Aloha Rock Gym on Maui

Scott Odell is one of the owners of Aloha Rock Gym, along with his wife, Kevalin Hutachinda.

“Many landlords said, ‘No,’” Hutachinda said. “We had no credit history. They didn't want climbing walls bolted into the ground. They didn't really see the vision really, so our landlord took that bet on us, because he too had felt how empowering climbing was for his life and his youth as well.”

As they waited for the gym to take shape over the past several years, they partnered with other local organizations to do mālama ʻāina cleanups.

They raised money among the global climbing community for Maui fire survivors. Odell and Hutachinda hosted a displaced Lahaina family in their home for two years, even building a climbing wall in their backyard for the kids.

Now, Aloha Rock Gym is just waiting on its final certificate of occupancy from Maui County. After all, it’s also the first time the county has issued a climbing gym permit. Hutachinda says it was easy to feel lost during the lengthy construction and permitting process.

“Sometimes you kind of lose sight a bit, but then when you see kids climbing… that brings us back," she says. "This is why. It gives light to the end of the tunnel for us.”

The team hopes to hold a grand opening later this month.

📹️: Catherine Cluett Pactol / HPR

Видео Aloha Rock Gym on Maui канала Hawaii Public Radio