Kristi Davis Joined a Waitlist for Pickleball and Never Looked Back

Pickleball Spotlight: Kristi Davis

Hilo's Kristi Davis on giggles, longevity, and a retirement dream she's already designing.

She put her name on a waitlist. A year and a half later, she's still showing up, and still giggling.

When Kristi Davis discovered pickleball through the Kaumana Senior Center in Hilo, she didn't expect much. She just wanted in. The classes were so popular she had to wait her turn, and when she finally got on the court, something clicked that first day and never really let go.

Kristi came to pickleball the way a lot of people do: through a door she almost didn't open. What she found on the other side has worked its way into the fabric of her week, her friendships, and even her plans for retirement.

Meet Hilo’s Kristi Davis!

Currently residing in: Hilo.

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

I grew up in a small farming town in the California Central Valley named Ripon. I went to Ripon High School with only 450 other students in the whole school. I'm still friends with a lot of these folks. Some I  went to school with since kindergarten.

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

I discovered pickleball through the Kaumana Senior Center in September of 2024. Hilo has this great resource where you can take classes if you are 55 or older for $20 for 10-week sessions. They offer several different classes such as yoga, language, art, dancing, and court sports. I had to go on a waitlist because pickleball is so popular. Once I made it in, they instructed me for 2 10-week sessions, and then I would qualify for open play.  The instructors are so great. I've been playing open play for over a year and a half now, but they still will give us pointers here and there.  They also really taught us to play with aloha and respect. I like that.

What do you love most about pickleball?

I think what I love most about pickleball, and this started day one, is the giggles. It brings so much joy to my life playing with like-minded players and friends. 

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

 I'm really working on consistency and reading other players’ moves. Also, supporting my teammate by covering the holes. 

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

Besides pickleball, I still work. I've been a hairstylist/colorist for 38 years now. I'm so grateful, I really love what I do.  I also take yoga and art/drawing classes through Kaumana. And I've been exercising with the  CrossFit Huaka'i gym for the past decade. I think it's important to add some weight lifting and other exercises as we age. It strengthens the bones and allows me to play pickleball more safely. 

Anything else on your mind?

 My retirement dream is to open a pickleball club with covered open-air courts.  I’d like it to be very inviting and welcoming to all levels of play.