Finding His Rhythm: Rick Komori’s Pickleball Journey

Pickleball feature: Spotlight on Rick Komori

An Oahu native who dove into pickleball in 2022 as a way to stay active—and now plays five days a week.

Honolulu—For Rick Komori, pickleball started as a way to stay active but quickly grew into a passion that fills most of his week. An Oahu native and Moanalua High graduate, he first picked up a paddle in 2022 and hasn’t looked back since. What began with a few casual games has turned into a steady routine that keeps him on the courts nearly every day.

What drives him most is the community—especially the connections he’s made at K2, where he looks forward to seeing familiar faces and tracking their progress each month. Seeing others improve pushes him to keep working on his own game, and with big goals ahead, he’s excited to see where pickleball takes him next.

Without further ado, please meet Pickleballer in the 808 Rick Komori!

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

Born and raised in Oahu my whole life. Moanalua High school grad ‘09.

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

I first heard about pickleball when interviewing my CEO during his anniversary with Hawaiian Host. I started exercising more by walking and eventually tried pickleball as a way to stay active.

Started September 24th 2022. Played on some tennis courts but eventually got kicked off by tennis players.

What do you love most about pickleball?

I love the community and meeting new people! Especially at K2 where I see familiar faces every month. Seeing their growth inspires me to continue to become better!

What do you do outside of pickleball (hobbies, work, volunteerism, school, etc.)?

I work for Hawaiian Host Group known for chocolate macadamias. I work closely with all of our international partners.

How often do you play?

I play 5 times a week. Monday and Fridays are my rest days.

What paddle are you using, and what do you like about it?

I’m using the Volair V.1F/ HYB 16MM.

I fell in love with the spin and control Volair paddle provides. It’s the reason why I signed up for their Ambassador program.

What is the next goal you’re working toward (in pickleball or otherwise)?

My goal is to be more consistent and improve my footwork.