Pickleballer in the 808: Norman Kawakami

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Jun 18

Norman Kawakami Hawaii Pickleball — *Pickleballer in the 808 Norman Kawakami*

Honolulu—Introducing the first of our Pickleball 808 ambassadors (community members who are on on a mission to connect Hawai’i pickleball players and spread aloha at the courts)—Norman Kawakami.

He’s semi-retired yet very busy, hanging out at the pickleball courts, in the ocean, and on the golf course. Somehow, in between all the things he’s got goin’ on, he still finds time to volunteer, facilitate a bunch of pickleball groups, and serve as a roving photographer for this newsletter/blog.

Without further ado, please meet Pickleballer in the 808 Norman Kawakami!

*Norman, with his doubles partner, George Manzano, at the Chillaxin’ Pickleball Tournament.*

Currently residing in:

Honolulu

Where did you grow up and what high school did you go to?

I grew up in Honolulu and graduated from da bestest school in Hawaii—W.R. Farrington High School.

How did you discover pickleball and when did you start playing?

A couple catalysts—I got bored during Covid and heard about the sport through a friend who played on the mainland, coupled with my wife’s past tennis experience…we decided to take the plunge.

I approached a gentleman, Dean Marple on January 8, 2021, at the Manoa courts who was playing/training a group of young women including his daughter, local resident Amy McKenna.

I asked him if he was giving lessons, and he said no, just visiting Amy from Arizona. He invited me to join him and his wife that afternoon for a free lesson. I remember the date because I tripped and fell flat on my face in the first 10 minutes and sustained a big gash on my eye. It was because I was wearing running shoes and I had to go to urgent care.

I did play for another hour after falling, then went to urgent care and received 7 stitches, but nonetheless fell in love with the sport!! Bought tennis/pickleball specific shoes that week!!

What do you do outside of pickleball?

Although I’m retired, I work part-time at Kaimuki Middle School in the cafeteria and at Bayview Mini-Putt & Zipline facilitating groups of active kupuna to participate in mini-putt activities.

I also swim, play golf, take a self defense class, travel, participate in a variety of church activities, and work out.

What do you love most about pickleball?

Relative ease and cost of getting into the sport, but most of all the camaraderie, fellowship, and countless new friends I have met who I now genuinely refer to as ohana.

What paddle are you currently playing with?

Currently the Honolulu Pickleball Company’s Sword & Shield J1, but transitioning this month to their new Kevlar series J2K Pro Model.

How often do you play?

3-4x per week at different locales around Oahu.

Anything else on your mind that you’d like to share?

My mantra regarding pickleball: the most important aspects of Pickleball- have fun, display good sportsmanship, treat people the way you want to be treated, be courteous to all participants, hydrate, warm up & warm down properly.

And a very and a totally underrated critical component- PLAY SAFE by wearing proper footwear. Safety is more important than anything!!!

Get good court shoes - either tennis or pickleball specific.