Week of 11/1/24
What's Happening at HPA This Week?
Message from the Head of School
Aloha HPA ʻohana,
This time in our Fall season brings to stage, field, and court Ka Makani culmination and championships!! We have prepared and it’s time to show what we’ve got!
Over on Oʻahu and Maui, the bright lights and big moments that are created for our athletic participants in Hawaiʻi league and state championships parallel the intentionality of other academic curricular and real-life challenges that prepare our students so well for later in life. Whether it’s class projects, standardized testing, on-stage musical or drama performances, or state races and volleyball matches the process is the same: preparation, determination, resilience — the pursuit of excellence.
It is important for our young people to feel setbacks, injuries, failures, and challenges like test anxiety, pre-game jitters, and difficult, hard to master content. These moments serve as critical opportunities for developmental growth, fostering resilience and self-reflection. Our teachers and coaches emphasize progress over perfection, helping students realize that the pursuit of excellence is not about winning every time but about continuous improvement. Over time, these experiences develop the qualities that hold the greatest value — effort, self-discipline, openness to change, self-confidence — character traits that extend far beyond the final score or test result.
This week and over and over again this year, our students will be putting themselves out there, reaching, learning and growing, sometimes in packed arenas, sometimes on TV, and sometimes quietly working on a homework problem. In all pursuits, the brightest lights often illuminate the moments of struggle, and through these moments, true excellence is born.
I want to close this week’s letter by paying proper attention to next week’s elections. An earlier message in this space in September is even more relevant this coming week. National and local elections carry great importance for civic engagement. As a K-12 educational institution we carry a responsibility to use these moments in history as learning opportunities. We also look to our Core Values — respect, integrity, pursuit of excellence, and wonder— to provide the foundation for engaging in thoughtful conversations about democracy while embodying the spirit of aloha in all we do. This moment offers an opportunity to discuss with students the importance of voting, community involvement, and thoughtful reflection on the issues that shape our shared future.
Central to both aloha and the HPA value of respect is the idea of honoring diverse perspectives. Elections, at their best, should reflect the respectful exchange of ideas, even when people disagree. We will have the opportunity to model this with our students. Fostering understanding, empathy, and connection, we encourage students to listen actively and engage civilly with those whose views may differ from their own. The time is now to act with aloha, cultivating the capacity to engage in dialogue that respects both individual dignity and the common good.
Thank you for your shared commitment to our students and their work, and for supporting their culminating stages and championing the championships. We celebrate compassion and empathy, hard efforts and grit. We model citizenship and integrity. I am honored to lead with aloha and share in this space with each of you, as parents and community contributors.
Mahalo for your engagement and connections to this place and each other.
Have a great weekend!
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 11/1/24
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!
What a fantastic week we’ve shared here at Lower School! First, a big mahalo nui loa to our incredible ʻOhana Association for all the tremendous work organizing, setting up, and breaking down for our Halloween parade event through the Middle School classes. It was such a joy to see the campus buzzing with creativity and fun—thank you for helping make it all possible! We are so appreciative of all our parent volunteers who made this afternoon event possible, creating long-lasting memories for all of our keiki. A special shout-out also goes to our 5th graders who performed their rendition of Thriller once again, this time for our Middle School community!
Thank you to everyone who joined us for Parent-teacher Conferences yesterday and today. It’s always a pleasure connecting with each of you to discuss your child’s progress and share in their successes. Your support means so much to us and to your children’s growth and well-being. As we continue through the semester, each day is important to their learning and we thank you for prioritizing our in-school days before the Thanksgiving and winter holiday breaks.
This week’s Spirit Week brought much energy and enthusiasm to campus! From our culture day celebrating diverse backgrounds, to “Whole Class Day,” where students showed off their class spirit (whether it was through matching t-shirts, Skittles outfits, sports themes, occupational attire, or our “Kinder-Gardeners!”), and of course, Halloween Costume Day to wrap it all up in style. Each day highlighted the spirit and joy in our learning community.
Our Lower School Student Council deserves a special mention for their dedication to making Spirit Week a success. They are continuing their hard work with the launch of the Lahaina Libraries Coin Campaign. This coin drive is an opportunity for our community to give back during this season of gratitude. All funds collected will go directly to support libraries affected by last summer’s fires in Lahaina. Please consider joining us in supporting this meaningful student-initiated endeavor. You can send spare change with your child to school starting Monday, November 5, through Monday, November 25.
Lastly, be sure to check out our first quarter Specialist teacher newsletters, which will continue to be shared through the Seesaw for Schools app as well as on the Lower School Specialist page on myHPA. These updates give you a peek into the exciting projects and lessons happening in garden, counseling, music, edtech, and more.
Mahalo for a wonderful week and for being a part of this amazing community!
Mahalo,
Dora Kwong
Lower School Principal
Schedule
Our K-5 classes continue with in-person instruction on our Village Campus on Monday, November 4.
