MAY 2025 Magazine - FINAL

ALOHA PLAYS HERE • STARS STRIPES AND SERVES • MAY 2025

KEN SILVA

HOW A FORMER HONOLULU FIRE CHIEF BUILT A LEGACY OF SERVICE —AND NOW FINDS JOY, CHALLENGE, AND CONNECTION ON THE PICKLEBALL COURT

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MAHALO Presenting Sponsor HAWAI‘I LONG-TERM CARE SOLUTIONS Mahalo for supporting this issue of Hawaii Pickleball Magazine and helping us celebrate the spirit of our community.

Cover Photo Credit DAVID WETTER Thank you for capturing the heart of our cover story through your lens.

Tournament Giveaway Sponsor HONOLULU PICKLEBALL COMPANY Thank you for generously sponsoring last month's tournament giveaway of the J2TI+ paddle.

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”

Helen Keller

© 2025 Hawaii Pickleball Magazine. All rights reserved.

We love sharing our community’s stories — please don’t reuse without permission.

IN THIS ISSUE 05

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MIXED PLATE

KEN SILVA

Three choices, please

From Fire Chief to pickleball contender

ESPN HONOLULU TOURNAMENT A full photo gallery

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PB COURT STYLE

TIPS WITH A PRO

REFEREE CORNER

Tournament Edition

Ready, set, speed-up, with Coach Kyle Paredes

Certified Level 2 Referee Tracey Bennett answers your burning court Q’s

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GEAR REVIEWS FOR EVERYDAY PLAYERS

MOTHER’S DAY PB GIFT GUIDE

WHAT’S IN YOUR BAG?

Our team reviews Komodo Pickleball’s Bioball

Our curated gift guide for the pickleball moms in your life

A sneak peek into Xiao Yi Wang-Beckvall’s PB bag

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SALMON SLAM BOWL

AALII MENTORING PB MIXER FUNDRAISER

UPCOMING HAWAII PB EVENTS

Tiny cooker, big game

Gallery of pics at the event raising funds to develop the next gen

May calendar of events

© 2025 Hawaii Pickleball Magazine. All rights reserved.

We love sharing our community’s stories — please don’t reuse without permission.

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Some things are

bigger than the game.

This month, we pause to remember:

--Unknown Aloha Friends, Between backyard BBQs, beach days, and pickleball marathons, Memorial Day always feels like the unofficial kickoff to summer.

It’s a time to soak up the good stuff—sleeping in a little later (thanks to no school and less traffic!) and really, there’s no better excuse to make shave ice, bingsu, or a slush float a regular thing.

It’s also a chance to pause—to honor those who’ve served, reflect on the freedoms we enjoy, and appreciate the everyday heroes whose quiet strength holds our communities together.

In this issue, we’re proud to feature Ken Silva, former Honolulu Fire Chief, whose story is one of selfless service—and one shaped early on by the unwavering love and sacrifice of his mother.

It’s a reminder that service takes many forms—and sometimes the most life-changing kind begins at home.

Big mahalo to Jack Crouse (retired Honolulu firefighter) for making sure I connected with Ken. And mahalo to Hawai‘i Long Term Solutions for sponsoring this issue.

Thank you for reading, supporting, and growing this community with us. We’re so glad you’re here.

Happy Memorial Day and Happy Mother’s Day...see you on the courts!

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#Big Win

Gra friend Pri nds ze G (L)J ivea unko way and winne (R)S r Ko huko ko w ith

alwoha--Andy, S I g n y a Thai t plentland s d e n e B # hats and L a c Palakwood, Ma r e h S

#WinningLooksG ood Karen and Eile en, me Honolulu tour ney

daling at the ESPN

Three choice plate today: (1) Squad goals, senior edition.

(2) Congrats to our giveaway winner Koko, owning the court with her new Honolulu Pickleball Company paddle and a crew of friends by her side!

(3) These champs wore our shirts, crushed it on the court, and made our whole tourney weekend.

👏🏼

🎉

🥇

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ken silva

Photo: David Wetter

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Ken, being sworn in as the 33rd Honolulu Fire Chief in 2006

A LIFE OF SERVICE...

