Week of 10/11/24
What's Happening at HPA This Week?
Message from the Head of School
Aloha HPA ʻohana,
Pilina part two: Electric Boogaloo
Inspired by the many connections deepened during the Upper School ʻOhana Days, there continue to be active examples of pilina throughout all our division programs this week.
During the K-5 assembly, one of our featured presentations was from 4th-grade students, who shared about their recent studies and excursions learning about sustainability and the ecosystem of our island. Their Wā Pilina with our Upper School Marine Biology class, captured by Mrs. Monello in this video, was a wonderful opportunity to connect together for International Coastal Clean Up at ʻOhaiʻula (Spencer Beach Park).
Continuing this thread of connection to place, our Middle School Theme Week provided our students with a variety of experiences to enhance understanding and appreciation of Hawaiʻi Island and beyond. Three grades embodied the mālama kaiāulu framework they have been learning about in their advisory sessions and assemblies and put it to work with service project activations across our community. Grade 6 rolled up their sleeves and got their fingers into the dirt to assist our partners at Ulu Mau Puanui with their ongoing conservation efforts. Grade 7 explored our bountiful ocean that nurtures, supports and sustains our islands. Let’s not forget our 8th-grade class venturing out to the southeast to explore Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. This 8th-grade trip carries special ties to the 8th-grade Capstone Program and connects to their Hawaiian Studies curriculum during which students practice the offering of hoʻokupu and the chants they have learned since kindergarten. It’s always so impressive to see how each grade level deeply engages in pilina with their classmates and place.
These experiential learning opportunities, anchored in sustainability through our model of mālama kaiāulu and our mission, are foundational for our seniors who are jumping into their capstone work. At the Upper School this week, I was able to catch some of our senior capstone “pitches.” These pitch presentations are intended to solicit feedback on the work and projects that each senior is working on this year. Capstone projects hold our seniors accountable to identifying an opportunity, need, or issue. They then offer a solution, demonstrate their qualifications, passion for, and connection to the work, and ask for guidance, support, and feedback on their initial ideas. Our faculty did an amazing job preparing their cohorts for this moment in their learning process. It is impossible to participate in these sessions without coming away inspired and excited about our future leaders.
Speaking of connecting, I get to head out this weekend to visit our many families, alumni, and friends in Taiwan, Korea, and Japan. This trip is always a wonderful opportunity to bring a little of HPA and Waimea to a different part of the world. While I will miss my mornings of Village campus greetings and the many activities of daily school life, I am excited to connect with our folks abroad sharing what is happening right now at HPA.
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend! Happy Aloha Friday!
Gratefully,
Fred Wawner
Head of School
Links:
Lower School Student-Parent Handbook, 2024-2025
Middle School Student-Parent Handbook, 2024-2025
Upper School Student-Parent Handbook, 2024-2025
Upper School Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy
Upper School Honor Code & Pledge
HPA is committed to providing an accessible education to as many students as possible. To continue to best serve our community of families with scholarships and financial aid, please help completing the HPA Demographic Data Survey. Your responses will allow us to better understand and quantify diversity within the HPA community, and to ensure that we are serving the needs of all students. Participation in this survey is required to ensure we have accurate and comprehensive data.
Please note that your responses will be completely anonymous. The information you provide will only be used in aggregate, meaning no individual will be identified. Our goal is to use this data to create a more supportive and responsive environment for everyone.
Mahalo for your assistance with this very important effort to better understand diversity at HPA as we continuously strive to serve our community to the best of our ability.
School Bulletins for the Week of 10/11/24
Lower School
Each week, Lower School Principal Dora Kwong writes a message to K-5 families highlighting joyful moments and meaningful lessons and offering a glimpse into what students and parents can plan for in the weeks ahead.
From the desk of your Division Principal, Dora Kwong
Aloha Lower School families!
This Monday’s Assembly set the tone for the week, focusing on our core value of Respect. An all important reminder about respectful and safe play during recess periods, was soon followed by an energizing dance completely choreographed by 3rd graders, Emma, Lili, and Samantha. They said, “‘Nobody Can Change Me is a message that speaks to us because we are all different, and we can be ourselves. And it is Emma’s fave song!” The girls practiced diligently for several weeks to prepare this fun performance about respecting each other’s individuality.
Papa ʻEhā (4th grade) also took the “stage,” and (as you may have seen in the video linked above in Mr. Wawner’s message) talked about their exceptional learning through Operation Wildlife and a Wā Pilina opportunity with our Upper School’s young scientists for International Coastal Cleanup. Not only did they make connections to their learning about the ecosystem and sustainability, but they reminded us of the all important message that respecting and taking care of our ʻāina is everyone’s responsibility. Finally, ask your keiki about meeting the newest member of our Lower School ʻohana, Kaniela Anakalea-Buckley, also affectionately known as Uncle Badger, who is assisting in our K-5 Hawaiian Studies classes this year. His expertise in waʻa culture and Hawaiian studies will be a boon to our students’ experiences and we are thrilled for him to be bringing his passion to work with our students.
