Conveniently situated near/on the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s campus, the UH boulders are a short ~10 minute hike off of Dole Street, at the base of Waahila Ridge… I recently had the opportunity to visit two bouldering walls (East and West) here, that have been well-known for sometime. There are several traverse and top-out problems on either. The “West Wall” is slight graded in the mauka direction, and landings can be precarious. However, there are several somewhat weather-resistant mattresses that are there for use in addition to your own crash pad(s). The landing for the “East Wall” are pretty flat, though you should bring your own crash-pads (no mattresses on this side).

For students, as well as people who work on campus (like myself), the UH boulders are a great place to get some climbing in after class or work, respectively. Here, Ben hikes a crash pad up to the East Traverse Boulders “pau hana” (after work).

There are several problems on the East Wall to warm up on… Rosie easily tops out on one of them, while Juri down-climbs on the far right.

Duc and Reanne do 1/2 of the “East Wall” traverse for a warm up (from mauka to makai, or right to left if facing the wall). I’m sure the reverse route is as equally challenging, if not harder.

The full length version, which continues another ~50-60ft is pretty pumpy… Here, Rosie is just past the ~1/2 point in both pictures. I’ve only done it in two sections, but I’m only a beginner so you may be able to flash it with some experience. I’ve heard Kyle (pictured in first photo) does the full traverse left, then right, for his warm-up. Crazy.

Jennie attempts a slightly more difficult, top-out problem, from a sit start. I’m sure she’s sent it by now… these pics were taken a few weeks ago.

Faisca works on a different beta for the same problem as Jennie, but with less moves.

Kyle suggests a different problem for Faisca. It begins as a sit start from under the overhang and tops out… he sends it after several attempts.

Ben tries a variation of the same problem, and also sends in <10 minutes. Good job dude!
On the West Wall, there are several traverses of varying difficulty … here Chase attempts one of the shorter traverse problems.

Duc completes one of the classic West Wall traverses (Super Traverse?), which he had been working on for several weeks. So sick, congrats man!!

We climb well after sundown with headlamps, which most climbers do here. And after a few beers and “talking story,” we head home.

There several other boulders near the University of Hawaii at Manoa (i.e. downstream of Dole St.), though they haven’t been well documented… at least from what I could find. I don’t even know the actual names and ratings for the problems here, so if anybody knows them, please feel free to contact me. The people who I’ve asked weren’t really sure besides the classic traverses on both walls. There also may be some “shady” people residing in the more “cave-like” boulders, so it’s best that you don’t climb alone. I’ve never had any problems, and I’m guessing if you don’t bother them, they won’t bother you.

Questions??? Just ask!!!

To view more posts on climbing CLICK HERE, or look at the “Climbing Photo Gallery”. To view this location on a Google Map also known as my “Adventure Map“, Click Here. For more adventures of the Lost Trailblazers, either look at my other blogposts and “Adventures with the Lost Trailblazers” photo gallery. Thanks for visiting and come back again soon!