ANSWERING THE FIRST CALL “I wouldn't be a firefighter—let alone Fire Chief—if my mom hadn’t quietly saved her tips to fly me home for the HFD exam.” —Ken Silva

W

When Ken Silva stood at City Hall during his change of command ceremony as the newly named Fire Chief of the Honolulu Fire Department, he didn’t talk about personal achievements. Instead, he honored his mother.

“She brought me home when I couldn’t afford to come myself. That one act of love launched everything,” Ken said, reflecting on his 31-year career of service—a career that would include rescuing lives, leading a nationally accredited fire department and heading major disaster responses.

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WHERE THE JOURNEY BEGAN

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A mother’s quiet sacrifice lights the path to a lifelong calling.

Ken Silva’s life of service began with a dream and a mom who believed in him.

“I had a friend's dad that was a firefighter. So it interested me.”

After graduation, Ken left Hawai‘i to play college football at Foothill Junior College in California, where he joined a team that included several fellow Kamehameha Schools alumni. While there, he heard the Honolulu Fire Department was holding its entrance exam. He didn’t want to miss it so he called home—but his dad didn’t think they could afford a ticket back.

His mom, a coffee shop waitress, quietly started saving her tips and surprised him with a plane ticket. Ken flew home, took the test, stayed at a friend’s house and headed back to school without his dad ever knowing.

Years later, at his swearing-in ceremony as Fire Chief, Ken honored his mom.

“I wouldn’t be here if my mom hadn’t done that,” he reflected. “That one act of kindness—her saving up those tips—kickstarted my career.”

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Family by his side, Ken is sworn in as Honolulu’s Fire Chief in 2006.

H He was 18.

“And then I came back to UH and then I get a little postcard in the mail and it said, hey, are you still interested in being in the fire department?” he recalled.

After getting the call to join the recruit academy, Ken jumped right in. He put college on hold to complete the fivemonth training, then started full-time as a firefighter—all while finishing his degree and working as a bellman in Waikiki.

“There was a stretch where I worked 90 hours a week,” he said. “For three years, I only had three days off. I just kept my head down and went to work.”

That relentless drive paid off. He went back to UH for his Master’s Degree, and moved quickly up the ladder— from engineer to captain to battalion chief and assistant chief—eventually becoming Fire Chief in 2006. At every rank, he was one of the youngest ever promoted.

He said, “I've always believed that what you put in, you get out, and it doesn't matter what it is, right? It could be your education. It could be your work. It could be pickleball.”

But even with his rising responsibilities, Ken never lost sight of what mattered most.

When the call came that he’d been named Fire Chief, his wife was picking up their daughter from soccer practice, Ken told the Star-Bulletin. “I reheated leftovers and helped my son with his math quiz. I’m a career firefighter, but I’m also a dad and husband.”

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ken silva

Stepping into the Fire Chief role is a big commitment. What made you want to take that on?

I would say that becoming the fire chief is something that you really have to think about. It's a commitment. It's 24/7 and it doesn't only affect you--it's also a family decision as well...you cannot be half in, you have to be all in.

And I would think for anybody that wants to take on that role and responsibility, it's because they care about their community. They want to do a good job for their department. I think that's how it was for me.

And then I think we have a window of relevancy when we're in a position like that. It doesn't matter if you're a CEO of a company or the head of a government agency, we have a period of relevancy, where we can make an impact in our job. So you want to do the very best you can for that time period.

I was the fire chief for just about seven years and I say kind of tongue in cheek, but it's kind of like dog years. It goes by fast, but it also goes by slow. So it's the equivalent of 49 years out of your life---seven years for every year of service.

But you know, I feel fortunate. I had 31 years of service and I really mean it when I say it to folks that I enjoyed every single day that I had on the job. Some days more than others, but I have no regrets and I feel so blessed and so fortunate that I was able to work in the fire department to help keep our community safe, to meet so many great people.

What a blessing it was for me.

What were some of your biggest challenges and while you were in leadership at HFD? You know, a lot of times the challenge is not the technical. We train for the technical---how to respond to incidents, whether it's fires, medical emergencies, hazardous materials, terrorist issues, what have you.

It's going to be the intangible, the ones that you don't really have a lot of training for and you have to understand what it is. And I would say it even transcends into the workforce, especially today. How do you manage a workforce that's evolving? So the old style, you know, was that it's command and control.