On Wednesday, October 16, we are very excited for our K-5 students to meet Kaylin Melia George, author of the beautiful picture book, Aloha Everything. Kaylin Melia George grew up listening to her mother’s bedtime stories about Molokaʻi, which inspired her lifelong dedication to storytelling. During her visit, students will hear about her journey as a storyteller and learn about the many different forms storytelling can take. Through her work, Kaylin celebrates her Native Hawaiian ancestry, and she’ll share how Aloha Everything became the story she always dreamed of telling. Aloha Everything is also one of the three nominees for the 2025 Ānuenue Hawaiʻi Keiki Book Award!
In addition to preparing for this special author visit, our K-5 library classes have been using the election season as a teachable moment for all our young scholars. Under the direction of K-8 Librarian, Mrs. Kristin Tarnas, students are exploring the character traits of fictional characters from favorite books. Each student will then nominate a character they believe would make a great presidential candidate. Students will use persuasive language and evidence from the stories to “campaign” for their chosen character. In November, each class will then hold an election to vote for a “Fiction Character President.” Our goal is for students to learn about important character traits, practice critical thinking skills, engage in respectful discourse, and gain hands-on experience with the democratic process. Grade level classes will be making connections to these library sessions, as well as refer to these guidelines, in their own, grade-appropriate way as they learn to engage and dialogue as a respectful community.
Take a moment to discuss this project with your child(ren). Talking about the characters, their strengths and weaknesses, and the reasons for their nominations can be a wonderful way to connect literature to real-world civics. We look forward to sharing the results of the “Fiction Character President” election with our school community!
As a reminder we have Photo Retake Day scheduled for Monday, October 14, from 8:30 to 9:00 am. Students who were absent on the original photo day should have their photo taken on this day. Students who wish to have their photo retaken should bring back their entire photo package to return to Reed Photography.
Lower School Student-Parent Handbook
A final reminder to parents to please review and submit the Lower School Student-Parent Handbook acknowledgment form for the 2024-2025 academic year. This is due Friday, October 11, 2024. 5th-grade students are also assigned this form to complete via myHPA (K-4th grade students do not have access), and have had class time to do so.
Have a beautiful weekend, Lower School ʻohana!
Me ke aloha pumehana,
Dora Kwong
Lower School Principal
Schedule
Our K-5 classes continue with in-person instruction on our Village Campus on Monday, October 14.
We encourage all families to check the School Calendar in myHPA for the most up-to-date information. In addition, a list of Key Dates (school opening and closures) can also be located on the Lower School Family Resources tile located in myHPA.
Coming Up
• Monday, October 14, from 8:30 to 9:00 am: School Photo Retake Day
• Wednesday, October 16, at 7:40 am: Grades 3-5 morning drop-off at Upper School GPAC
• Wednesday, October 16, at 2:00 pm: Early Release Wednesday
• Thursday, October 17, at 7:40 am: Grades 3-5 morning drop-off at Upper School GPAC
• Friday, October 18, at 2:15 pm: Grades 3-5 Musical, “If You Come to Earth”
• Friday, October 18, at 3:00 to 3:15 pm: Grades K-5 afternoon pick-up at Upper School GPAC
• Thursday, October 24 – Wednesday, October 30: Spirit Week
• Thursday, October 31- Friday, November 1: Village Campus Parent-teacher Conferences, no classes grades K-8
Kīpona Scholarships
Kīpona Scholarships for the 2025-26 school year are open now through December 1. Offered through Kamehameha Schools, eligible applicants must be entering grade 6 or 9 (current 5th and 8th graders), and be a Hawai‘i resident. (Lived continuously in Hawai‘i for at least 12 months of application date.) More details and the application are available here. Current Kīpona Scholarship recipients must reapply by December 1.
It is with great pride that we officially announce the beginning of a truly momentous occasion — our 75th anniversary! Throughout this school year, we will celebrate together and invite you to join us in remembering that we are all — alumni, students, parents, faculty and friends — Ka Makani. Take a stroll through our historical timeline, meet just a few of the many Ka Makani who make us proud, and read about our vision for the future in the 75th Anniversary feature just launched on our website. There, you will also find information about planned gatherings for the year ahead, and have a chance to pre-order our very special 75th anniversary aloha wear collection. Make sure to follow us on Instagram @HawaiiPrep to stay in the loop about all of the festivities.
