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Tournament Overview

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Event Date

Saturday, February 28, 2026

Check-in starts at 8:00 AM

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Venue

Pickles at Forté

14 courts (exclusive use)

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Participants

Capacity: 200 players
Eligibility details below

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Entry Fee

USD 50
(JPY 6,500)

Eligibility: 

Participants from Japan must be individual members of PJF. Anyone residing, working, or studying in Honolulu's sister cities, or who has ties to those cities (such as having family there), is welcome to participate.


Participation Fee:

$50 (¥6,500)

Participation Perks (All Participants):

  • Complimentary tournament T-shirt

  • Light refreshments will be provided

     

About PJF Individual Membership Fees:​

🔵Participants from Japan
Those not yet registered as PJF individual members must pay an additional ¥2,500 (valid for one year) in addition to the above fee. Existing members do not need to pay the membership fee.


🔵 Participants residing overseas/USA
PJF individual membership registration is NOT required.

Match Format:

This event aims to foster player exchanges between sister cities. It will be held in a round-robin format, grouped by skill level, with an 11-point (gold, silver, and bronze medals determined by wins/losses and point differential). Participants will be paired with different partners each time, so individuals may join alone. Depending on registration numbers, we may consider gender-specific or mixed teams. Please note that the match format may change after registration.

Ball used:

Franklin X40

​Paddle:

Participants must have a UPA or USAPA approved paddle

Skill Level: Registration is now closed.

  1. Pro 4.5+

  2. Intermediate&Advanced 3.5~4.5 
    *Depending on the number of applicants, the intermediate&advanced may be divided into two levels.

  3. Beginner 3.0~3.5 

  4. Newbie 2.5+ 

*We do not have a waiting list.

The match schedule (draw) will be notified via email several days prior to the event.

Application Period:

December 15, 2025, 9:00 AM to February 14, 2026

Applications will close once capacity is reached.

Registration Steps:
STEP1) Register as a PJF Individual Member
Participants from Japan who are not yet registered as PJF Individual Members must register and pay via the PJF Individual Membership page. Existing members and overseas/USA residents may start STEP2.
 

STEP2) Pay Participation Fee

Please pay the $50 fee via this link.

STEP3) Submit Application Form
Please enter the required information and submit the form via the application button below.
 

Cancellation Policy:

Until January 31, 2026, refunds will be issued minus card processing fees and any foreign exchange rate differences.
After February 1, 2026, no refunds will be issued.

*Please arrange and cover your own travel and accommodation expenses.

Purpose of the Tournament

The State of Hawaii and the City of Honolulu maintain sister-city and friendship-city relationships with 34 cities across Japan.
 

As interest grows in strengthening these connections even further, we have organized a new exchange event centered around pickleball—an increasingly popular sport in Japan.
 

We are pleased to announce that the City of Honolulu has officially approved the launch of this event as the “1st Honolulu Mayor’s Cup.”

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We will promote ongoing sister-city exchange through pickleball and strengthen the connection between Honolulu and cities across Japan.
 

In addition, participants will visit Honolulu’s first dedicated indoor pickleball facility and its club community, helping support the sport’s further development in each sister city.

Reception

※Reception registration is now closed

​Venue (Website):

Consul General’s Official Residence, Consulate-General of Japan in Honolulu

Food & Beverages:
Catering will be provided by Zetton Inc., which operates Japanese restaurant ZIGU and café HEAVENLY Island Lifestyle Waikiki in Hawaii. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be served courtesy of the Consulate-General of Japan.


Program:
Enjoy a live ukulele performance by Jody Kamisato and two accompanying musicians.


Jody Kamisato Instagram:
ukeboy808


Registration:
Athletes traveling from sister cities in Japan to participate in Hawaii, local sponsoring companies, and tournament organizers will be invited. All attendees, including invited guests, are required to register individually in advance. The event secretariat will contact participants and related parties by email. Please complete your registration through the participation form provided in that email.

Program (One-Day Festival Format)

Tournament Day:
Saturday, February 28, 2026
Pickles at Forté (Downtown)

 

Tournament Format:

  • Newbie, Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, and Pro Category Round Robin Tournaments

  • Intercity Exchange Matches

  • Newbies participate in game formats with coaches rather than tournaments

8:00

Doors open, Part 1: Newbie and Beginner Players Check-in

8:30

Opening Remarks and Rules Explanation

9:00

Part 1: Sister City Challenge - Newbie and Beginner Tournament Begins

*Round-robin format, skill-based, individual competition

*Match format subject to change based on participant details

11:30

Part 2: Intermediate, Advanced, and Pro Players Check-In

12:00

Part 1: Newbie and Beginner Awards Ceremony and Photo Session

12:15

Part2: Rules Explanation

12:30

Part 2: Sister City Challenge - Intermediate, Advanced, and Pro Tournament Begins

*Round-robin format, skill-based, individual competition

*Match format subject to change based on participant details

17:00

Part 2:  Intermediate, Advanced, and Pro Awards Ceremony and Photo Session

18:00

Closing

Awards

Exciting prizes will be awarded!

ZIPAIR Round-trip tickets

to Honolulu - Tokyo X Four people

Dinner ticket for Hy’s Steak House
$350 x two people

Joola Paddles

Pro IV etc.

Sand Bar Cruise

Captain Bruce two sets for two people

Venue

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Address:
1032 Fort Street Mall, Honolulu, HI 96813
🌐 https://www.picklesatforte.com

 

Contact:
(808) 758-4683 | pickles@fortedoho.com
 

Number of Courts:
14 indoor pickleball courts

Venue Highlights:
Forté is Honolulu’s first dedicated indoor pickleball club, offering a high-quality playing environment unaffected by weather, along with a unique club community that aligns perfectly with the spirit of cultural exchange.


The club also provides strong support for tournament operations and has a solid structure in place to welcome participants from sister cities on an ongoing basis.
 

Key Contacts:

▼For inquiries regarding tournament

Customer Support: customer@pickleball-japan.org

 

▼Inquiries regarding sponsorship, venue, optional tours, and receptions

Honolulu Office: dd@m81.co

 

Toshihiro Shoji (Hawai’i Navigation Center of Japan) ts@m81.co

Rika Riordan (PJF Chairperson, JHPA President) rika@pickleball-Japan.org


Tournament Executive Committee:
Representatives from each participating Honolulu sister city

Supporting Sponsors

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Pickles at Forté

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Sun Noodle

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ZIPAIR

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Hawaiian Host Group

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JOOLA JAPAN

JAPAN

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ESPN HONOLULU

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Outrigger Hotels Hawaii

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Roberts Hawaii

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G. LION HAWAII (Hy’s Steak House)

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CAPTAIN BRUCE

(Heaven on the Sea Sandbar Cruise)

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Elders

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ITOEN Hawaii

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Urgent Care Clinic of Waikiki

Organizer

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Pickleball Japan Federation

Support

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Oahu Pickleball Association

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Consulate General of Japan in Honolulu

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