Pete Manzano: From Waipahu to Leader of the KLPC Crew

Honolulu—If you’ve ever rolled up to Keehi Lagoon Park on a Saturday morning, you know it’s more than just a game—it’s a full-on pickleball experience.

Tents. Food. Drinks. Laughter.

At the center of it all is a soft-spoken organizer who helps make it all happen. With a paddle in hand and a heart for community, he’s created a space where everyone feels welcome, whether you’re a regular or just stopping by.

Born in the Philippines and raised in Waipahu, he grew up skating and surfing more than studying. But since discovering pickleball during the pandemic, he’s helped grow one of the most welcoming groups on the island. From playing with the Natch Krew on Thursday nights to hosting a full-blown tournament at Keehi, he’s become a key figure in Oahu’s pickleball scene.

In fact, just this past weekend, Pete helped organize and run the KLPC (Keehi Lagoon Pickleball Community) PB Tournament, where participants used words like “first-class tournament” and “priceless” to describe their experience.

Without futher ado, please meet Pete Manzano!

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

I actually was born in the Philippines. I came to Oahu when I was just two years old.

I grew up in Waipahu near August Ahrens Elementary school for about 8 years, then moved to Waipahu Cultural Gardens area after that. I studied but mostly skateboarded and surfed during my High school days at Waipahu High School.

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

I was invited to play pickleball from my nephew to join a group at Moanalua Community Park. I believe like most people we all started during the pandemic time late 2019 or early 2020?

What do you love most about pickleball?

The first thing I love about pickleball is the exercise, especially at my age in order to keep up with the younger players. Mostly what I love is meeting and getting to know other players around the world about their personal lives and not just pickleball.

How often do you play?

I play twice a week maybe 3 times if I feel like it. Thursday nights I play with the Natch Krew and Saturday mornings at Keehi Lagoon Park with KLPC.

What paddle are you playing with and why did you choose it?

The paddle that I play with is the PikNinja Black Lotus. It’s from a company in Minneapolis, MN owned by Fu Yei.

I love this paddle because mostly to support the PikNinja family. It doesn’t have the big name yet like a lot of paddles out there but to me it plays Big. “It has the all court hybrid power and control with an impressive swing and twist weight at 2100+ rpm.” Check it out at www.PikNinja.com.

What do you do outside of pickleball?

Other interests in my life is video chatting with my two beautiful granddaughters who are about 2756 miles away from here. Or just making or buying things for the pickleball community like a tent, blower, tarp, squeegee and even several misting fans. Other than that, just watching a lot of pickleball videos on YouTube.

Pete’s family (with son/PB player/Natch PB founder Zach Manzano), and below with his granddaughters