Teaching Never Retires: Jana Chang’s Next Chapter

Pickleball Spotlight: Jana Chang, with her Courtside Q’s prompt cards

From the classroom to the court, one educator’s heart for community continues to lead the way

In Hawai‘i pickleball circles, Jana Chang is often mentioned alongside Gary Nakano. Frequently mistaken for husband and wife, the two are best known as the Jana and Gary duo behind Courtside Qs for Hawaii Pickleball Magazine. What began as a mixed doubles partnership has since grown into a shared mission—co-building programs and championing the next generation of players.

A longtime educator with a Ph.D., Jana brings that same teaching instinct onto the court. Officially retired as of December 2025—though she’ll be the first to say she’s somehow busier than ever, she’s channeling her expertise and energy into mentoring and coaching young players.

Fun, spirited, and fueled by aloha, Jana’s presence is contagious, and a reminder that the most meaningful work in pickleball often happens between the points.

Without further ado, please meet HPM Ambassador Jana Chang!

Currently residing in: Honolulu, Hawai’i.

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

I grew up in Pearl City and graduated from St. Andrew’s Priory.

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

I got addicted to pickleball in February 2022 after attending a clinic at the Plaza Hotel in Las Vegas. I haven’t stopped playing since then.

What do you love most about pickleball?

What I love most is teaching pickleball and bringing new players into the pickleball ‘ohana who “play smart, play safe, and play forever”! It breaks my heart to hear about so many people getting injured and I’ve learned from experience that it’s somewhat preventable. I also love the communities that have formed around pickleball. Capturing the 12 days of Christmas.

How often do you play?

If you count my playful teaching, I play about 6 times a week.

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

I’m using the Joola Perseus IV; I like how it balances control and power, allowing me to craft shots.

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

I want to keep getting better at teaching pickleball, especially to kupuna and keiki. There’s a saying, “one teach, two learn;” the practice of teaching and observing how students approach and respond to feedback helps me to grow as an instructor. I love trying different strategies and believe that, with the right instruction, everyone can grow.

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

Last month, I retired after over 30 years in education. I’m decompressing…working on my “next chapter” by growing “Conscious Pickleball,” a business I started to promote pickleball. Soon, I hope to restart my golf game, get back on the water with my one-man canoe, work on fitness, make more lei hulu (feather lei), and learn to play my guitar and ukulele.

Jana and Gary, live, at the courts

Jana, meeting up with HPM Editor Jen Wilson, on a rare occasion off the pickleball court