Whenever Japanese student Sei Kuwahara makes it to the top while rock climbing, he said he gets a feeling of achievement and satisfaction. Climbing, he said, not only helps him release stress but also helps him to focus on his schooling.
Kuwahara, a senior majoring in supply chain and marketing, does outdoor and indoor rock climbing on a regular basis. He said his love for the natural world started when he was young because he was raised in a place surrounded by nature.
There are a lot of mountains, rivers and a big lake, called Inawashiro, where Kuwahara is from, he said. He described the flowers in Japan, particularly the Suiren flower; and the trees, such as the pine and cherry blossom.
“I grew up in the countryside of Japan, called Fukushima, and it’s surrounded by a lot of nature. My father loves fishing, so I always went to rivers [and] mountains with him,” Kuwahara shared.
He enjoys climbing anything from trees to mountains because he gets a feeling of achievement and satisfaction when he reaches the top, he said.
A person must be physically fit to rock climb, he explained. “You’re technically holding your body weight with your arms and feet. So, if one of [your arms or feet are] lacking, you can’t go farther.”
Kuwahara said people should be aware of their own body’s limitations so they can improve and overcome them. A person who keeps climbing will improve little by little each time they do it, he added.
While he enjoys both outdoor and indoor rock climbing, Kuwahara said he prefers outdoor climbing. “Indoor [rock climbing] costs money [and] as a student, … I try to save as much cash as possible.”
Kuwahara said he rock climbs at least once a week, depending on his schoolwork and other responsibilities. “I do not try to be ahead of school [work]. I just try to be on time.” He tries to finish his homework before Saturday because he usually climbs on Saturdays, he added.
“It [still] depends on the weather. If it’s rainy or it rained a couple of hours ago, [we] can’t [climb] because it’s so dangerous. The wet rocks are so slippery. If you miss, you will definitely hurt yourself.”
Of the gear needed to rock climb, Kuwahara said a person needs a pair of climbing shoes, chalk for drying fingertips, a chalk bag, a climbing harness and a rope.
There are a couple of local spots he likes to climb, Kuwahara said. “The one I really enjoy is Kaena Point. … I usually go there with my friends.” Sometimes he can see a few bird’s nests along the route while climbing there, he added.
Kuwahara said if no one can go climbing with him, he goes to Waimea where he can do bouldering, a type of rock climbing where there is no safety harness. He said the height of this climb is about as tall as an average ceiling.
Another spot Kuwahara enjoys to climb on Oahu is near the Makapuu Lighthouse. Located on the south side of the island, he said the climb is beautiful because, at the top, you can see the vast blue ocean and tiny islands from afar.
Kuwahara said his friends from Colorado, Utah, Idaho and Arizona usually know how to climb because they grew up climbing. When a mutual friend invites another friend to rock climb, the BYUH community of climbers expands, he shared. There are now about 20 people who rock climb, he said.
Katie Berry, a junior from Utah majoring in accounting, rock climbed with Kuwahara twice last year. She said, “Sei is a really good rock climber, and a smart one too. You can tell how much he enjoys the challenge.
“It was a lot of fun climbing with Sei. The first time we went to the beach and bouldered on the rocks, and the second time we went way up in the mountains and climbed [a] beautiful place near Kaena Point.”
Describing their climb up the mountain, Berry said, “The hike up was pretty intense, especially with a heavy pack on your back, but Sei managed to keep a smile the whole way. Once we got to the top, we faced a large blackish mountain, but when you turned around, it was a beautiful view of the ocean and the green trees.”
Berry said Kuwahara has taught her to be enthusiastic and to encourage others to learn new things. She said, “Sei is a very kind person and always looks out for his friends. He tries to make sure everyone is included, and I’ve felt that from him.”
Berry continued, “A few days after I had gone climbing with him, he invited me and my friend, Lianna, to come and have dinner at his place with his roommates. … He was a really good host and made sure to talk with everyone who was there and I saw how he kept everyone included the best he could.”
Eve Gonzales, a senior from Texas majoring in accounting, said she met Kuwahara through mutual friends and has been rock climbing with him a few times.
She shared, “Back in May, I went rock climbing for the first time [at Kaena Point.] Sei was the ultimate teacher and guided me as I climbed and taught me as I belayed others. The experience was new for me and I didn’t know if I’d be any good. He had nothing but positive feedback and attitude.”
She added, “Kaena Point is one of the only spots on the island to climb. It requires you to do a bit of a hike to get to the spot.” Gonzales said she has done the hike more than once and would still do it again.