Week of 11/22/24
What's Happening at HPA This Week?
Message from the Head of School
Aloha HPA ʻohana,
Mālama kaiāula. Care for our community of spirit, land, and people.
I was moved during our Senior Speaker series this week, as we sat shoulder-to-shoulder in Davies Memorial Chapel. Our Upper school students were all there, as seniors shared messages of gratitude with younger students and faculty supported their effort to stand in front of everyone and speak with clarity. It felt good to look around and see nods and emotion on faces — shared reflections and experiences. As each speaker offered an anecdote or short moment about a teacher or coach or someone who has made a day for them just a little better, you could feel the collective strength of mahalo. These are the moments for me as a leader and parent that ground me in the why and launch me into the sunlight.
I am so thankful for getting to serve in the role I do at HPA. While I continue to stretch and grow into this important work, I regularly wake up inspired and energized by our people, our place, and our mission. This isn’t to say that I always sleep well, or don’t wake up at 3:30 am and pace the floors every now and then. I do. But, it’s all worth it…it’s what I say “thank you” for each day.
Giving and receiving gratitude changes us in the moment, and for the long haul. I got to sit in on a session from one of our Upper School instructors, Aimee Donoho, just this week. Her mini-workshop laid out the science of the brain when feelings of gratitude are expressed. There is so much research rooted in both psychological and physiological science that suggests that thinking and expressing gratitude has positive impacts on our individual well-being and interpersonal relationships. Studies have shown that regular expressions of gratitude can reduce stress, improve sleep quality, and enhance emotional resilience. By focusing on positive aspects of life, gratitude shifts attention away from negativity, fostering a more optimistic outlook. A great way to change the course of our day and the direction of our wellness path. Be thankful and show it.
Self-care is a powerful foundation for the energy and service we can give our community. If we are not healthy we cannot give or receive. Our kids need us to model these behaviors, and just as importantly, to be open and honest about finding this balance of self and community. Let’s lead by example to help them establish sustainable self-care routines — incorporating gratitude into these routines feels like a good path forward.
As we enter a time of exams, performances, holiday busyness, and seasonal transitions, let’s keep a close eye on our young people. Check in and check ‘em out. Hang up to hang out. It will be worth the time to look, listen, and feel where they are in terms of their own development and their own journey.
In closing and in this season of thankfulness and giving, I am excited to celebrate with some of you tomorrow night at Alu Mai – our annual fundraiser supporting Financial Aid. We are so grateful to have the blend of amazing young people across our campuses – a student body that is a result of the generosity of our community. Tomorrow’s event marks our over 50-year focus and commitment to scholarships and financial aid at HPA – a tradition that brings an energy and connection that is indescribable. I’m ready to celebrate with you in the tent and well beyond for this important cause. It is an honor. Mahalo NUI. E Alu Mai!
Lots to be grateful for — health included! Let’s control what we can and take care of one another. Together we are better!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Gratefully,
Fred Wawner
Head of School
School Bulletins for the Week of 11/22/24
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!
As we move closer to the end of the first semester, I am continually inspired by the dynamic energy and commitment of our community. Students are deeply immersed in their learnings and are moving into culminating assessments and projects. Here are some past highlights, and updates for the weeks ahead:
Schools of the Future Conference
This past week, a team of 11 dedicated HPA teachers across all three divisions attended the Schools of the Future Conference on Oʻahu, participating in workshops and meetings focused on best and emerging practices in education across Hawaiʻi. The conference was both affirming and rejuvenating, offering valuable insights into areas such as curriculum development, AI exploration, and universal design for learning.
The experience has left us inspired and invigorated by HPA’s commitment to continuous teacher learning and development in support of our keiki. Our faculty team is now busy collating the resources and ideas we gathered. We look forward to sharing with our entire divisional team to continuously enhance our offerings of exceptional learning opportunities.