I tell you what to do and you do it. No questions asked. In my career, we got to the point where people were asking questions and you have to understand how to evolve your leadership and management style for that.

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Screenshots from KHON 2's special report last year about Sacred Falls, 25-years post tragedy

The Sacred Falls tragedy—and the leadership lessons that shaped a chief.

📍 What Happened at Sacred Falls?

I haven't talked about it in years, but it was a day like any other. You had probably about 300 people that were at the falls on Mother's Day. And the witnesses after the fact when we had pieced everything together, all they heard was rumbling from up high. And then it was a cascading effect of rocks that had fallen from a height. Some as big as Volkswagens. And people started just mass evacuation. Many got hurt. Many died.

(Eight people died and 33 were injured). It was just that they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. And you know, they haven't opened the falls up since then.

Ken, then a battalion chief, was one of the first on scene.

He recalls, “so as this thing was unfolding, I had all my captains with me and the captain from the closest fire station to Sacred Falls was with me. So I had him jump in the vehicle, and we worked our way down there.

And when we got there, as we drove up to the trailhead, it was like we were witnessing a war movie. People that had self evacuated that had cuts and bruises and blood and mud and dirt and everything else.”

When asked about a defining moment in his career, Ken spoke about Sacred Falls. He said, “we were fortunate in that we had a lot of training in the incident command system. So putting together a coordinated response was something that we got to see in a large scale in real time. But we had a number of people that had died and a number of our first responders, our firefighters, that were exposed to mass trauma for a prolonged time.

And what we did learn was, how do we care for our people after the fact?”

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As Fire Chief, Ken never shied away from tough conversations—especially when it came to pushing for a consumer fireworks ban in Honolulu. It wasn’t popular, but he knew it was necessary.

This all became heartbreakingly clear on New Year’s Eve this past year, when a fireworks explosion killed six people---including a 3-year-old boy—and more than 20 people were seriously injured. Several had to be flown to the mainland for critical burn treatment.

It was the deadliest fireworks-related tragedy in recent memory—exactly the reason why Ken fought so hard for change.

Ken with th

e late Sen

ator Danie

l Inouye

Although the ban he helped pass remains in place today, enforcement has proven to be incredibly difficult. Illegal fireworks still flood neighborhoods every New Year’s, and the challenges of policing fireworks have made the law’s effectiveness limited. Still, the foundation Ken helped lay has kept safety at the forefront of public conversations—and underscores the vital need for continued efforts to protect Hawaii’s communities.

“When we pushed for the ban, we knew it wasn’t just about noise—it was about safety,” Ken said.

“One tragic moment can change a life forever. If we can prevent that, we should.”

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Red Cross, ministry, and the calling to keep showing up for others.

Ken retired from HFD in 2012 after 31 years— but he didn’t slow down. He stepped right into another leadership role as Chief Operating Officer for the American Red Cross Hawaii Chapter, helping expand its regional reach across the Pacific.

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SERVING WITHOUT A BADGE

After a lifetime of service, a moment of celebration—Ken and his family at his HFD retirement.

Not long after, longtime friend Pastor Wayne Cordeiro asked him to join the team at New Hope Oahu. Ken said no at first.

“I told him I just wanted to come to church—I didn’t want to peek behind the curtain,” he joked. But when Wayne asked again, Ken agreed, and he spent over six years as a staff pastor.

Today, he’s still at it. Ken serves as Chair of the Honolulu Police Commission, volunteers with his church, and leads the Honolulu Firefighters Foundation, which he co-founded while Fire Chief.

The foundation pledges $25,000 a year to the Straub Burn Unit, provides financial support to families of fallen firefighters, and funds community-building events like HFD family days and museum programs.

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GAME ON: ONE THIRD SHOT DROP (DRIVE!?) AT A TIME Ken played multiple sports in high school, went on to play football and wrestle in college, and throughout his years in the fire department, staying physically fit was simply part of the job. Even after retiring, he stayed close to the ocean—paddling canoe and surfing regularly as a longtime member of the Outrigger Canoe Club, often getting out on the water five days a week.

It was during that stretch, living in Kaneohe, that he first heard about pickleball. Curious, he and his wife decided to swing by the district park one Sunday after church to check it out. The courts were packed.

Ken immediately spotted a retired firefighter playing, and he invited him to join in.

