, in Maui, where the numbers of PB players are rapidly increasing, there are too few places available to play, resulting in long wait times, and congestion.

We respect and support the needs of the tennis community to have access to play a sport they love, and we feel we deserve the same respect in return. The public parks, funded by our taxes, should serve the whole community, not just the tennis players.

We have observed that there are some underutilized tennis courts which could be dual marked with PB lines. The PB playing times could be reserved for certain days and times of the week, as was done at two upper courts at the War Memorial in Wailuku. The ultimate solution though would be to provide more designated pickleball courts, whether they are located outdoors or in a gymnasium setting. 

We therefore request that the following be considered:

1.   Central Maui (Kahului and Wailuku):

●  Convert the 2 upper tennis courts at Wailuku War Memorial into 3 designated pickleball courts.and install a permanent net at the vacant space below the upper courts where  the county has provided permanent pickleball lines.

● Reserve 2 spaces and add permanent pickleball lines at the tennis courts at Wells Park, Wailuku, or Kahului Community Park.

2.   Haiku:

●  Add permanent PB lines for 3 pickleball court spaces at the Haiku Field House. The players bring their own portable  nets. Players must agree that the space is to be shared or given up for basketball players. 

3.   Upcountry:

●  Add permanent PB lines to 1 tennis court to make 2 PB courts (to be used with portable nets), at Kula Community Center.

●  Build a new facility in upcountry with 6 - 8 PB courts, preferably in Kula where it is less windy.

4.   Kihei:

●  Add 4 new PB designated courts to Waipuilani Park. Resurface the older PB courts at Waipuilani Park where there are deep cracks, which pose a risk of serious injury.

5. Lahaina / West Maui:

●  Permanently convert 1 tennis court at the Lahaina Civic Center to a  PB court. The tennis courts there are greatly underutilized with typically only 1-3 courts in use at any given time. The 4 PB courts currently available are fully utilized

The West Maui Pickleball Ohana would like to thank the Maui County Department of Parks & Recreation for all the accommodations towards the westside players at the Lahaina Civic Center and at Napili Parki.    

Many of us have appealed to the Parks & Recreation Department, the Mayor’s office, and the Maui County Council, but little has been done to accommodate the growing demand for places to play (except for Lahaina/West Maui). We would appreciate your assistance and would welcome the opportunity to discuss this further in person or by phone.

Mahalo,

Maui Pickleball Ohana