Upcoming Events
- Lower and Middle School Makahiki Days – Monday, November 25 & Tuesday, November 26
Our Lower and Middle School students will celebrate Makahiki Days on Monday and Tuesday of next week, coinciding with our observance of Lā Kūʻokoʻa, Hawaiian Independence Day. Kumu Kūwalu and grade-level teachers have shared information connecting to our learning and what students need to bring. Monday is also the last day to bring in your donations for our Student Council-led Lahaina Librairies Coin Campaign. Thank you for giving generously! - ʻOhana Association Park for Coffee – Tuesday, December 3
We’re shifting our ʻOhana Association-led gathering spot to the Parking Shed instead of Ulumau Garden due to a class taking place there. Enjoy coffee with friends and community members (and me!) in this new location during morning drop-off until 8:30 am at the Village Campus. - Waimea Christmas Parade – Saturday, December 7
Don’t miss this beloved community tradition! Visit here for details about the parade, which promises to be a wonderful evening of holiday spirit. More details will follow on how to sign up to walk with the HPA float as our ʻOhana Association and Middle School Principal, Mr. Czervenak, coordinates us. - Wā Pilina ʻOhana Series Workshop – Tuesday, December 10
We have one more Wā Pilina ʻOhana series event coming up before the end of this semester, the History of Parker Ranch presentation. Wā Pilina is an invitation for HPA ʻOhana to learn and connect through moʻolelo, immersive experiences, and stewardship opportunities, guided by Kumu Kūwalu and Waimea kūpuna. All families are invited! - Lower School Holiday Festival – Wednesday, December 11
Let’s gather at the Village Campus for a festive musical and lighting ceremony that brings the magic of the season to life. Our 4th and 5th-grade handbell and chimes choir will be featured! Check out the flyer below for more details. This event replaces our annual holiday chapel event as the space undergoes renovations. Bring your entire ʻohana and a gift for the Hawaiʻi Diaper Bank to celebrate with us at the Village Campus! - Ugly Sweater Day – Thursday, December 12
Village Campus students celebrate the last day of the first semester in style! Wear your best (or worst!) holiday sweater to spread some cheer as we close out the term. - Holiday LEGO Exhibition – Saturday, December 7 – Monday, December 23
We’re excited to invite students to participate in a Holiday LEGO Exhibition at Isaacs Art Center, starting Saturday, December 7, through Monday, December 23. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to showcase their creativity. LEGO creations can be retrieved in January or picked up on Monday, December 23 by 4:00 pm.
Mahalo nui for all you do to make our Lower School community vibrant and engaging. Thank you for being a part of our ʻohana! Let’s finish the semester strong and enjoy the connections and celebrations ahead!
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, November 25.
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
• Thursday, December 5, from 12:30 to 3:00 pm: Ulu Mau Garden Community Work Day, Village Campus
• Tuesday, December 10, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm: Wā Pilina ʻOhana Series History of Parker Ranch presentation
HPA’s Portrait of a Graduate
This year, HPA is focused on defining the skills we want our students to develop by graduation, along with the qualities that create outstanding educators. We value your perspective on this work, and we invite you to share your insights by completing this brief PoG/CPE Survey. Mahalo for helping us enrich the HPA experience for all students.
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!
This week, I want to give a heartfelt shout-out to our incredible Hiki NŌ teaching team: Ms. Sturla, Ms. Monello, and Kumu Kūwalu. Their collaborative efforts over the past few years have created a cross-curricular program that fully engages our 8th graders on the very complex first steps to producing professional-grade PBS documentaries. This past Thursday, our 8th graders had the opportunity to present their video reflections at GPAC, showcasing their hard work and storytelling skills. Great work to the entire team for guiding our students through such a meaningful and impactful experience!
Our Handbell and Pottery students also contributed greatly to the second annual Pinch Pot Harvest Fȇte held on the Village Campus last week. This was a very special event that has grown under the leadership of Ms. Prutow-McKenna to now include our Middle School students. The excellent faculty band also provided some great entertainment for our visitors.
Makahiki Games
This coming week marks one of our most special events on the Village Campus: the Makahiki Games. Our 8th graders have been training diligently as facilitators and leaders to support the Lower Campus Makahiki Games before joining our 6th and 7th graders for their own games on Tuesday. Please ensure your students come prepared for these active days — well-rested, well-nourished, and equipped with water and sunblock. It’s going to be an exciting celebration of Hawaiian culture, teamwork, and sportsmanship!