That’s how it all started for Ken. He got his first paddle as a Christmas gift in 2021. A few months later, he entered his first tournament— and won gold in both men’s and mixed 55+ 3.5.

He admitted, “once I started playing, I can see how you can go down that rabbit hole. Then it was like, oh, I better balance this thing. So I've been playing for a couple of years now. I probably only got serious about it maybe, in the last six months or so.“ Now, he plays 3–4 times a week, trains with partners, and watches what his wife lovingly calls “way too much pickleball YouTube.” He rotates between the Mod TA and J2K Pro paddles, and at the time of our conversation, had been gearing up for the APP Sacramento Open.

“I’d describe my game as evolving,” he said. “There’s always more to learn—and that’s what keeps me coming back.”

Favorite pickleball shot? 3rd shot drive Worst pickleball habit you’re trying to break?

Not warming up properly before matches If you could play doubles with any pro, who would it be?

Jaume Best piece of advice you've ever received (pickleball or life)?

Be patient One thing people would be surprised to know about you?

I prefer surfing over any other sport Favorite local food spot on Oahu? Outrigger Canoe Club Favorite morning beverage? One cup of coffee Morning person or night owl? Morning for sure

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Q+A What do you love about pickleball?

I think the reason for its popularity is it's a every person's game. You can be young, you can be old, and you can play. You can play at the level that you want. If you want to be a rec player, or if you want to be a tournament player, you can pursue that. And it can also be very social. And so I think it fulfills a lot of things that people, people like, and that's how they get attracted to the sport.

What are your goals in pickleball?

I'd like to get serious this year. I'd like to make more time. I'd like to get to nationals and try to do something there.

And I also know that, you know, pickleball is an evolution that you have to expose yourself and you're going to take some knocks and get beat up a little bit.

But if you work hard, then hopefully you can advance.

Are there goals you're pursuing outside of pickleball?

We want to make sure that our family is healthy and happy. I have two kids and been very blessed that they're both successful. I joke that we want our kids to be happy and successful and we want to get them off of our payroll.

Anything else on your mind?

I think I would encourage those that have been watching from a distance, wanting to try pickleball and maybe a little nervous. Everybody starts the same way, right? But to just jump in and to find a group that you can initially play with and just get your feet wet, because once you start playing, it's just, it's such a beautiful sport.

What would you say to someone who says pickleball isn’t a real sport?

I would say that was me. I said, “Pickleball? Come on. That's not a sport.” And I tell this story---the first time I went to play pickleball, I didn't even bring water with me. And I ended up playing for three and a half hours. And I was totally wiped out because I was dehydrated. I was exhausted.

I say, this thing can check off a lot of boxes. If you want to be competitive, you can be as competitive as you want.

If you want to be recreational, you can be recreational. If you want to find and make friends, absolutely. So it checks all the boxes.

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0 0 Ken, with his doubles partner, David Sumabat, at the ESPN Honolulu Tournament

S T A R T

Ken jokes that he’s “retired, retired, retired”—each retirement simply leading to another form of service. From the fire department to the Red Cross, to ministry, and now to volunteer work, he’s never really stopped showing up. “I don’t get paid for anything I do now,” he said. “I just volunteer my time.”

For someone so deeply rooted in community—and who lives with such a sense of gratitude and service—it’s no surprise. “I’ve been so blessed in this community,” he added. “You want to give back.”

And that’s the thread running through it all—Ken never stopped answering the call.

0-0-start. What’s next?

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Four days.

811 players.

An army of volunteers.

Photo gallery follows →

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Making it all happen behind the scenes (clockwise): the volunteer desk, Oahu Pickleball Association President Donna Ching, Danny Tengan going the extra mile to keep play rolling by fixing the court surface, Tournament Director Dean Osaki, and Referee Vicky Smith at work

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court style: tournament edition‌

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court style: tournament edition‌

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TIPS FROM A PRO: Kyle paredes

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Today’s tip: SPEED-UPS Welcome to the second video in a series of videos with Coach Kyle Paredes and Lynn Wardwell. In this video, Kyle discusses speed-ups: the mindset, when to use them, and how to execute them.

