Supporting Ethical Access Only
About Kānaka Climbers
Culturally & Historically Significant Information for Hawai'i Hikers & Climbers
We are a Native Hawaiian led non-profit organization that aims to encourage a more responsible and ethical outdoor recreational community in Hawaiʻi. We focus on providing vital, culture based education surrounding hiking and climbing. We work with Cultural Practitioners, Allies who are experienced in Archaeology, Botany, History, and Locals. We hope to provide knowledge and guidance that will help people form a connection with the ʻāina (land) and in turn become better stewards. We actively engage in conversations with Kānaka (Native Hawaiian), Native Hawaiian Organizations and Locals within different recreational areas to assist in voicing and supporting area specific concerns, which often involve the protection and preservation of sacred spaces.
About Kānaka Climbers
Culturally & Historically Significant Information for Hawai'i Hikers & Climbers
We are a Native Hawaiian led non-profit organization that aims to encourage a more responsible and ethical outdoor recreational community in Hawaiʻi. We focus on providing vital, culture based education surrounding hiking and climbing. We work with Cultural Practitioners, Allies who are experienced in Archaeology, Botany, History, and Locals. We hope to provide knowledge and guidance that will help people form a connection with the ʻāina (land) and in turn become better stewards. We actively engage in conversations with Kānaka (Native Hawaiian), Native Hawaiian Organizations and Locals within different recreational areas to assist in voicing and supporting area specific concerns, which often involve the protection and preservation of sacred spaces.
Coming soon.... Mahalo for being so patient. We donʻt feel comfortable rushing something this important.
10.4 Million
Visitors a year
1000ʻs
Sacred Sites
434
Threatened and Endangered Species
1 Goal
To advise and educate on culturally appropriate and respectful ethics in the Hawaiian areas.
Hawai'i Business Magazine Article
Sport of Climbing Continues to Rise in Hawai‘i
Climbing has gained popularity in Hawai‘i and around the world in recent years, culminating in the sport’s debut at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Check out what Skye from Kānaka Climbers and Mike Richardson from Hawaiʻi Climbing Coalition have to say about the rise of climbing in Hawaii. Did you know KC helped names the walls at HiClimb?
Head over to our Media Page for :
Radio Interviews, Panel Discussions & Articles
with us!
Our Resources
Hawaiian Culture & Historical Resources
Hawaiʻi Hiking & Climbing Resources
Clean Upʻs &
Site Protection
The Hawaiian Kingdom
The Hawaiian Kingdom originated in 1795, when Kamehameha the Great united the Islands under one government. Between 1843 and 1885, The Hawaiian Kingdom’s national independence was recognized by 16 world nations. International treaty relationships were signed with countries such as Austria-Hungary, Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Russia, Spain, Sweden and Norway, the Swiss Confederation, and the United States of America.
The overthrow of The Hawaiian Kingdom began in 1893 with a coup against our Queen Liliʻuokalani by missionary descendants and foreign plantation owners. Hawaiʻi has since been illegally occupied. Even The United Nations acknowledges the occupation of the Hawaiian Kingdom.
The first step in treating a space with respect is to acknowledge the indigenous people of the land. Take time to understand how the indigenous community is treated within that space at a government level, learn about how the environment is looked at through indigenous eyes.
"As hikers, climbers, and outdoors enthusiasts, we love that access to America's Public Lands allows us to pursue these activities, but for non-Native people, it is too easy to forget that these public lands were created through the violent dispossession of millions of indigenous people - the system is designed to make us forget. As long as we continue to accept indigenous erasure as the status quo, we continue to be complicit in the ongoing colonial project in the United States."
-INDIGENOUS GEOTAGS
Geotagging & Access
Geotagging isn’t something that Hawaiians (kānaka) or locals encourage. Our landscapes are full of ENDEMIC and ENDANGERED flora and fauna, and culturally sensitive areas. Our islands and various hiking locations are under an immense physical pressure from overuse.
Again, please do not share geo-tags, GPS coordinates, or locations of climbing or hiking in areas that are culturally or environmentally sensitive (or illegal) as this can attract unwanted attention to these unmanaged sites. If you haven't taken the time to learn about the area, we don't recommend going.
Access concerns: Every climbing location in Hawai’i is access sensitive. Please do not post directions or geotag photos. This website does not give you permission to access any lands, either public or private. Recreate responsibly and enter at your own risk, and remember YOU represent the entire outdoor community. If a member of the general public or state agency asks you to leave, it is best to go.
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Educate Our Communities!
Contribute
Kānaka & multigenerational locals;
Do you have any manaʻo or ʻike to add? Do you want to be guest writer? Have any resources to add?