Group Wins Funds To Spread Tennis Benefits

Jarrett Middle School students participate in the Hawaiian Isle Tennis (HIT) project, which doubles as free after-school leadership and character development. A HECO grant will help HIT continue to work with underserved youths in Palolo and Kaimuki. Photo from Hawaiian Isle Tennis.

The grassroots group Hawaiian Isle Tennis, which conducts free tennis lessons for Jarrett Middle School students, has won a $15,000 grant from Hawaiian Electric Co.

Founded in 2008, HIT uses its Play Tennis program to “educate about 100 students annually on leadership and character development through the medium of play — the language children speak,” explained founder Leilani Magee. Toward that end, it brings weekly one-hour tennis lessons to Jarrett students Monday and Wednesday afternoons during the school year, and for the public (5 p.m. Wednesdays).

Magee, a Maui transplant and current Palolo Valley resident, estimated that the volunteer-driven program has reached more than 1,000 students both on Oahu and Maui. A project of Tri-Isle Research Conservation & Development Council, HIT also runs

Tennis Sister, which helps female tennis players of all ages and backgrounds to network.

For more information on Hawaiian Isle Tennis, call 354-6373 or visit hitennis.wordpress.com.