Meet the Pro: Kyle Paredes, B.A., ACSM-EP, has served the community as an exercise and sports physiologist for over 25 years, and is the pioneer of Corporate wellness in Honolulu. He’s a PPR Certified Pickleball Pro, an Engage Pickleball Athlete, and previously served as the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at Hawaii Pacific University and St. Louis School. He’s also the President and Founder of Sportech-USA (sports performance training) and the owner of the Arsenal FC Hawaii soccer club and Team Chillaxin’.

PicklePro SportTech-USA

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Referee corner With L2 Referee Tracey Bennett

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Q. I understand that if I’m in the kitchen, I have to let the ball bounce before I hit it. How long can I stay in the kitchen?

A. Let’s go straight to the Rulebook 9.G.: A player may stay inside the non-volley zone to return a ball that has bounced. There is no violation if a player does not exit the non-volley zone after hitting a ball that bounces.

Remember that old saying, “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen”? You can live in the kitchen (or non-volley zone), if you want to. But it’s going to get hot in there because your opponents will use you for target practice. You can’t volley from the NVZ, so when a ball is barreling at you, what are your choices? Duck, dive or dodge.

You shoulda skedaddled outta there.

Remember this: Before volleying again, you need to contact the court outside the NVZ with both feet. No need to stomp on the court; a light brush will do.

9.D. If a player has touched the non-volley zone for any reason, that player cannot volley a return until both feet have made contact with the playing surface completely outside the non-volley zone. A maneuver such as standing within the non-volley zone, jumping up to hit a volley, and then landing outside the non-volley zone is a fault.

Q. How about this scenario: I volley from outside the NVZ, but my momentum is carrying me forward. I’m teetering there, trying to regain my balance. Two shots later my partner hits a winner. Is it a fault if I then step into the NVZ? A. Yes. The clock on an NVZ momentum fault doesn’t stop when the rally ends. Like a good watch, it keeps on ticking.

Rulebook 9.C.1. It is a fault even if the ball becomes dead before the player contacts the non-volley zone.

The best way to end this teetering business? Your partner pulls you back to safety. However, your partner must not touch the NVZ while doing so. That would be a fault.

Check out Tracey’s spotlight feature HERE.

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GEAR + PADDLE REVIEWS FOR EVERYDAY PLAYERS Real, relatable, and practical paddle + gear reviews for everyday players---through the eyes of real players, not just pros.

This month, we tested the Komodo Bio-Ball, the first USAPA-approved pickleball made with a special biodegradable polymer that helps it break down faster in a landfill environment—around 3-5 years compared to the decades traditional balls can take. It's designed to deliver high performance while being much gentler on the planet.

If you're looking for a pickleball that plays great and feels good for the planet, the Komodo BioBall is definitely worth a closer look. Our players gave it a real workout—indoors, outdoors, in 50+ games, and drills—and they shared their honest take (no sponsorships, just real feedback).

Performance: The first thing everyone noticed? The BioBall plays really well. It had a lively bounce, consistent flight, and just the right amount of pop. One player said, "How the ball felt off the paddle is 'crisp,' and I love that feel. It feels slightly stiffer than Franklin and not as heavy as Selkirk."

Even after dozens of games, the ball stayed in great shape—no warping, no weird bounces, just solid, reliable play. Whether you were dinking, driving, or resetting, the ball felt natural and easy to handle.

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What Else We Noticed on the Court Quick Take:"It plays crisp and clean—plus it’s better for the planet.

What’s not to love?"

Visibility: Visibility was a bit of a mixed bag. Some players said it was super easy to track, while others thought it could pop a little more, especially indoors. Maybe a few extra color options could help?

Environmental Impact: The real kicker? It's biodegradable—and players loved that. One player shared, "No one really noticed any difference playing with a BioBall, but some players who didn't know we were playing with one came to me after the game and asked me what kind of ball it was. They felt something different when they hit the ball and liked that crisp feel."

Knowing you’re making a better choice for the planet without sacrificing playability made the whole experience feel even better.

The Verdict: 5/5 Bottom line: the Komodo BioBall got a perfect 5 out of 5 stars from our players. They loved the way it played, appreciated its durability, and were all-in on the environmental perks.

Areas for Improvement: If there's one thing players pointed out, it's that the logo tends to rub off pretty quickly, especially outdoors. As one player put it, "It would be nice to have something lasting forever like Franklin's 'X' on the ball indicating it’s a BioBall."

