KALAHEO — Aaron Uyeda, Vinny Parongao, and Aaron’s wife Lori missed work Friday. “We had to play in this tournament,” Aaron said. “We came close, but finished a game short of the bronze medal.” The trio were involved in the
KALAHEO — Aaron Uyeda, Vinny Parongao, and Aaron’s wife Lori missed work Friday.
“We had to play in this tournament,” Aaron said. “We came close, but finished a game short of the bronze medal.”
The trio were involved in the mens division play at the Aloha State Games Senior Olympics Pickleball Tournament which opened Friday morning at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center.
“We came all the way from Fresno, California for this pickleball tournament,” said Ron Yoshimoto, warming up for a Senior Men division match. “Of course, since we’re here, we want to look around the island, too.”
Nearly a hundred players from around the state and the Mainland descended on Kalaheo for the tournament.
Play starts at 7:30 a.m. for the women today and should continue until around 4:30 p.m. Sunday. There is mixed division playing from 7:30 a.m.
Kauai’s Philip Eliana posted a win on opening day.
“I’ve only been playing less than a year,” said Eliana, a racquetball champion. “Give me about two years and I might end up with one of those medals.”
Cody Bonilla was a paramedic on stand by duty.
“I play a little,” Bonilla said. “Usually I play with the fire guys at the Lihue Fire Station when they call.”
Spectators are welcome.
