Climb Aloha - Team Climb Aloha

Inspired by the altruism of Hawaii’s early pioneering climbers including Terry Kerby and his friends who worked hard to establish and maintain the first climbing areas on Oahu, Climb Aloha has, since its inception in 1999, sponsored a group of dedicated resident climbers involved in furthering a mission of rock-climbing-Aloha in the islands. Comprised of the islands’ best, most experienced, and motivated climber-athletes; Team Climb Aloha is continually working to ensure our climbing scene is both enjoyable and safe. Since 1999, Team Climb Aloha has quadrupled the number of established routes on the island of Oahu, re-bolted all original routes with responsible seaside materials (titanium), and has added three additional established climbing areas. Beyond route maintenance and development, we’ve been instrumental in organizing trail work at our climbing areas (although only on rainy days), and all of us work tirelessly and cheerfully to educate new climbers on safety - after all, we’re in this together!

Much could be written about safe route development and maintenance in Hawaii relating to stress corrosion and issues specific to climbing on sea cliffs and in tropical areas. Through our own research and by working with others in the world climbing community we have developed a unique protocol and massive electronic database (this is also the foundation for a forthcoming guidebook) for documenting, prioritizing, and implementing maintenance and development on the islands. This tremendous effort which has been ongoing since 2004 was undertaken not only to make sure our cliffs and routes are among the safest in the world, but also to help demonstrate to our State landowner agency our dedication to the sport and our desire for continued access.

Here’s who we are…

- Sayar "Slayer" Kuchenski

Slice of Death 5.12C

Website administrator: rockclimbinghawaii.com, climbaloha.com, rockclimbing.com/hawaii Commercial rigger Route and trail development and maintenance Bolt safety technical analysis		Sayar Kuchenski was born in New York in 1986. He moved to North Dakota at the age of 10. At the age of 13 he started rock climbing at a summer camp. After three seasons of climbing at the camp he became increasingly more interested in the sport and became a camp leader. At the age of 16 he lead his first sport route and started climbing regularity. Three years later at the age of 19 he became extremely active in the climbing community and started bolting routes in North Dakota. Today at the age of 21 he climbs four times per week and is extremely active in the climbing community. Sayar joined Team Climb Aloha in early 2008 and brings with him eight years of climbing experience, a dedication to improving Hawaii's climbing atmosphere, and the motivation to get things done. Contact: usnavy@rockclimbing.com
All Pigs are Created Equal 5.11C

- Mike "Bugman" Richardson

Waimea Bay Bouldering

General manager, Climb Aloha
Website owner
Climb Aloha guide
Route and trail development and maintenance
Commercial rigger

Originally from New Mexico, Bugman came to Oahu in 1995 for grad school and simply never left. Also an entomologist with the US Fish & Wildlife Service, he enjoys mountain biking and surfing when not climbing or working on route maintenance and development.

Contact: bugman@climbaloha.com

- Randy Castor

Commercial rigger
Route maintenance and development
Climb Aloha guide

Randy joined our team as a climbing guide in 2008. Originally from the Philippines, he is also a professional architect. When not climbing or working on route development, Randy is busy planning the design of our climbing gym - slated for a spring/summer 2009 opening.

Contact: randallcastor@yahoo.com

- Dan MacNeill

Climb Aloha guide
Route and trail development and maintenance
Commercial rigger

Dan joined our team as a climbing guide and rigger with our commercial services program in 2006. Originally from South Dakota, Dan is also a professional bassoonist. When he is not climbing or infamously hoarding gear, Dan makes the best pizza to be found on Oahu.

Contact: danmacneill@gmail.com

- Robot Anderson

Climb Aloha guide
Route and trail development and maintenance
Commercial rigger

Robot joined our team as a climbing guide and rigger with our commercial services program in 2004 after working as a guide in Switzerland. Robot was raised (or has raised hell) in both Louisiana and Hawaii. Also a full time student at the University of Hawaii at Manoa where he is double majoring in German and political science, he is the president and founder of the UH wine club.

Contact: kichkinet567@hotmail.com

- Faisca

Route and trail development and maintenance

Hiking up The Jungle crag approach

Man Your Station 5.11C

Faisca joined our team as a climbing guide in 2008. Originally from North Carolina, he is also involved in program development with the State of Hawaii’s recycling initiative. When he is not busy climbing or working on route maintenance, Faisca enjoys teaching Capoeira martial arts.

Contact: stardustsparklin@gmail.com