Magnificence in our ‘Ohana: Karissa Yu. Holding the Rope!

Karissa Yu – Holding the Rope

HiClimb – non-profit: Adaptive Climbing Group
January 2026

By Sarah Hodges

I’m often moved to tears when I witness the power of people coming together in unified efforts, especially when they push (against odds) to do something positive and uplifting for a greater good. As I listened to Karissa Yu’s story about herself and a group of experienced climbers supporting a young girl who, despite her limited mobility, built the strength and confidence to move laterally on her own in the climbing gym, my eyes welled up.

Karissa is known at Still & Moving center for her warm, bubbly spirit, whether she’s helping around the studio or joyfully participating in hula and dance classes. When she isn’t dancing or caring for little ones, you’ll likely find her at the climbing gym. Her experience there is nothing short of life-changing …and quietly heroic.

Through the nonprofit Adaptive Climbing Group, Karissa takes part in a rare kind of transformation – one that affirms life and reminds us how tender and powerful it is to be human. She first climbed in Australia, and after moving back to Hawai‘i five years ago, she joined the Kaka‘ako HiClimb gym. Her dedication to climbing, combined with her deep love for children, led her to become the Youth Volunteer Lead at HiClimb in Honolulu.

A few years later, HiClimb partnered with the Adaptive Climbing Group, or ACG, a New York-based nonprofit founded by paraclimber Kareemah Batts. After losing part of her leg to cancer, Kareemah discovered climbing and fell in love with the sport. She went on to compete and became the first female paraclimber in a U.S. Climbing Competition. Recognizing that many gyms lacked ways for people with disabilities to participate, she founded ACG to train experienced climbers to support those who might not otherwise have access, opening the door for nearly anyone to experience the joy and thrill of climbing.

In 2022, Kareemah traveled to Hawai‘i to train staff in managing ropes, carabiners, and clips, equipping them to support climbers of all abilities, including those who use wheelchairs.

As Youth Volunteer Lead, Karissa helps organize events and special climb days. During ACG-supported sessions, she coordinates teams of volunteers, making sure each climber has exactly the support they need. For Karissa, this work is one of the most meaningful parts of her role. One young climber, in particular, left a lasting impression on everyone.

“My favorite story is about one of our long-time youth climbers,” says Karissa. The climber, a young girl with limited mobility in the left side of her body, arrived at the gym in a wheelchair a little over a year ago. On her first day, she went for a few laps around the gym with the staff, adjusting to the energy of the room. She kept coming back and gradually grew comfortable with the idea of climbing. One day, she arrived ready to go up the wall. “When she got into the chair and climbed, the biggest smile spread across her face,” Karissa shared. Her mom cried, and staff members teared up. The next month, she returned and climbed again without hesitation.

“We have a strong group of staff with the right mix of skills to support assisted climbs,” explains Karissa. “After about two months, the young climber became too strong for the chair, so we taught her to climb using only a harness and assistant ropes. Soon she grew strong enough to climb without the ropes. Now she climbs in a harness just like anyone else.”

Many people don’t realize that climbing also serves as powerful physical and therapeutic training, building strength and stamina even for people without lower-body mobility.

Karissa and her team watched their young climber grow in confidence and light up the space, no longer shy or hesitant. “Now, she’s full of smiles and gives high fives,” Karissa says with excitement.

“The biggest thing I want people to know is that this is possible,” says Karissa. “There are almost no limits to who we can help climb, whether someone has a short-term or long-term disability, physical or cognitive.” Karissa hopes the public will learn more about the Adaptive Climbing Group, especially people with disabilities and their loved ones.

“At HiClimb, we have a phenomenal team that can support climbers of any ability, and we continue to see undeniable growth and positive change in everyone who comes through our doors.”

https://www.adaptiveclimbinggroup.org/