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
• Wednesday, November 27 to Friday, November 29: Thanksgiving Break, no classes grades K-12
• Monday, December 2: Lower and Middle Schools Faculty Work Day, no classes grades K-8
Grade the Grub!
Please fill out this survey to help HPA and Flik provide the best food service possible. Mahalo!
Financial Aid at HPA
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.
HPA Scholarships for 2025-26 School Year Now Open
In addition to Financial Aid, HPA is able to offer very limited scholarship opportunities for students in grades 9-12: The Kūlia Scholarship, The HPA Faculty Big Island Scholarship, and The Hoʻomau Scholarship. Eligibility requirements, details, and deadlines are available on the HPA website: .https://www.hpa.edu/special-scholarships/.
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,
I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our school community for making Spirit Week and Parent-teacher Conferences such meaningful events. Your support and enthusiasm truly bring our campus to life. A special shoutout to our incredible ‘Ohana Association for transforming our campus with festive decorations and creating a fun-filled afternoon for our Middle School students. Seeing the Lower School students parade through our campus, culminating in an amazing performance by our fifth graders on the school lānai, was a joyful highlight for everyone.
We now have just 17 instructional days before our Thanksgiving Break. These are among the most critical learning days in our first semester, and they’re a time when we focus deeply on academic progress. While we understand that illness can sometimes prevent attendance, regular presence is vital at HPA Middle School, where hands-on, in-person instruction is central to our learning experience. Being present each day is essential for students to meet and surpass our academic expectations, and your support in prioritizing consistent attendance is deeply appreciated.
I also want to emphasize the importance of the upcoming Makahiki Games to our students’ learning experience. As a culminating event in our school calendar, the Makahiki Games represent far more than a regular field day; they are a testament to our commitment to “honoring the traditions of Hawaiʻi.” This event is a powerful learning and leadership opportunity for our Middle Schoolers, allowing them to engage in meaningful traditions that define our community values. To the degree possible, please plan vacations and appointments around the instructional calendar to ensure your child doesn’t miss out on these pivotal moments with our dedicated teachers and classmates.
Lastly, keep an eye out for our upcoming call for food donations to contribute to our Makahiki baskets. This annual drive supports families in our community and reflects our shared values of generosity and togetherness as we approach the Thanksgiving season.
Thank you once again for your continued support and partnership.
Me ka mahalo nui,
Michael Cservenak
Middle School Principal
Schedule
Our Middle School 2024-2025 Daily Schedule continues with in-person instruction on our Village Campus on Monday, November 4.
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, November 27 to Friday, November 29: Thanksgiving Break, no classes grades K-12
• Monday, December 2: Lower and Middle Schools Faculty Work Day, no classes grades K-8
Grade the Grub!
Please fill out this survey to help HPA and Flik provide the best food service possible. Mahalo!
Financial Aid at HPA
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.
HPA Scholarships for 2025-26 School Year Now Open
In addition to Financial Aid, HPA is able to offer very limited scholarship opportunities for students in grades 9-12: The Kūlia Scholarship, The HPA Faculty Big Island Scholarship, and The Hoʻomau Scholarship. Eligibility requirements, details, and deadlines are available on the HPA website: .https://www.hpa.edu/special-scholarships/.
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,
I wish to extend a warm and sincere mahalo to our ʻOhana Association for their collaboration with the HPA Upper School Student Council to put on this year’s Haunted Walk. Specifically, Annette Hodges and her entire network of parents who were there to support the walk and host the Trunk-or-Treat.
Additionally, we appreciate the effort of all the seniors who were the designated “Scare Zone” creators and the support of the HPA Advancement office to ensure greater event success. Our Student Council, with their executive officers, President Lily Hodges, Vice President Zane Van Natta, Treasurer Matty Inaba, and Secretary Ella Forrest, also led the spirit charge this past week as well. Thank you!
As we enter the final weeks of the first semester, we encourage families to reach out directly to their child’s advisor and teachers should they have any questions or concerns about upcoming commitments. Final exams and project weeks quickly follow our Thanksgiving break, so it is important for students to stay ahead of their assignments from this point forward.
I would also like to echo the sentiments of our Head of School as it applies to next week’s election and the importance of maintaining HPA’s Core Values.
Integrity is especially relevant during this electoral season, as students learn to evaluate information critically, seek truth amid misinformation, and align their actions with their values. At HPA, we teach students that integrity extends beyond the ballot box—it’s about acting with authenticity, whether on campus, in our local community, or on a national stage.
The pursuit of excellence and wonder remind us that elections are not endpoints but part of an ongoing journey of growth, both as individuals and as a society. We encourage students to approach civic life with curiosity, asking meaningful questions about how leaders can serve their communities and how they, too, can contribute to positive change. Whether engaging in classroom discussions, volunteering in local initiatives, or following election outcomes, our students learn that participation is essential to building a just and vibrant community. Through these experiences, we fulfill our mission to cultivate informed, compassionate citizens who lead with both excellence and aloha.