Mahalo nui for your generous contributions to the advisory Makahiki Baskets this year. You should have received communications from your childʻs advisor on what your family can contribute. These baskets will support families in need during the holidays and reflect HPA Middle School’s deep commitment to community service and making a positive impact.
Thanksgiving Break
A quick reminder: Thanksgiving Break for students begins on Wednesday, November 27, and they will return to school on Tuesday, December 3. We hope this break provides a chance for your family to relax and spend meaningful time together. When we return, we’ll have a couple of short but important weeks to finish the semester before Winter Break. Please pay close attention to teacher comments and reports as we wrap up this busy and productive semester.
Holiday LEGO Exhibition
We’re excited to invite students to participate in a Holiday LEGO Exhibition at Isaacs Art Center, starting Saturday, December 7, through Monday, December 23. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to showcase their creativity. LEGO creations can be retrieved in January or picked up on Monday, December 23 by 4:00 pm.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend and looking forward to seeing your students ready for the exciting days ahead!
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 25.
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
• Thursday, December 5, from 12:30 to 3:00 pm: Ulu Mau Garden Community Work Day, Village Campus
• Tuesday, December 10, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm: Wā Pilina ʻOhana Series History of Parker Ranch presentation
HPA’s Portrait of a Graduate
This year, HPA is focused on defining the skills we want our students to develop by graduation, along with the qualities that create outstanding educators. We value your perspective on this work, and we invite you to share your insights by completing this brief PoG/CPE Survey. Mahalo for helping us enrich the HPA experience for all students.
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,
Please join the 75th anniversary celebration!
The HPA alumni office invites you to contribute to our archive of Ka Makani voices from across campus and around the world! Help us document HPA’s 75th anniversary for the future. Click below to share your thoughts and reflections on HPA with our alumni and Ka Makani who will follow in your footsteps. These archival surveys are very brief. Mahalo nui for sharing your voice!
Final Exam schedule
- All-Class Review Day: Friday, December 6
- Monday, December 9 – A Block (8:30 – 10:30 am) and B Block (12:30 – 2:30 pm) finals
- Tuesday, December 10 – C Block (8:30 – 10:30 am) and D Block (12:30 – 2:30 pm) finals
- Wednesday, December 11 – E Block (8:30 – 10:30 am) and F Block (12:30 – 2:30 pm) finals
- Thursday, December 12 – G Block (8:30 – 10:30 am) and Make-Up Block (12:30 – 2:30 pm) finals
- Winter Break: Friday, December 13 – Monday, January 6
- Second Semester Begins: Tuesday, January 7, 2025
Mahalo,
Mark Noetzel
Assistant Head of School for Upper School
Mahalo to our student photographer, Conor C. ʻ26, who contributed to this week’s photo gallery.
Schedule
Our Upper School 2024-2025 Daily Schedule will resume as an ʻUla day with in-person instruction on our Upper Campus on Monday, November 25.
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
• Wednesday, November 27 to Friday, November 29: Thanksgiving Break, no classes grades K-12
• Thursday, December 5, from 12:30 to 3:00 pm: Ulu Mau Garden Community Work Day, Village Campus
• Tuesday, December 10, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm: Wā Pilina ʻOhana Series History of Parker Ranch presentation
HPA’s Portrait of a Graduate
This year, HPA is focused on defining the skills we want our students to develop by graduation, along with the qualities that create outstanding educators. We value your perspective on this work, and we invite you to share your insights by completing this brief PoG/CPE Survey. Mahalo for helping us enrich the HPA experience for all students.
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
We’re gearing up for our winter season! Here’s the winter athletic schedule and the current fall weekly schedule. GO KA MAKANI! You can also access the athletics schedule on the myHPA calendar.