Student Support
Ms. Baydo (K-8 School Counselor) rbaydo@hpa.edu and Mr. Ludes (K-8 Learning Specialist) jludes@hpa.edu are available to discuss and support social-emotional and academic concerns for your child(ren). Please connect with them via email.
After School Program, K-5
Please email our Director of After School Programs, Mrs. Mele DeMille (mdemille@hpa.edu), if you would like your child to attend. You may refer to this email for our Lower School families with more information.
Past Email Communications
All past email communications can be accessed by visiting the Lower School Family Resources tile on myHPA and scrolling down to Past Parent Email Communications, 2024-2025.
myHPA
In addition to Seesaw, many important resources can be located on our community portal, myHPA. Check the Lower School Family Resources tile for the most up-to-date information.
Middle School
Each week, Middle School Principal Michael Cservenak pens a note to 6-8 families reflecting on the activities and accomplishments of the week and previewing what students and parents can look forward to in the coming days.
From the desk of your Division Principal, Michael Cservenak
Aloha Middle School families,
E ola ʻoe; E ola mākou nei or Because you live, we live!
These were the words our students spoke as part of the protocol for giving life to the koʻokoʻolau plants they placed in the earth on the third day of our 8th-grade Theme Week journey. The koʻokoʻolau flower is related to the sunflower and served as the understory of the canopy that had been planted by previous generations of students. This day of service with the Three Mountain Alliance on the edge of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park ran in parallel with a stunning day of epic work by our 7th graders in the Pololū Valley during which they hauled over 200 pounds of stranded fishing net from the beach. Our 6th graders also engaged in the ahupuaʻa with the Ulu Mau Puanui in a day of service engaging in maintenance for the native plant life sustained there. HPA Middle School students learned via hands-on experience the value of authentic stewardship, all while connecting and making lifelong memories with their classmates.
Theme Week has shifted over the years and the renewed focus on service and experiential learning is serving our school community and the learning of our students well. As we embark forward into the second half of the first semester, the lessons, experiences and connections learned through the planning and partnership development our teams have worked on for the better part of a year will continue to bear fruit.
Middle School Student-Parent Handbook
You may have already noticed that when you log into myHPA you will be prompted to review and submit the Middle School Student-Parent Handbook acknowledgment form for the 2024-2025 academic year. Mahalo for completing this by Friday, October 11, 2024.
As a reminder, all 6th-grade through 8th-grade students are also assigned this form to complete via myHPA by Friday, October 11, 2024.
Have a restful weekend!
Mahalo nui loa,
Michael Cservenak
Middle School Principal
Schedule
Our Middle School 2024-2025 Daily Schedule continues with in-person instruction on our Village Campus on Monday, October 14.
We encourage all families to check the School Calendar in myHPA for the most up-to-date information. In addition, a list of Key Dates (school opening and closures) can also be located on the Middle School Family Resources tile located in myHPA.
Coming Up
• Wednesday, October 16, at 2:00 pm: Early Release Wednesday
• Thursday, October 31 – Friday, November 1: Village Campus Parent-teacher Conferences, no classes grades K-8
Kīpona Scholarships
Kīpona Scholarships for the 2025-26 school year are open now through December 1. Offered through Kamehameha Schools, eligible applicants must be entering grade 6 or 9 (current 5th and 8th graders), and be a Hawai‘i resident. (Lived continuously in Hawai‘i for at least 12 months of application date.) More details and the application are available here. Current Kīpona Scholarship recipients must reapply by December 1.
It is with great pride that we officially announce the beginning of a truly momentous occasion — our 75th anniversary! Throughout this school year, we will celebrate together and invite you to join us in remembering that we are all — alumni, students, parents, faculty and friends — Ka Makani. Take a stroll through our historical timeline, meet just a few of the many Ka Makani who make us proud, and read about our vision for the future in the 75th Anniversary feature just launched on our website. There, you will also find information about planned gatherings for the year ahead, and have a chance to pre-order our very special 75th anniversary aloha wear collection. Make sure to follow us on Instagram @HawaiiPrep to stay in the loop about all of the festivities.
Student Support
Please remember that we will be outside as much as possible during lunch and recess, so a rain jacket for light rains and a pareo or small beach towel for picnicking will be great to have at school. Students should also bring a water bottle to school each day.
Ms. Baydo (K-8 School Counselor) rbaydo@hpa.edu and Mr. Ludes (K-8 Learning Specialist) jludes@hpa.edu are available to discuss and support social-emotional and academic concerns for your child(ren). Please connect with them via email.
After School Program, Grades 6-8
Please email our Director of After School Programs, Mrs. Mele DeMille (mdemille@hpa.edu) if you would like your child to attend. You may refer to this email for our Middle School families for more information.
