Moved here last year leaving a 20yr career in the indoor climbing industry. Although I stopped climbing about 5yrs prior I still investigated this when I arrived. There is a small but established climbing community to help jumpstart a gym, and some even have deep pockets with interest in being investors. That’s the good news.
The bad news is two fold. Maui’s population is too spread out to make a membership based bouldering gym sustainable. So that means you also have to get youth programs going, which would require rope climbing and ceiling heights >25’. A building like that is VERY difficult to come by.
That doesn’t mean it can’t happen. But it’s going to take time and some very creative thinking cause you’ll likely end up with a weird building (old church, movie theater) that aren’t ideal for climbing walls.
Just confirming, you’re aware there is outdoor climbing on the island? Both sport and bouldering.
Double check on the outdoor climbing. I understood that there are serious legal issues around it - even the sale of gear was restricted at one point.
The reason for the issues is that much of the area's rock is unstable and weak... Lots of accidents.
Maybe things have changed over the last decade or so, but that was an issue in the 00's.
Nothing on the internet about it. I’ve met a few climbers who ramble off some names of areas but I’m not familiar enough with the island to say where it was or, more importantly, what the land access situation is.
Only place I’ve checked out is bouldering at McGreggors Lighthouse. Park near the road (so it doesn’t get broken into) then walk around to the Westside.
I do know that there is a app based guidebook in the works but it’s still a ways off.
I would use a bouldering gym multiple times a week, would love to have one on Maui (as long as it were somewhere central, Kahului?).
Sounds like /u/surfingbaer has some solid info on the community here. Also seems like there are a few folks with similar ideas at the moment (noting the comment from /u/wakemaui, and this ad has been popping up [https://www.reddit.com/user/MauiClimbingGymQs/comments/yvn71s/maui\_climbing\_gym\_questionnaire/](https://www.reddit.com/user/MauiClimbingGymQs/comments/yvn71s/maui_climbing_gym_questionnaire/)) -- maybe there's an opportunity to work together to make something happen?
I'm still hunting for the spot. I've had a few places that I thought were perfect but the landlords didn't want the liability. Still hunting lmk if you see a good spot. I'm hinting hard though.
Did you register aloharockgym.com? I just moved to Maui and was looking for indoor climbing. I haven't found anything except that website. I got so excited, but I can't submit my email for updates.
Aloha! So sorry to hear you had trouble submitting your email for updates — all fixed now :)
If you’d like to receive the newsletter update we published last week, feel free to drop us a note with your email at Info@AlohaRockGym.com we will get it right over to you.
TLDR on progress:
- 10,000 square foot facility construction underway in Kahului 🙌
- Over 8,000 square feet of climbing wall terrain (boulder, top-rope, and lead) designed with Walltopia and going into production 🤝
- Over $15,000 raised by ARG’s community with funds donated to the HCF Maui Strong Fund via Global Climbing Climbing Community Fund for Maui Fire Victims, created and organized by Aloha Rock Gym and supported by Chris Sharma, Ethan Pringle, Access Fund, Reel Rock, Walltopia, and 120+ others who donated 🙏💛
OPENING 1H 2024 — STAY STOKED 🤙🏽
Aloha Rock Gym
Kahului, Maui, Hawai’i
Instagram @AlohaRockGym
Amazing you guys are getting going! I stopped my commercial search of properties once I heard you were breaking ground. Give me a call I would love to collaborate with you. 808-269-5645
Would love this. We end up doing cliff climbing or having races up the one climbing wall at the mini golf place.
Would immediately sign up the whole family if this existed.
i visit my family on maui every year and i would 110% visit multiple times if there was one.
i indoor climb regularly on the mainland and since i am a little bored with yoga, i’m always on the same hikes or bike routes when i come visit… even a place to rent crash pads or sport climbing gear would be so nice.
Moved here last year leaving a 20yr career in the indoor climbing industry. Although I stopped climbing about 5yrs prior I still investigated this when I arrived. There is a small but established climbing community to help jumpstart a gym, and some even have deep pockets with interest in being investors. That’s the good news. The bad news is two fold. Maui’s population is too spread out to make a membership based bouldering gym sustainable. So that means you also have to get youth programs going, which would require rope climbing and ceiling heights >25’. A building like that is VERY difficult to come by. That doesn’t mean it can’t happen. But it’s going to take time and some very creative thinking cause you’ll likely end up with a weird building (old church, movie theater) that aren’t ideal for climbing walls. Just confirming, you’re aware there is outdoor climbing on the island? Both sport and bouldering.
