Who We Are

Since 1999, Climb Aloha has been Hawaii’s premiere source for technical climbing equipment and instruction. At our store, you can expect expert sales and service for Black Diamond, Metolius, Mad Rock, Petzl, Advanced Base Camp, Mammut, Five-Ten, Kong and many other manufacturers of fine mountaineering and rock climbing equipment.

Why support Climb Aloha? We are the only organization that spends profits on route maintenance and new route development right here in Hawaii! In 2006-2007, we replaced bolts and anchors on 29 routes at the Mokuleia Main Wall. In 2007, Climb Aloha funded & organized the replacement of all remaining old bolts at Makapuu and trail work maintenance along the Mokuleia trail. In 2008, we purchased and fabricated over $5,000 worth of new titanium bolts for additional route maintenance and development on Oahu and Maui. Several projects are currently ongoing including the near future replacement of Waimea Bay’s top anchors. All of this work is possible due to your continued patronage and support.

Please email or call if you are interested in getting involved with the care of Hawaii’s climbing areas, we can certainly use the help!

What’s In A Name? (or, Why Climb Aloha?)

Sometimes living in Hawaii can be tough. This is especially true when on a climbing road trip to the mainland. Show up at Smith Rocks for example and make the mistake of telling the first person that asks where you’re from and the next thing you know, you’re hit with a deluge of questions, “No way! Is there climbing out there? How is the climbing out there? Do you surf? How’s the surf? Is it really true that ‘Aloha’ means both hello and goodbye?” are some common examples. As for the first four questions, you’ll just have to come out here and see for yourself. Regarding ‘Aloha’ the answer is yes to both, since ‘Aloha’ can be used for hello and goodbye. However, ‘Aloha’ has multiple meanings as do many Hawaiian words. After one has spent some quality time in the Islands, one will quickly learn that by far, the most important basic concept of Hawaiian culture and ‘Aloha’ is best translated as ‘sharing’. Lucky for everyone, this sharing outlook or a willingness to share with others aspect of ‘Aloha’ and Hawaiian culture has persisted and is even pervasive in everyday life on the islands now. ‘Climb Aloha’ was begun and named with the desire to embody and covey this philosophy of sharing.

Climb Aloha

We began business in the summer of 1999, when Mike “Bugman” Richardson realized there was a need for a complete climbing shop staffed by knowledgeable experts. Right from the beginning, Climb Aloha was also visualized as a means to fund both the maintenance of existing routes and development of new routes in the State of Hawai’i into the future. Ever since our first sale, we have been giving back to the community which has given so much to us. Climb Aloha has funded the replacement of old, rusted out anchor chains, the retro-bolting of old routes in need of stainless steel protection, and the installation of numerous, new routes. In 2006 alone, we replaced old bolts on 29 routes at the Mokuleia Main Wall.  Climb Aloha is a proud member of the Access Fund, and we encourage you to join today if you’re not a member! We have brochures available at our store. In order to better serve you, Climb Aloha is expecting to expand it’s operation in the not so distant future. We hope to offer a larger and more diverse inventory of climbing equipment and clothing to meet your needs. Stay tuned for details!

Climb Aloha’s Commitment to Conservation in Hawai’i

Climb Aloha is committed to the practice of conservation and environmental education in the Hawaiian Islands. Since its inception, Climb Aloha has donated hundreds of dollars worth of climbing and outdoor gear to various conservation organizations in the State of Hawai’i including the Maui Invasive Species Committee. We offer discounts to any agency or organization involved in conservation work in the Islands – contact us for details!