HONOLULU (KHON2) — Downtown Honolulu will soon have a new hub for entertainment and food all centered around pickleball.
“We’ll be opening six pickleball courts, and then phase two will be expanding that to 13 to 15 pickleball courts plus shops, restaurants and other sort of entertainment facilities,” stated Avalon Development Executive Vice President of Legal & Development, Robby Kelley.
Developers are rebuilding what used to be the Downtown Walmart that closed in 2023.
“Looking at having some of those nice golf simulators, a comedy club. Give people a reason to come to Downtown,” said Kelley.
Pickleballers will get the choice to pay for a monthly membership or an hourly fee to use the courts.
“There’s always a fight for courts between pickleball players and tennis court players,” said Keith Amemiya, Governor’s Sports Task Force Chair. “Any opportunities for more pickleball courts is great because that’s one of the issues here. It’s so popular that there’s not enough courts.”
The building, renamed as Forte, is a tribute to Downtown’s Fort Street Mall where the project is being developed.
“I know it’ll be hugely popular. It’s convenient. It’s a place to go after work, to play pickleball, and also enjoy some food and drink afterwards there as well,” stated Amemiya.
The first six courts will be open to the public on January 20, 2025. The rest of the project, which includes shops and restaurants is expected to open sometime in 2026.