Past Email Communications
All past email communications can be accessed by visiting the Middle School Family Resource tile on myHPA and scrolling down to ‘Past Email Communications, 2024-2025’.
myHPA
myHPA is where you can find all the resources related to your child’s learning. Two key resource boards that we would like to draw your attention to are the ‘Middle School Family Resources’ and the ‘Middle School Student Resources’.
myHPA Tutorials
myHPA is your window to your child’s progress in school. Here you will find their schedules, their assignments, their grade books and so much more. Ms. Monello and our IT team have put together a number of tutorials to help you navigate the myHPA parent portal.
Please note this myHPA Middle School Parent Tutorial, which gives you an overview of using myHPA as a window to your child’s learning in real time.
Upper School
Each week, our Upper School leadership team provides valuable insight into campus culture while sharing updates with 9-12 day and Residential Life students and parents on everything taking place, from academics to athletics and the arts.
From the desk of your Upper School leadership team
Aloha Upper School families,
As we transition from Quarter 1 to Quarter 2, it is a great time for reflection and forward planning. We encourage families to have regular check-ins with their student(s) about their school experiences. Take a moment to discuss what has gone well in the first eight weeks, celebrate their successes, and identify areas where growth is possible or changes might be needed.
These conversations are vital as they help our students develop self-awareness and set personal goals. Regular dialogues about school experiences enhance learning and equip our students with the skills to navigate challenges more effectively.
Please remember to check myHPA for the most recent updates on your student’s grades. If you have any concerns or if your child needs additional support, do not hesitate to reach out to their teacher or advisor.
With only eight weeks remaining before finals, it is crucial to stay engaged and proactive in your student’s education. Together, let us make these next weeks as productive and positive as possible.
Mahalo for your continued partnership and support in your student’s educational journey.
Upper School Student-Parent Handbook and Harassment & Sexual Misconduct Policy
The Upper School Student-Parent Handbook outlines the rules, expectations, and procedures that help maintain a safe and productive learning environment for all students. By reviewing and acknowledging the handbook, you and your child can work together to uphold the school’s standards. This level of collaboration between home and school is essential for your child’s success.
Furthermore, the Harassment & Sexual Misconduct Policy provides clear guidelines on addressing any incidents of bullying, discrimination, or other unacceptable behaviors. When families are familiar with this policy, they can better support the school’s efforts to ensure a respectful and inclusive community. Together, we can foster an environment where all students feel safe, valued, and empowered to thrive.
You may have already noticed that when you log into myHPA you will be prompted to review and submit the Upper School Student-Parent Handbook, and the Harassment & Sexual Misconduct Policy, and Honor Code & Pledge acknowledgement forms for the 2024-2025 academic year. Mahalo for completing this by Thursday, October 17, 2024.
As a reminder, all 9th-grade through 12th-grade students are also assigned these forms to complete via myHPA by Thursday, October 17.
Emergency Communication – CrisisGO for Parents/Guardians
Families, in the safety update of the All-School section of this bulletin (below), you have hopefully seen an invitation to sign up to receive emergency communications from the Upper School. Please click on this invitation link and complete the form by adding your name, email, and cell number (international numbers work fine; this is an important step if you would like to receive an SMS message) and click on the Subscribe button. Should an emergency occur, you will be alerted by email and SMS messaging. You do not need to upload an app. Just complete the prompts after following this invitation link.
Mahalo,
Mark Noetzel
Assistant Head of School for Upper School
Schedule
Our Upper School 2024-2025 Daily Schedule will resume as an ʻUla day with in-person instruction on our Upper Campus on Monday, October 14.
We encourage all students and families to access the School Calendar in myHPA for the most up-to-date information. In addition, a list of Key Dates (school opening and closures) can also be located on the Upper School Family Resources tile located in myHPA.
Coming Up
• Saturday, October 19, from 6:30 to 9:00 pm: Fall Ball, Kahilu Theater Town Hall
• Friday, October 25, from 8:15 to 11:30 am: Sophomore and Junior PSAT testing
Additional PSAT testing information:
- All Sophomores and Juniors will be taking the PSAT on Friday, October 25, from 8:45 to 11:30 am.
- Check in for students will be from 8:15 to 8:45 am.
- Sophomores will check-in and test in the gym.
- Juniors will check-in and test with their advisors in their advisor rooms.
- There is no makeup day for the PSAT.
- Students will be dismissed after testing, but they may have lunch on campus.
- There will be JV/Varsity sports in the afternoon at 3:30 pm.
What to bring on PSAT testing day:
- Your FULLY CHARGED testing device with the Bluebook™ application installed and exam setup completed (see detailed device requirements). NO PERSONAL CHROMEBOOKs.
- Pencils or pens for scratch work.
- An acceptable calculator for use on the math section of the test (there will be an embedded graphing calculator available to use within Bluebook).