A few players also mentioned that the price might be a little steep if you're burning through a lot of balls. They’d love to see a bulk option or bundle deal to make it an even easier yes.

If Komodo offers more color options and maybe a more durable logo in the future, this ball could easily become a regular in a lot of players' bags— especially for those who want to play a little greener.

Bioball 8-pack $28.97 Komodo Pickleball

Final Verdict: Great play, good vibes, and a win for the planet.

Bioball 4-Pack $19.95 Amazon* *affiliate link

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GIFTS FOR MOMS

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1. Pajamashere Pickleball Pattern Pajama Set $45.97 2. Ria Eyewear Nova Pickleball Sunglasses $189.00 3. The Dainty Dinker Pickleball Cuff $50.00 4. Mark & Graham Pickleball Silver Platter​$135.00 5. Mark & Graham Spartina Pickleball Backpack $129.00 6. Karen Adams Pickleball Court Note Cards $139.95 7. Maisonette Women's Sporty Love T-Shirt $48.00- $58.00 8. Rhone Course to Court Dress $118.00 9. Tory Burch Jersey V Neck Tennis Dress $248.00 10. Pickleball front door Mat $49.00

11. Fresh Pickle Pickleball Pajamas $85.00 12. JOOLA Perseus Pro 4 Paddle at On Point Sports $280 13. Versace Barocco Pickle Ball Rackets $250.00 14. Vismaya Pickleball Embroidered Scarf $28.00 15. “Dink with Aloha” Canvas Tote Bag $22 16. Nordstrom Boxed Pickleball Notecards $20.00 17. Uncommon Goods Pickleball Snack Bowl Server $35.00 18. SB Design Studio Sport Towel $16.00 19. Millstream Bainbridge Pickleball Hook Pillow $36.00 20. Minted Pickleball Posters $30.00 21. Pai Pickleball Visor $35

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WHAT’S IN YOUR BAG?

XIAO YI WANGBECKVALL

Since picking up a paddle in 2022, Xiao Yi Wang-Beckvall has been racking up the wins and now reps Team Selkirk on the pro circuit.

Sneak a peek inside her pickleball bag!

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WHAT’S IN YOUR BAG, XIAO YI? Let’s start with your bag. What brand and why?

The bag I’m using right now is by Selkirk. I like that it has a lot of compartments and it’s comfortable to wear.

What shoes are you playing with?

I switch between the Adidas Avacourt 2 tennis shoes and the Selkirk Courtstrike Pro in light blue (my favorite color).

What paddle(s) do you use and why did you choose it?

I’m using Selkirk’s SLK HALO Pro Max paddle. I like that it has a good balance of power and feel for the ball.

Any accessories?

I wear the Adidas Superlite Visor and use an iGo wrist band, and if I’m playing outdoors I wear my Astes sunglasses.

What snacks and drinks keep you energized on the court?

My go-to drink before playing is a Sambazon Amazon Energy drink, the original acai version, but I just call it a ‘sambazon’. I really like how they taste, and it’s an added bonus that it’s pretty healthy as far as energy drinks go--it’s organic and has antioxidants in it.

Snackwise, lately I’ve been really liking Strawberry Yoggies. They’re a probiotic yogurt covered strawberry gummy, so it’s technically healthy as well, but I eat them because they taste good and are easy to eat on the court.

Any lucky charm or a quirky or sentimental item you carry with you?

I generally try to keep my bag as light as ossible and keep it to only the essentials, but I do have a jade dragon charm on my bag.

I was born in 2000, the year of the golden dragon.

My mom gave me the dragon charm as a symbol of luck and protection so I wear that on my pickleball bag and take it with me on my travels.

What’s the one item you can’t live without on the court?

Definitely a towel. I sweat a lot, especially my hands, so a towel is a must for me.

Also, Liquid IV packets are another must because of how much I sweat, so these are essential to keep me hydrated and feeling good on the court even in tough conditions.

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HAWAII PICKLEBALL MAGAZINE

SALMON SLAM LAM BOWL ‌S FROM THE TINY COOKER, BIG GAME SERIES

Confession: I’m OBSESSED with my tiny rice cooker. ‌

Years ago, I bought this teeny rice cooker to take on the road during summer baseball road trips. It was compact, dependable, and made just the right amount for my son’s pre-game breakfasts.

