How a Pandemic Stroll Led Toshiko Jager to the Joy of Pickleball

What started as a little pandemic curiosity turned into open play, lasting friendships, and a whole lot of love for the game—plus a chance to give back along the way.

Kakaako—Toshiko Jager didn’t set out looking for a new sport—just some fresh air and a little curiosity during the quiet days of the pandemic. But after moving to Kakaako and noticing the buzz around the Mother Waldron courts, she and her husband Dave decided to check it out. One visit turned into many, and by fall 2022, pickleball had found a permanent place in their lives.

Since then, Toshiko’s journey has been filled with aloha—from being welcomed by the Mother Waldron ohana to forming deep friendships through her Tuesday Slammers crew. She now plays nearly every day, volunteers at Palama Settlement where she once took classes herself, and is officially our newest HPM ambassador! We’re so excited to welcome her to the team as she continues to share the joy of pickleball—on and off the court.

Without further ado, please meet Toshiko Jager!

Currently residing in: Kakaako

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

Born and raised in Tokyo, Japan, and completed school years there.

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

For a few years after moving from San Diego in 2020, my husband Dave and I were busy exploring empty hiking trails, beaches, ghost town Waikiki and other spots during Covid.  Our nearby Mother Waldron courts were always crowded and we were finally curious enough to figure out what was going on there- that’s when we discovered pickleball, in the fall of 2022. 

Big Mahalo to Girlie Kauahikaua for inviting us into the open play, and to the entire Mother Waldron “ohana” who took us in with their arms wide open even though we were totally newbies- truly heartwarming acts of aloha!

What do you love most about pickleball?

A group of students who spent four months together in the Palama Settlement classes last year just couldn’t say goodbye at the end… and we’re still together with our friendship growing closer – our Tuesday Slammers with amazing people who are all dear to me!  Over the course of my pickleball journey, I’ve met so many wonderful people whom we get to share the fun of pickleball and much more!

What I love most is the social aspect of pickleball – the camaraderie and a chance to connect with even random people from all walks of life on the court can create lasting friendships on and off the courts whether in Oahu or Maui or even in Japan.

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

 We originally fell in love with Hawaii when we visited Maui for the first time in 2015 and there was no hesitation in getting our second home in the cozy town of Kihei right after our first trip.  Since then, hundreds of guests from all over the world came to visit our place for their memorable Maui vacations.  We’re fortunate to be able to visit there three times a year not only to keep up the property but also to enjoy the abundance of marine life and natural beauty of Maui...and of course pickleball.

I enjoy family time, hiking, swimming, cooking, traveling back to Japan to see family & friends, and also snorkeling mainly in Maui, & plan to be scuba certified this summer.  But I have to admit that pickleball dominates my calendar nowadays while I’m at home in Oahu!

Above: Toshiko in Japan

What paddle are you playing with and what do you like about it?

Hawaiian made paddle produced by Kyle Paredes.  It simply feels right to me!

How often do you play?

5-6 days between lessons, drills and open plays

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

 Our Tuesday Slammers’ coach is determined to help all of us reach 4.0 level in pickleball.  There is so much to learn and improve – endless!! – but I'm thankful that we have such a dedicated coach and a tight-knit group to encourage and motivate one another, and actually have fun and enjoy the learning process towards our set goals together.

 Also to stay healthy and injury-free, and enjoy our golden years to the fullest after working and devoting so many hours every day in the management of a clinical Laboratory for my last ten years in San Diego before retiring to Hawaii. 

Anything else on your mind?

 The most enduring legacy is not what we achieve, but the aloha we share and the lives we impact along the way – by KU Project

 Recently I discovered the joy of volunteering at the Palama Settlement where I once had an opportunity to take classes myself and learned so much from everyone who devoted their time and effort to provide us with the best lessons & drills that we could ever ask for.  It is absolutely an honor for me to be a part of such an amazing group of current instructors and coaches at the organization with a rich history of Hawaii dating back to 1896.