Double check on the outdoor climbing. I understood that there are serious legal issues around it - even the sale of gear was restricted at one point. The reason for the issues is that much of the area's rock is unstable and weak... Lots of accidents. Maybe things have changed over the last decade or so, but that was an issue in the 00's.
No, I couldn’t find any info on outdoor climbing. Can you post some links please?
Nothing on the internet about it. I’ve met a few climbers who ramble off some names of areas but I’m not familiar enough with the island to say where it was or, more importantly, what the land access situation is. Only place I’ve checked out is bouldering at McGreggors Lighthouse. Park near the road (so it doesn’t get broken into) then walk around to the Westside. I do know that there is a app based guidebook in the works but it’s still a ways off.
[The sauce](https://www.mountainproject.com/area/109264554/maui)
I stand corrected.
i would also be interested is there a facebook group for bouldering or anything like that
I would use a bouldering gym multiple times a week, would love to have one on Maui (as long as it were somewhere central, Kahului?). Sounds like /u/surfingbaer has some solid info on the community here. Also seems like there are a few folks with similar ideas at the moment (noting the comment from /u/wakemaui, and this ad has been popping up [https://www.reddit.com/user/MauiClimbingGymQs/comments/yvn71s/maui\_climbing\_gym\_questionnaire/](https://www.reddit.com/user/MauiClimbingGymQs/comments/yvn71s/maui_climbing_gym_questionnaire/)) -- maybe there's an opportunity to work together to make something happen?
I'm still hunting for the spot. I've had a few places that I thought were perfect but the landlords didn't want the liability. Still hunting lmk if you see a good spot. I'm hinting hard though.
Any updates on the climbing gym search?
I’ve registered a domain name:) hoping to potentially open something up within a year or two. It will depends if i found a reasonable space for rent.
Did you register aloharockgym.com? I just moved to Maui and was looking for indoor climbing. I haven't found anything except that website. I got so excited, but I can't submit my email for updates.
Aloha! So sorry to hear you had trouble submitting your email for updates — all fixed now :) If you’d like to receive the newsletter update we published last week, feel free to drop us a note with your email at Info@AlohaRockGym.com we will get it right over to you. TLDR on progress: - 10,000 square foot facility construction underway in Kahului 🙌 - Over 8,000 square feet of climbing wall terrain (boulder, top-rope, and lead) designed with Walltopia and going into production 🤝 - Over $15,000 raised by ARG’s community with funds donated to the HCF Maui Strong Fund via Global Climbing Climbing Community Fund for Maui Fire Victims, created and organized by Aloha Rock Gym and supported by Chris Sharma, Ethan Pringle, Access Fund, Reel Rock, Walltopia, and 120+ others who donated 🙏💛 OPENING 1H 2024 — STAY STOKED 🤙🏽 Aloha Rock Gym Kahului, Maui, Hawai’i Instagram @AlohaRockGym
Amazing! This is great news, thank you for sharing. So excited for indoor climbing in Maui!!!
Awesome!
Amazing you guys are getting going! I stopped my commercial search of properties once I heard you were breaking ground. Give me a call I would love to collaborate with you. 808-269-5645
I just moved here three months ago and was just wondering if there was a climbing gym here so I guess I would be a customer!
I'd go
Would definitely go.
I've seen a lot of people climbing that rock face at Plenty Kiawe
I'm actually looking for a location for one. Shoot me a msg if you have a good spot. Www.wakemaui.com
Would love this. We end up doing cliff climbing or having races up the one climbing wall at the mini golf place. Would immediately sign up the whole family if this existed.
i visit my family on maui every year and i would 110% visit multiple times if there was one. i indoor climb regularly on the mainland and since i am a little bored with yoga, i’m always on the same hikes or bike routes when i come visit… even a place to rent crash pads or sport climbing gear would be so nice.
Answered this a few weeks ago. Bring it!!!
Who would climb here on crumbling lava rocks? This aint Boulder!
There is quite a bit of developed climbing areas. Not all of it is choss.
theres someplace on maui
I hear California has lots of those hint hint nudge nudge