Then, like a lot of gadgets, it ended up in storage... for four years.

But now that it’s back in my life? Total game changer. It’s fast (a must for me!), and perfect for tossing in whatever you’ve got on hand. Just plop the ingredients in, press “cook,” and 40-ish minutes later, you’ve got a healthy, portion-right-sized meal.

This Salmon Slam Bowl is my lunch go-to. It’s got protein from salmon and edamame, complex carbs from brown rice, and a rainbow of veggies that bring all the crunch and flavor. Light enough to eat before you hit the courts, but satisfying enough to power your whole game.

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GAME PLAN FOR ONE Slam Bowl: The Play-by-Play

WHAT TO DO Rinse your rice, then add the water and chicken bouillon. Stir.

Place the salmon fillet on top of the rice, and arrange the veggies around and over it—don’t worry about perfect placement.

Press “Cook” and let your rice cooker do its thing (mine takes about 40 minutes).

When it’s done, fluff gently, sprinkle with furikake, and give it a quick toss. Done and delicious.

White Rice Variation

INGREDIENTS Note: this recipe is made in a tiny rice cooker, max capacity of 3 C. cooked rice

Not into brown rice? No problem—use: 1/4 cup white rice

1/2 frozen salmon fillet, defrosted 1/2 cup water

1/4 cup brown rice (see variation ➡️ for white rice) 3/4 cup water

Follow the same steps—just note it’ll cook faster...mine cooks with white rice in about 20 minutes.

1/2 tsp chicken bouillon

“Tiny” 3 C rice cooker 1 cup chopped won bok (Napa cabbage) A small handful of snow peas, julienned A handful of frozen shelled edamame Chopped carrots (I used the pre-chopped ones from Whole Foods—no shame in a shortcut!)

Furikake, to taste

“Normal” 5 C. rice cooker

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SLAM BOWL IN ACTION >

Start to finish, one pot magic.

Top: Ingredients layered and ready to go (yes, that’s frozen edamame).

Bottom: Cooked to perfection without lifting a finger.

Right: Tossed with furikake and ready to serve.

Why I Love This

💗

It’s zero fuss. Just toss everything in the rice cooker and walk away.

It’s packed with color, crunch, and feel-good ingredients.

I almost always have these things on hand (thank you, freezer veggies).

Portion control? Built right in. No leftovers to forget in the back of the fridge.

HAWAII PICKLEBALL MAGAZINE

AALII MENTORING PICKLEBALL MIXER FUNDRAISER

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The pickleball community came out in full force for the Aʻaliʻi Mentoring Pickleball Mixer FUNdraiser —and the results were pretty amazing. With 100 players, over 40 volunteers, and $8,000–$9,000 worth of lucky prize donations, the event raised nearly $45,000 to power Aʻaliʻi Mentoring’s programs—a 73% boost from last year’s total!

Aʻaliʻi Mentoring helps Hawaii’s young adults from under-resourced communities build brighter futures through one-to-one mentoring, career readiness, and life skills development.

Beyond the games, prizes and good fun, the day was a powerful show of support for the mentors and young people building stronger futures together.

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UPCOMING PICKLEBALL EVENTS

May 17: Oahu: Hookuku Pickleball Tournament, Schofield Barracks May 24: Oahu: King Intermediate Pickleball Fundraiser, Kaneohe May 31: Oahu: Maui Wildfire Disaster Relief Pickleball Fundraiser, Honolulu

The complete list of all upcoming tournaments and events in Hawaii

HI PB

vibe check ✅ Played a sunrise match this week 🌅 ✅ Cheered for your opponent’s point 👏🏼 ✅ Tried a new court 🏓 ✅ Forgot your water bottle 🤦🏻‍♀️ ✅ Made a new friend on the courts 👯‍♀️ ✅ Read this magazine cover to cover 🤓 ✅ Subscribed to our newsletter (right?) 📲 ✅ Told a friend to do the same 🗣️

✅ Got a story or a player we should feature? Let us know! 📣

✅ Know someone who’d love to connect with this community? We’d love to hear from them 📧 👋 Want to get involved? Become an ambassador or contributor—we’re always looking for people who love the game and our Hawaii PB community.

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