It is with great pride that we officially announce the beginning of a truly momentous occasion — our 75th anniversary! Throughout this school year, we will celebrate together and invite you to join us in remembering that we are all — alumni, students, parents, faculty and friends — Ka Makani. Take a stroll through our historical timeline, meet just a few of the many Ka Makani who make us proud, and read about our vision for the future in the 75th Anniversary feature just launched on our website. There, you will also find information about planned gatherings for the year ahead, and have a chance to pre-order our very special 75th anniversary aloha wear collection. Make sure to follow us on Instagram @HawaiiPrep to stay in the loop about all of the festivities.
Student Support
Should your child need additional learning support, we encourage you to reach out to Amanda Aragon, our Upper School Learning Center Coordinator, by emailing aaragon@hpa.edu. In addition, our counselors are ready to assist any student who needs additional support to navigate these unusual and unprecedented times. Please feel free to reach out to the Upper Campus counseling team of Tiffany Freitas at 808-881-4038 or tfreitas@hpa.edu and Steve Furchner at 808-640-4441 or sfurchner@hpa.edu.
Student Life
Ka Makani Athletics
Another fall season is ready to roll. Let the games begin! Here’s the updated fall athletic schedule and the weekly schedule. GO KA MAKANI! You can also access the athletics schedule on the myHPA calendar.
Fall Ball
Our semi-formal dance, Fall Ball, will take place off-campus, on Saturday, October 19, at the Kahilu Theater Town Hall, in Waimea, from 6:30 to 9:00 pm. The junior Class Leaders, Mrs. Laura Swarz-Burt, Mrs. Scarth, and Mrs. Montgomery, as well as our junior Class Reps, Charlie Chen, Nina Cipriano, and Pemma Norbu, have worked very hard to make this special event a fun and memorable evening for all.
Fall Ball Tickets
Tickets are $50.00 and will go on sale in front of Ko Kākou Hale, the student union, during lunch (11:15 am to 12:10 pm) for:
- Juniors and seniors: Wednesday, October 9
- All grade levels: Thursday, October 10, and Thursday, October 11
Students may pay with cash or with their KaMakaniCash account (if funds have already been deposited). The ticket cost covers a sit-down catered meal, dessert, photos, and the rental of the town hall.
Citizenship Requirements
To be eligible to attend the dance, students must be passing Citizenship, with three or fewer conduct points. If a student has four or more conduct points, they will need to be brought down to three or lower conduct points by Wednesday, October 16, by 5:00 pm, or they will not be able to attend the Fall Ball. To make arrangements to work off conduct points or if you have questions or concerns related to Citizenship, you should be directed to Mr. Moltz by Tuesday, October 15.
Non-HPA Student Guests
This dance is for currently enrolled HPA Upper School students only.
Event Logistics
The doors will open at 6:30 pm. Students must arrive by 7:00 pm and stay for the duration of the dance or until 8:30 pm. If a student needs to leave the dance early for any reason, they must check out with the chaperone in charge of attendance, Mrs Montgomery. She or Ms. Watson will contact parents by phone before dismissing the student from the dance. Once a student leaves the dance, they will not be permitted to return.
Large purses or bags will not be allowed into the dance. Students will be asked to leave all bags with chaperones. A small clutch is acceptable.
Menu
This dinner will be a catered sit-down menu with vegetarian/vegan and gluten-free options; including smoked brisket, mac and cheese, vegan ravioli, sweet rolls with butter, Caesar salad, beverages, and desserts.
Dress Code
The dress code for this dance is unisex and semi-formal. Students may wear nice trousers, a dress shirt, and dress shoes. Clean casual shoes are also acceptable. Shirts must be tucked in. Ties are encouraged. Students may also choose to wear pantsuits. Nice informal dresses or formal dresses can also be worn, but all dresses should be in good taste with no cutouts below the elbow, no high slits, no low necklines, no overly exposed midriff or bustline, and no low backs.
Please refer to our Fall Ball 2024 Dress-Code Policy and abide by it.
Student Conduct and Dress Code Contract
Students must sign a Student Conduct and Dress Code Contract. The Student Conduct and Dress Code Contract will be sent to them in myHPA after they have purchased their ticket. This form is due no later than Thursday, October 17, at noon.
Failure to complete this form will result in not being admitted to the Fall Ball and we are unable to give refunds.
In this form, students acknowledge the dress code policy and the school’s behavior expectations and promise to abide by them. Any student found violating the dress code will work a pre-assigned meal duty for ten consecutive days.
Parking and Transportation
Bus transportation will be provided for all residential students. All residential students taking the HPA bus to and from the dance must complete an Orah Fall Ball pass by Wednesday, October16, at 12:30 pm.
If residential students are not taking an HPA bus to and from campus (i.e. they are getting a ride from someone else), they must complete a normal weekend Orah pass.