I’m pleased to share these helpful resources from our partners at the National Association for Independent Schools (NAIS):
Practicing Civil Discourse and Communicating About Contentious Issues
• Constructive Conflict (Beyond Intractability)
This foundational 2019 article defines civility in public and private discourse.
• Resources for Bridging Divides (Living Room Conversations)
Tools to help you increase understanding, including conversation agreements.
• Conversation Simulator: Navigating Difficult Conversations (Constructive Dialogue Institute)
Free resources to guide you through three science-backed steps to navigate difficult conversations.
Mahalo for supporting us in this effort and helping to empower our students during this invaluable learning experience in their lives.
Mahalo,
Mark Noetzel
Assistant Head of School for Upper School
Schedule
As a reminder, Monday, November 4, is an Upper School Faculty Work Day, and there are no classes for grades 9-12.
Our Upper School 2024-2025 Daily Schedule will resume as an ʻUla day with in-person instruction on our Upper Campus on Tuesday, November 5.
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
• Monday, November 4: Upper School Faculty Work Day, no classes grades 9-12
• Wednesday, November 27 to Friday, November 29: Thanksgiving Break, no classes grades K-12
Grade the Grub!
Please fill out this survey to help HPA and Flik provide the best food service possible. Mahalo!
Financial Aid at HPA
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.
HPA Scholarships for 2025-26 School Year Now Open
In addition to Financial Aid, HPA is able to offer very limited scholarship opportunities for students in grades 9-12: The Kūlia Scholarship, The HPA Faculty Big Island Scholarship, and The Hoʻomau Scholarship. Eligibility requirements, details, and deadlines are available on the HPA website: .https://www.hpa.edu/special-scholarships/.
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
GO KA MAKANI! You can also access the athletics schedule on the myHPA calendar.
Student Life
After a successful Haunted Walk and Spirit Week, next up for our student is Shrek the Musical at GPAC this November! Fall in love all ogre again with this family-friendly musical tale. Performances are November 7, 8, and 9 at 7:00 pm and November 10 at 2:00 pm.
Tickets are free for HPA students & staff.
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: Last call for Spring Break in Japan!
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 → March 2026, $400 early booking discount applied, available for enrollments before November 15, 2024
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
This week has abounded with Halloween celebration and school spirit! Last weekend, we had the pleasure of sending off our fall athletic teams with their last home games of the season, and followed it up with the annual Haunted Walk put on by our senior class students and the ʻOhana Association. This week, through the midst of our Upper School Spirit Week, we have also had a Halloween-themed Open Dorm party at Robertson, and on-campus trick-or-treating on Thursday, along with wearing their costumes to school all day.
With Spirit Week behind us, we turn our attention to the remainder of the semester, which is still full of great opportunities to have fun and connect as a community, but also brings Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks, along with final exams. For those still figuring out their child’s plans for Thanksgiving Break, know that many students will remain on campus for the break, and take advantage of a variety of different special activities over those five days, and take the opportunity to brush up on their school work before final exams arrive shortly thereafter. If your child does travel or otherwise leave campus for the break, please remember that students may only sign out to the care of a present, and supervising adult. HPA defines an adult as someone 25 years of age or older. Students may not sign out to hotels, AirBnB’s, or other accommodations without an adult host, even with parent permission. We appreciate your support in maintaining this policy as we seek to ensure the safety of all of our students over the break.
Travel Reminders
Please be sure to review this important travel reminder as we prepare for upcoming holiday 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
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, 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
HPA Open Houses for all three divisions are a wonderful opportunity to learn more about becoming a part of the Ka Makani ʻohana. Please spread the word to your friends and family who are interested and encourage them to attend!
Lower School, November 6, 2:30 to 4:00 pm
Upper School, November 11, 8:30 am to 12:00 pm
Middle School, November 13, 2:30 to 4:00 pm
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
Wā Pilina ʻOhana Series
Join Alia Cabrera Zuke and Brynly Brown on Thursday, November 7, as they guide us in the practice of making ti leaf lei. Ti leaf lei are often made as a gift and offering when we visit special and sacred places, or wahi pana. This practice will deepen your connection with the land, people and culture of Waimea and Hawaiʻi. Please sign up here to attend.
Wā Pilina is an invitation for HPA ‘Ohana to learn and connect through mo’olelo, immersive experiences and stewardship opportunities, guided by Kumu Kūwalu and Waimea kūpuna.z
Through attending the Wā Pilina series, HPA parents will:
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Share in learning of their children about Hawaiian culture and place
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Visit and connect to the special places within and surrounding Waimea in a manner that is rooted in respect
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Learn the history of Waimea and Hawai’i
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Connect with other HPA parents and the wider community
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Develop the skills and practices to integrate more deeply in the community
Please be sure to also sign up for the following upcoming Wā Pilina ʻOhana series events:
Experience Puʻukoholā field trip
History of Parker Ranch presentation
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.