Student Life
Hoʻonanea, HPA Upper School’s Fall Arts Showcase
HPA’s Upper School Art Department is proud to present Hoʻonanea, our Fall Arts Showcase on Thursday, December 5, 2024! This day-long celebration of art begins with an Open Studio Exhibition in the Gerry Clark Art Center showcasing works from Drawing, Printmaking, Painting, Sculpture and Photography. Please join us at the morning reception where refreshments will be served from 8:30 to 10:00 am! In the afternoon, a performing arts showcase will be held at Gates Performing Arts Center at 4:00 pm featuring works from Acting and Arts Fundamentals- Performing Arts, Instrumental Ensemble, and Musicianship. Then, Join us on Friday, December 6, at 11:30 am for an Instrumental Ensemble Open Rehearsal. Hoʻonanea encompasses everything art does for humanity and means to enjoy, to satisfy, to entertain, to absorb, to pleasure, and to be content. We hope you can attend, enjoy HPA student art, and hoʻonanea pū mai me mākou!
Candy Grams and Holiday Parade
As we are heading into Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks we will be hosting a few Student Life events.
- Monday, December 2, and Tuesday, December 3” The Student Council will be selling Candy Canes Grams.
- They are $2.00 per candy cane. Students may pay with cash or KaMakaniCash.
- All profits go toward future Student Council events.
- Friday, December 6: Candy Cane Grams will be delivered
- ʻOhana Association will host their Annual Holiday Gathering, Ko Kākou Hale (student
union)
- ʻOhana Association will host their Annual Holiday Gathering, Ko Kākou Hale (student
- Saturday, December 7: ʻOhana Association will participate with HPA students in the 64th Annual Waimea Twilight Christmas Parade. More information to come.
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
Thanksgiving Break is right around the corner, and students are getting excited for their various travels, as well as the opportunities on campus during the break! We sent our Ka Makani Travel New York City group off this afternoon, and wish them safe travels! For the students staying on campus for the break, we have also begun sign-ups for the special activities that will be available to them over the holiday weekend — a horseback adventure in Waipiʻo Valley, a manta ray night snorkel, surf lessons, shopping trips in Hilo and Kona, movie nights in Waikoloa, and lots of trips to the beach! With those along with various on-campus activities and the 51st Annual Ka Makani Classic Soccer Tournament — the students on campus will have no shortage of ways to stay busy and engaged!
Travel Reminders
Please be sure to review this important travel reminder as we prepare for upcoming holiday breaks.
Though Winter Break is still a month away, it will come faster than expected — with only seven days of classes before Thanksgiving Break, followed by a week before Final Exams! Here at school, we are reminding the students of the importance of managing their stress levels, taking care of their bodies through nutrition, hydration, exercise, and a regular sleep schedule. We also hope that you were all able to read the residential reports on your child’s myHPA account that were posted this week!
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, December 7 (registration deadline November 22)
ACT Dates – Fall 2024
- 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
Mahalo to everyone who helped spread the word about our HPA Open Houses for all three divisions. We have several additional virtual offerings! If you know families interested in more information, please share this link www.hpa.edu/admissions-center/ for future events being hosted by the HPA Admission Office.
Our application is now open. HPA’s priority application deadline is January 15, 2025. After the priority deadline, applications are welcomed on a rolling basis. For those who are interested in applying for our Residential Life (boarding) program in grades 9-12, the priority application deadline is February 10, 2025.
Advancement & Alumni
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!
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
Park for Coffee – Tuesday, December 3
Please join us for our Park for Coffee event on Tuesday, December 3, from 7:45 to 8:30 am at the Village Campus in the drop-off circle parking shed area. Come and enjoy coffee, donuts, and conversation (bring your own mug!). We look forward to seeing you there!
Wā Pilina ʻOhana Series
Mahalo to those of you who were able to join us for our Puʻukoholā field trip. We have one more Wā Pilina ʻOhana series event coming up before the end of this semester:
History of Parker Ranch presentation
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.
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
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
Holiday LEGO Exhibition
We’re excited to invite students to participate in a Holiday LEGO Exhibition at Isaacs Art Center, starting Saturday, December 7, through Monday, December 23. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to showcase their creativity. LEGO creations can be retrieved in January or picked up on Monday, December 23 by 4:00 pm.
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.