All residential students, regardless of transportation, must be back in the dormitories by 10:00 pm unless they have signed out for the weekend.
If day students wish to drive themselves to and from the dance, parking is adjacent to the town hall.
Waimea Police Presence
As this is an off-campus dance, we have asked the Waimea Police Department to have two uniformed officers present throughout the dance.
Emergency Contacts
In the event of an emergency, parents may contact Ms. Liz Watson, Director of Student Affairs, at 808-936-8314.
Student Safety
There are no pre- or post-dance parties sanctioned by the school. Student safety is our top priority, and we want to ensure our students are not placing themselves in situations that can put them at risk. The Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Hawaiʻi County Police Department reports a higher occurrence of teen parties along the Kona-Kohala coast and an increase in motor vehicle fatalities involving alcohol. If your child asks to attend a party, we strongly encourage you to contact the adult host to verify that adult supervision will be provided. We want to ensure that students enjoy each other’s company in a healthy environment.
If you have questions about Fall Ball, please get in touch with Ms. Watson at lwatson@hpa.edu.
Need to Meet with a Teacher or Administrator?
As a reminder, HPA is a closed campus, so if a parent or guardian wishes to come to campus during the academic day, they will need an appointment with one or more of the following:
- Upper School Office (upperschool@hpa.edu)
- US Administrative Assistant, Līhau Wengler-Ioane (lihau@hpa.edu)
- Assistant Head of School for Upper School, Mark Noetzel (hpaus@hpa.edu)
- Curriculum & Instruction Coordinator: Dr. Amanda Aragon, aaragon@hpa.edu
- Capstone Program Coordinator: Pualani Lincoln Maielua ‘01, plincolnmaielua@hpa.edu
- Athletics: Steve Perry (sperry@hpa.edu)
- Extra-curricular programs: Kaʻai Spencer (jspencer@hpa.edu)
- Student’s Advisor
- Student Life Center (studentlife@hpa.edu)
- Health Services (infirmary@hpa.edu)
Ka Makani Travel
Ka Makani Travel, HPA’s student travel program, is offering four trips for the 2024-25 school year:
- Spring Break 2025 – Japan: Land of the Rising Sun with EF Tours, the deadline to enroll is November 8, 2024 → limited space available
- Spring Break 2025 – The Alps and the Mediterranean Coast with EF Tours; the deadline to enroll is November 8, 2024 → date changed to Spring Break 2026
Please contact Ka Makani Travel Coordinator Adrienne White (awhite@hpa.edu) for information on registration, eligibility, and travel grants.
Whom to Contact at HPA
If you are unsure who to contact regarding a specific question or issue, please refer to our Whom to Contact guide.
Residential Life
Thank you again to all of the families who came to visit campus this past weekend; we hope that you had a good visit, and that we will see you again soon! With ʻOhana Days behind us, we wanted to share a reminder of the other breaks this semester, as families start to plan for travel and visits, we also start to plan for rides to and from the airport. Here are some reminders of when we need travel itineraries by for the upcoming Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks:
Thanksgiving Break 2024
Flight Itineraries due: November 11, 2024
Departures: Flights should not depart before 6:00 pm on Tuesday, November 26. Transportation starts after 3:00 pm on Tuesday, November 26, through Wednesday, November 27.
Arrivals: Transportation from the airport will be all day on Sunday, December 1.
Winter Break 2024
Flight Itineraries due: November 11, 2024
Departures: Flights should not depart before 6:00 pm on Thursday, December 12. Transportation starts after 3:00 pm on Thursday, December 12, through noon on Saturday, December 14, when the dorms close for the break.
Arrivals: Transportation from the airport will be all day on Sunday, January 5, and Monday, January 6, 2025.
College Counseling
College Visits: Monday, October 14 – Friday, October 18
Monday, October 14: Oregon Institute of Technology (Klamath Falls, OR) 11:45 am – 12:15 pm
Tuesday, October 15: Connecticut College (New London, CT) 11:45 am – 12:15 pm
Wednesday, October 16: University of Massachusetts, Amherst (Amherst, MA) 11:45 am – 12:15 pm Zoom Link
Thursday, October 17: University of British Columbia (Vancouver, BC) 11:45 am – 12:15 pm Zoom Link
PSAT Testing Day on Friday, October 25, for All Sophomores and Juniors
- All Sophomores and Juniors will be taking the PSAT on Friday, October 25, from 8:30 to 11:30 am.
- Check in for students will be from 8:00 to 8:30 am.
- Sophomores will check-in and test in the gym.
- Juniors will check-in and test with their advsiors in their advisor rooms.
- There is no makeup day for the PSAT.
- Students will be dismissed after testing, but they may have lunch on campus.
