Your Insider Guide to the Hawai‘i Pacific Health ESPN Honolulu Open
Hawai‘i’s largest pickleball tournament returns to the Hawai‘i Convention Center from Oct. 8–11.
Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino
The Hawai‘i Pacific Health ESPN Honolulu Open is back for its second year, bringing together pickleball players, enthusiasts and spectators from Hawai‘i, the Pacific and beyond. The event features 33 indoor courts, 800 players, amateur and open divisions, a $15,000 professional prize purse as well as a product expo.
This year, the tournament adds a Collegiate Invitational with teams from the University of Hawai‘i, University of Virgina, Indiana University and University of Southern California. The squads will battle it out in round-robin play for the chance to take home part of a $3,000 prize.
Keiki are also getting in on the action this year with a new division for ages 7–11 presented by Pickles at Forté. The youngsters can play in singles, doubles and other fun events under the same roof as local and national pros.
The tournament is presented by Hawai‘i Pacific Health and produced by aio Media Group. You may recognize the Tournament Directors, both well-known pickleballers in the community: Tadd Fujikawa, PGA golfer-turned-pickleball pro, and Margie Katras, a former tennis player and pickleball coach who gave Fujikawa his first pickleball lesson.
Click to the info you want to explore:
Photo: Jarin Kobashigawa
When and Where
The Hawai‘i Pacific Health ESPN Honolulu Open will take place from Thursday, Oct. 8, through Sunday, Oct. 11, at the Hawai‘i Convention Center, 1801 Kalākaua Ave.
How to Register
Player registration has closed, but spectators can watch for free with limited seating available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Where to Park
No parking will be allowed onsite at the Hawai‘i Convention Center. At nearby Ala Moana Center, paid parking is available in areas where “Premium” parking signs are posted. Scan the QR code on the sign and pay online.
Photo: Jarin Kobashigawa
What to Watch
Here is the tentative schedule, but expect changes based on how long the matches run:
Thursday, Oct. 8
2 to 9 p.m. Senior Mixed Doubles Matches
4 p.m. Collegiate Invitational Round-Robin Play
Friday, Oct. 9
8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Senior Men’s and Women’s Doubles
4 p.m. Collegiate Invitational Semifinals & Finals
Saturday, Oct. 10
8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Men’s and Women’s Doubles
Sunday, Oct. 11
8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mixed Doubles
12 p.m. Keiki Division
6 p.m. Mixed Doubles Finals
Photo: Jarin Kobashigawa
What to Do
In between matches, shop at the pickleball product marketplace featuring 10 local vendors selling all things related to the sport, from clothing to paddles to equipment. Hawai‘i Pacific Health will also be onsite offering health information and screenings. If hunger strikes, food and beverages will be available for purchase from the Hawai‘i Convention Center concessions. Heads-up: no outside food or drinks are allowed.
Photo: Jarin Kobashigawa
Tips
- If you’re traveling from a neighbor island for the tournament, Southwest Airlines is offering a 20% discount. Pagoda Hotel and Ala Moana Hotel by Mantra are also offering special rates. View the details here.
- With no onsite parking, players will need to arrive extra early to find parking and get warmed up before their match to avoid a forfeit.
- Sign up to volunteer at the tournament for a behind-the-scenes experience. As a reward, you’ll receive a cap and meal voucher and be entered in volunteer giveaways for prizes that include a J6CR Crystal paddle, Pilla Pickleball eyewear and a SwiftNet.
Hawai‘i Pacific Health ESPN Honolulu Open, Oct. 8–11, Hawai‘i Convention Center, 1801 Kalākaua Ave., Ala Moana, honoluluopen.com, @espnhonoluluopen
Laura Dornbush is a regular contributor to HONOLULU Magazine. @ldornbush
