West Maui pickleball enthusiast Mark Tillman holds a ball and paddle.

LAHAINA — Stand back, Lahaina! Pickleball fever is spreading like a cane fire across the islands — and especially here on the West Side of the Valley Isle.

According to pickleball ambassador Mark Tillman, the sport — a cross between ping pong and tennis — took off in Hawaii in 2020, and the paddles have kept poppin’ ever since.

“It’s a finesse game, and the best players are usually over 65,” said Tillman with his trademark smile.

“It’s catching fire on its own, as it is such a fascinating game. All age groups can just show up and you can play, and the games usually last about 15 minutes. Games start at about seven in the morning until ten, and then the afternoon session runs from four to seven in the evening.”

Nicknamed “bangers,” pickleball players use an oversized (16-inch long) paddle, and the ball is similar to a wiffle ball but a little thicker. You can hit the ball fairly hard, but it slows down quickly before passing the net.

The court is one-quarter the size of a regulation tennis court, and the net is 34 inches high.

The smaller court size enables more players to participate.

Tillman expressed his concern that pickleball enthusiasts remain limited in available venues to play. He recently testified via Zoom before the Maui County Council regarding the availability of courts for the burgeoning pickleball bangers.

“There is a diverse camaraderie among pickleball players with all age groups mixing together like one. A true mixing of cultures in recreation. All meet and mingle among locals and tourists alike, which perpetuates a better visitor experience. Hundreds of all ages participate, and we’d like to see the county realize that pickleball is here to stay,” Tillman concluded.