- There will be JV/Varsity sports in the afternoon at 3:30 pm.
What to bring on PSAT testing day:
- Your FULLY CHARGED testing device with the Bluebook™ application installed and exam setup completed (see detailed device requirements). NO PERSONAL CHROMEBOOKs.
- Pencils or pens for scratch work.
- An acceptable calculator for use on the math section of the test (there will be an embedded graphing calculator available to use within Bluebook).
Schedule an Individual Check-in Meeting
Mr. Kelsey and Mrs. Montgomery are available for individual check-in meetings. Please click below to select a 30-minute time slot for an individual appointment with your assigned counselor. All meetings will be in the College Counseling Center.
If you are a new senior, or are unsure of your assigned counselor, please contact us directly at college@hpa.edu.
Register for the SAT and/or ACT and Test Prep (if appropriate)
We will offer the following SAT and ACT tests at HPA. Seniors register and pay for these tests by logging on to their College Board or ACT accounts and paying with a credit card. Listed below are the fall test dates that will be offered on the HPA Upper Campus this fall.
SAT Dates – Fall 2024
- Saturday, October 5 (registration deadline has passed)
- Saturday, November 2 (registration deadline October 18)
- Saturday, December 7 (registration deadline November 22)
ACT Dates – Fall 2024
- Saturday, October 26 (registration deadline September 20)
- Saturday, December 14 (registration deadline November 18)
Past Email Communications
All past email communications can be accessed by visiting the Upper School Family Resources tile on myHPA and scrolling down to ‘Past Email Communications, 2024-2025’.
myHPA
myHPA is where you can find all the resources related to your child’s learning. Two key resource boards that we would like to draw your attention to are the ‘Upper School Family Resources’, and the ‘Upper School Student Resources’.
All-School
Need to know information for our entire Ka Makani ʻohana.
Admissions
The financial aid application for the 2025-2026 school year is now available. Returning students are our priority, and we encourage families with demonstrated financial need to apply. We’re excited to continue partnering with Clarity, a quick and user-friendly platform. The application process can take as little as 20 minutes and includes automatic IRS document transfers.
The deadline is Friday, November 1, 2024. Start your application here and review our “How to Apply” guide for a smooth experience. For any questions, please contact Sarah Edwards at sedwards_fa@hpa.edu.
We are accepting applications for the 2025-2026 academic year! We are excited to welcome the new season of admissions! Be sure to apply for a sibling and share it with your friends and family. Returning students and families will receive information about re-enrollment early next year.
Our admissions team is on the road in a variety of locations locally and around the world to meet up with prospective students, parents, alumni, and more! We look forward to many good times together as we dive into the new school year. Mahalo for your partnership and enthusiasm for HPA!
Advancement & Alumni
Alu Mai 2024 is SOLD OUT! Mahalo nui for your outstanding generosity in support of Financial Aid and your aloha for HPA.
Financial Aid at HPA is a proud tradition. We are humbled and grateful to continue to honor Anna Lindsey Perry-Fiske’s legacy by helping to make HPA accessible to keiki throughout our community. Your generous hearts make it possible every day.
We look forward to seeing many of you on Saturday, November 23, for this festive evening for Financial Aid! For those of you who won’t make it this year, you will be missed! We hope to see you next year, and in the meantime — you can join in by making a gift in support of Financial Aid during this season of giving and gratitude. E Alu Mai!
Auxiliary Services
For students who ride the Hele-On Bus to school each day, HPA will offer a shuttle for the Route 76 Green Line bus that arrives at approximately 8:20 am. The shuttle will be parked at the bus stop just past the Waiaka Bridge on Kawaihae Road. For questions or more information, you can contact Auxiliary Services at 808-881-4041 or email auxiliary@hpa.edu.
Health and Wellness
We are asking that everyone routinely assess themselves for symptoms of illness — which can be mild, so please pay close attention. If you or your child(ren) develop any symptoms of illness, contact your healthcare provider and HPA Health Services at vcinfirmary@hpa.edu (Village Campus) or infirmary@hpa.edu (Upper Campus). Please keep your child(ren) home until they are no longer sick.
ʻOhana Association
Our Wā Pilina ʻOhana Series kicks off on October 17! The purpose of the Wā Pilina series is to connect HPA families to the culture, history, language and community of Waimea and Hawaiʻi. It is an invitation for HPA ʻohana to learn and connect through moʻolelo, immersive experiences, and stewardship opportunities guided by Kumu Kūwalu and Waimea kūpuna. Join Kumu Kūwalu on Thursday, October 17, from 5:00 to 6:30 pm at the Village Campus Library as she presents on the Malana Mai Kaʻū chant and geography. Sign-up here. Read more about this semester’s events here.
