Pickleballer in the 808: Annie Yonashiro
Pickleballer in the 808: Annie Yonashiro and her husband Roy, on a trip to Japan (to play PB) with 15 of her pickleball friends
Honolulu—Once you meet her, you’re forever changed.
Annie Yonashiro makes an indelible mark on you, with her infectious enthusiasm, her ability to connect and move people, her determination to make a real difference in people’s lives, and… her killer serve.
People came out of the woodwork to tell me about Annie and to gush, really gush, about her.
Annie is so beloved that for her 70th Birthday (say whaaaaat? She looks waaaay younger!), her friends orchestrated a parade wearing “Annie” masquerade masks, as a tribute to her. She’s affectionately referred to as the “Queen of the Court” and endearingly as the “Queen of their Hearts”🥰.
At the party, guests shared, one by one, stories about how they were personally touched by Annie.
It took half an hour to get through everyone!
Hearing each guest share their story about Annie’s generosity and aloha was confirmation of just how far and wide her reach is…and how much impact she’s had.
And she’s not done yet.
That said, you just have to meet Pickleballer in the 808 Annie Yonashiro!
Annie, in her birthday throne, surrounded by pickleball friends (donning “Queen Annie” masquerade masks) at her 70th birthday party
Currently residing in: Honolulu
Where did you grow up and what high school did you go to?
I grew up in Hilo and graduated from Hilo High School...Home of the Vikings!
How did you discover pickleball and when did you start playing?
When I retired almost three years ago, our friends gave my husband and I paddles for a retirement gift. They took us to Petrie courts to play and we haven't stopped playing since!
What do you love most about pickleball?
I played tennis for years and stopped while raising our kids. I love hitting the ball, going for my favorite shots and learning the strategy of the game.
It's great exercise too!
I also love meeting so many new friends through rec play and in the league. Our circle of friends keeps growing and growing!
I learned that you helped struggling restaurants during the pandemic by providing free delivery of their food. This has evolved into the “Take Out Gang Program” and you just recently completed your 22nd delivery. What is the “Take Out Gang Program” and what inspired the idea?
Roy has a band called Deja Blu that plays at Growler Hawaii in Kapahulu.
When COVID hit in March 2020 and restaurants could only do take out, we wanted to support them. We emailed some of our friends who go to Roy's gigs and told them “let's order take out food from them, we’ll pick it up and do free delivery contactless”.
Everyone loved the idea!
All the monies go directly to the restaurants. After that first successful delivery, we continued to support local restaurants. We chose some of our favorite restaurants and selected others because we’d heard of them from friends. Some restaurants were from ads we saw in the newspapers or TV, and some were featured on Cheap Eats!
Annie and her husband, Roy, loading up their car with food orders during the COVID pandemic
How do you feel this impacted the local restaurants and community?
By doing our Take Out Gang volunteer program, it not only brings in the much needed revenue to the restaurants, it also gives them a lot of exposure and free advertisement.
Lots of our friends are now regular customers to those restaurants.
What were some of the challenges you faced?
I really haven’t faced any challenges.
I'm very organized in setting this up with the restaurants, the families receiving the dinners and with the drivers. I confirm everything with everyone so it works.
Having three other volunteer drivers—Ken, Becky and Alan, helps make the delivery run smooth in a timely manner.
Can you share a memorable story or experience from the “Take Out Gang” program?
I approached a manager of a restaurant to tell her we would like to do this Take Out Gang program with them and explained how it works.
She was so shocked we would do this for them that she started to cry.
It's really nice to know we've helped so many restaurants and they appreciate it.
Annie with Roy, pickleball friends (and drivers!) Becky and Alan, with the restaurant owner and team
Do you plan to continue the free food deliveries supporting local restaurants?
Yes!
I've got lots of friends who love to eat and try different restaurants!
If there's anyone who'd like to do this even on a smaller scale, let me know. I can explain it in detail.
A little birdie told me that the Take Out Gang program is only one of many charitable projects you’ve led. I learned that you authored six cookbooks with all proceeds (over $100K) going to charities including the Hawaii Bone Marrow Donor Registry, Kapiolani Medical Center, Meals on Wheels, American Cancer Society, Special Olympics East Hawaii, and the Oahu Pickleball Association. Do tell.
I love helping others, making a difference and getting people together for a good cause and a good time, but really, I'm just a Hilo motor mouth girl!
Annie with one of her cookbooks
What do you do outside of pickleball?
I love to travel, entertain, and I have a big passion for cooking, creating new recipes, eating and sharing. My pickleball pal Becky and I put together several fundraiser cooking classes for charity and shared them with friends. Fun!
Our pickleball gang plays mahjong weekly and I love being a Grannie to my two grandsons Brooks and Parker!
Annie and Becky, putting on a cooking class for charity
What paddle are you playing with?
I play with the Engage and Ronbus paddles.
How often do you play?
Usually 5-6 days a week.
Anything else on your mind?
I just love this game and how it brings people younger and older together...that's so cool!
Annie, her mother and Roy, with three Big Island non-profit recipients (awarded with proceeds from her cookbook)
Thank you Annie, for sharing your story and for your generosity and aloha in all you do!
