Aloha Rock Gym is such a welcome addition to Maui, and our first visit during their grand opening event was so much fun. From the moment we got there, the energy was upbeat and inviting. One of the owners personally greeted us--a kind and friendly gentleman who took the time to introduce the space and give us a helpful rundown of how everything works. It set the tone for what turned out to be a really fun, memorable experience and honestly every staff member we encountered was warm, helpful, and friendly too.
A quick tip: *everyone* needs to sign a waiver before entering the gym (even if you're just a bystander), so I'd recommend completing it online ahead of time to save yourself a bit of time when you arrive. Even during the busy grand opening, the gym felt surprisingly spacious. The building is large, open, and thoughtfully designed to accommodate a lot of people without feeling claustrophobic.
There are climbing "problems" (routes) for all skill levels and a good variety for a wide range of ages. We had such a great time moving between the different walls and testing new problems. Staff and volunteers were readily available to belay, which allowed us to try the rock climbing routes safely.
We used to rock climb at the surf shop in Kahului many, MANY years ago and I'm so glad there's a place to climb again. My son had a blast too. Watching him try something new and gain confidence with each attempt was so fun!
We returned a few weeks later and ended up spending hours just bouldering. If you want to belay independently, you'll need to get certified. They offer short classes throughout the day for a small fee, or you can test out if you're already familiar with proper technique and safety protocols. That's definitely on my list for next time.
Unfortunately they did away with their fist time kamaaina deal, so it's quite a bit pricey ($39 for a kamaaina day pass)--especially for larger families--and can be cost-prohibitive. However, you can spend hours climbing, even a full day, so it feels "worth it" as I easily spend that amount of money at the arcade in less than an hour. I do hope to see more kamaaina/family friendly deals in the future like they did for Valentine's Day. If you're looking to maximize value without committing to a full membership, the 1 week unlimited pass ($60) is the way to go as you can use it multiple times.
All in all, I highly recommend Aloha Rock Gym. It's such a fun, active option to have here on Maui. We'll definitely be back again and again. read more