The Haunted Walk for our Upper School students is coming up on Saturday, October 26 and we need your help! This beloved event cannot happen without amazing volunteers! Please sign-up to assist in making this year’s Haunted Walk the best ever. There are many ways to participate – from pizza and candy donations to volunteering the night of the event. Join in and prepare to be spooked!
The Village Campus Halloween Trick-or-Treat March is on Wednesday, October 30, from 1:30 to 2:00 pm. Our K-5 students will be invited to put their costumes on and trick-or-treat in the 6th-8th grade classrooms. Middle School students will have their own costume contest and also enjoy some treats! We need your help to make this event a success — please sign-up to volunteer! Don’t forget to send a Halloween costume to school with your keiki on Wednesday, October 30. Lower School and Middle School dismissal will be at its regularly scheduled time that day.
Our ʻOhana Association hosts a variety of events and activities for our school community throughout the year. As parents of HPA, you are automatically part of the ʻOhana Association. There are many ways to participate, and we encourage everyone to get involved. It is a great way to meet your fellow parents and support our amazing Ka Makani community. Mark your calendar for these upcoming events, and be sure to email ohana@hpa.edu with any questions, or to find out what volunteer opportunities are available!
Isaacs Art Center
Experience Art with Terry Field
Join us on Friday, November 1, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm for a unique event that offers the opportunity to create your own painting under the expert instruction of Hawai’i Island artist Terry Field, all while enjoying wine and pūpū. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, you’ll be guided every step of the way in this exclusive class, limited to just 12 participants. RSVP today!
Become a Docent at the Isaacs Art Center
As we continue to grow and expand our outreach, we are looking for passionate individuals to join our team of volunteer docents. We are particularly in need of docents on Tuesdays and Thursdays. If you or someone you know has a love for art and education and would like to contribute to our mission, we would be thrilled to have you on board.
This is a unique opportunity to engage with the art and culture of Hawai‘i, connect with our community, and make a meaningful impact.
If you’re interested or know someone who might be, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We would love to discuss how you can be a part of this special endeavor.
Thank you for considering this opportunity to support the Isaacs Art Center and the Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy community.
Isaacs Art Center is free and open to the public, Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, and on Saturdays from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Gallery works for sale may also be viewed on our website. Be sure to also visit our Instagram and Facebook pages for highlights from ongoing exhibitions. Sales from gallery artwork have supported the HPA Financial Aid program since its opening in 2004.
Safety Protocols
Campus Access
During this time, campus access is limited to current students, employees, essential contractors, and approved guests — all of whom have completed a daily thermal/symptom check and a screening questionnaire. Guests to campus will have had their hosting faculty or staff member fill out the appropriate form and will have received permission from their supervisor.
Should a family member of a student need a meeting with a faculty, staff, or administrative team member, kindly contact them so that they can apply to have you come to campus. From that point, security team members will be alerted to your appointment date and time and let you onto campus.
At the Upper School, please do not park and walk onto campus without an appointment. Similarly, at the Village Campus, kindly call or email for an appointment so that arrangements can be made. Mahalo, for your understanding and respect for this process.
If you See Something, Say Something
We ask all families to join HPA in keeping our campus safe. While on the HPA campus, if you see anything out of the ordinary, we ask that you please report it to the school or local authorities immediately. This will help us maintain the safest campus for our students.
- Imminent threat to life or property: call 911 immediately and email Mark Noetzel at mnoetzel@hpa.edu
- Anything out of the ordinary: email Mark Noetzel at mnoetzel@hpa.edu
CrisisGo for Parents
It is important that all families are set up with CrisisGo, HPA’s school emergency communication tool. To set up CrisisGo SMS/Email subscription, please click on this invitation link and complete the form by adding your name, email, and cell number (this is an important step if you would like to receive an SMS message) and click on the Subscribe button. Should an emergency occur, you will be alerted by email and SMS messaging. You can also locate these instructions by logging into myHPA, clicking on the resource tab, and selecting the CrisisGo Safe2SpeakUp tile.
Safe2SPeakUp for Middle and Upper Students
Similarly, Middle and Upper School students received instructions during orientation on how to upload the Safe2SpeakUp app. This is a companion app to CrisisGo. It will allow the school to alert students of emergencies that happen on or off campus and enable students to communicate with us about their safety status. They can also use the app to alert the school about any behaviors they are concerned about. Students can also locate instructions on setting up Safe2SpeakUp in myHPA, and they were also emailed the video shown at orientation which walks them through the process of uploading the app and registering, step-by-step.
All students can also submit an Online Bully/Harassment report by clicking on this link, which can also be located on the CrisisGo Safe2SpeakUp tile on myHPA.
myHPA Resource Boards
Past HPA communications and other important information can be found on myHPA. We are continuing to make updates to our student and parent resource boards, so please be sure to visit them regularly.