A Conversation With Pickleball Aloha Ambassador Richard Kahalioumi

Richard K. at his home court @Holua Racquet and Paddle

Colorful.

Richard K’s clothing choices perfectly expresses who he is—vibrant and exuberant and also, he’s just cool like that.

We met one afternoon when I was in Kona on a day trip. I’d heard his name as being synonymous with Kona + pickleball from not one, not two, but three different people, and I knew I had to track him down.

Richard K. aka “Mr. Wrek”, owns and operates the Holua Racquet and Paddle in Kona. He’s been an integral part of the Big Island pickleball community, going back to 2018, when he was cornered and convinced to try pickleball.

At any given time, he opens up the 16 newly resurfaced courts at Holua Racquet and Paddle to anyone wanting to host tournaments, and hosts public Open Play every single day of the week. If there’s a pickleball tournament or event in Kona, Richard will be involved, guaranteed. He’s all about growing the sport of pickleball, and goes about it by exuding aloha and kindness, all the time.

When I visited, he accommodated my schedule, agreed to sit down with me on video, re-gripped a paddle and invited me to play before I had to run to the airport. He was Mr. Aloha not just to me, but I witnessed this with every single person that arrived at the Courts.

Oh, and also, he was “game” to field questions generated by a “Spin the Wheel” random question generator. Did I mention he was cool like that?

Join me in celebrating the Mr. Aloha of Kona pickleball!

So, Richard, you were a tennis player, right?

Yup, I got a tennis scholarship to UH-Hilo and played there.

Tennis or pickleball?

Ooooooh. (Pause) For playing—pickleball….for teaching—tennis.

How do you handle yourself mentally when you’re losing?

I just try to stay positive. I used to be competitive, by competitive I mean—throw my racket across the court competitive. I’m not like that anymore. I’ve come to realize that there are other things that are more important. In my mind, I just keep thinking about my kids…they’re my main reasons for everything.

What paddle do you use?

I use a longer handle paddle, the Selkirk Halo Control XL.

Aaaaaaand…here is the video interview with Richard. It’s a mash-up of questions—watch to get to know him and also to learn about a new and unique way to play pickleball tournaments!

Follow-up note: Richard’s band is called “Luhvlion and the Hahdhehds”

Find Richard on IG @Mr.Wrek and check out what’s going on in Kona pickleball at @HoluaRacquetandPaddle