2017 USTA Hawaii Pacific Yearbook September | Page 5

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE | Ron Romano - Executive Director
The USTA Hawaii Pacific Section (USTA HPS) had another exciting year of activities and events!
The year kicked off with the Tennis Championships of Maui (formerly called the Royal Lahaina
Challenger) at the Royal Lahaina Resort on the island of Maui. This was a men’s $50,000 Pro
Circuit event run by the USTA Hawaii Pacific Section the second week of the Australian Open in
January.
The Tennis Championships of Maui was followed by the first Fed Cup to come to Hawaii with the
United States playing Poland at the Holua Tennis Center in Kona. Tickets sold out in a matter of
days and the stadium was packed. The United States team was headed up by Venus Williams,
who led the U.S. team to a 4-0 victory over Poland. This win moved the U.S. Fed Cup team back
into the World Group comprised of the top 8 Fed Cup teams.
The Play to Learn Program is Hawaii Pacific’s premier program, designed to introduce tennis to youth and adults. Play to
Learn is a group tennis instructional program offered at 25 to 30 public park sites throughout the year with participation of
approximately 8,000 annually. After 15 years, the Play to Learn Program started expansion to the neighbor islands with new
programs in Kauai, Maui and Hilo.
After looking for several years and timing the purchase with the end of our lease at the Honolulu Club, we purchased an
office at the Waikiki Landmark at the entrance of Waikiki. It is centrally located, easy to get in and out of, and there is plenty
of parking. The purpose of the purchase was to have a permanent home and to invest the Section’s money in a long-term
investment. We have a 10-year mortgage and when the loan is paid off, we will reinvest the money toward our mission.
The USTA Hawaii Pacific Section hosted two junior National Selection tournaments in May and October of 2016. Some of
the top ranked juniors in the United States participated and they gave Hawaii juniors an opportunity to play some of the top
ranked U.S. juniors without having to travel to a mainland tournament.
One of the highlights in the youth tennis area was the development of the new Red Ball League with 30 teams playing in
the first season. For the Section as a whole, a true highlight was being awarded the bid for the February 2016 Fed Cup in
Kona. Historically, there has only been 1 Davis Cup match held in Hawaii in 1992 against Argentina with Pete Sampras, Andre
Agassi and John McEnroe playing for the USA. It was quite an honor for the USTA Hawaii Pacific Section and the state of
Hawaii to host a Fed Cup event. In October of 2016, the USTA Hawaii Pacific Section was awarded the bid to host a Fed Cup
match between the United States and Germany at the Royal Lahaina Resort on Maui. This is the first time that a Fed Cup or
Davis Cup has returned to the same state two years in a row.
The USTA Hawaii Pacific Section is passionate in its commitment to promote and develop the growth of tennis!
STAFF
JONY CONCHING MADELEINE DREITH CHRISTINE NIP SARA YOSHINAGA
Office Manager Director of Community Tennis
& Tennis Service Representative Director of Marketing
& Communications Director of Adult Tennis
MIMI KENNELL ROMAN KOP KRISTINA ADAMS
Director of Junior Tennis Director of Schools Tennis Community Tennis Coordinator
HAWAII PACIFIC YEARBOOK 2017
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