Week of 4/11/25
What's Happening at HPA This Week?
Message from the Head of School
Aloha HPA ʻohana,
Here’s to our teachers.
They are our mission deliverers, our mentors, our protectors, our inspirers, our motivators, our leaders, our wayfinders, and our caregivers. Quite honestly — our heroes!
They know us well, all of our quirks, our potentials, shortcomings, and blindspots. They think about how they can best help us, even when we are not right in front of them. They push us to be better, to stand with integrity, to show respect, to pursue excellence, and to live life with wonder. Carefully balancing the push to make us stronger with the pull to care for our wellbeing.
They keep us safe. Physically, emotionally, and mentally. They don’t put us in a tight spot unless they know we can get ourselves safely out – using skills that they have helped build in us. Yes, they expect us to have done our work, our reading, our extra problems, and our vocabulary. That’s their job. They hold standards that are high enough that we have to jump.
They show up for us. Every day, they are there. Not just in class, but in advisory, class meetings, and assembly. And then again at lunch, after school, and at our games and performances. They watch, they cheer, they support — heck, sometimes they even drive us to our events. When we don’t show up, they still do. They ask us where we are, how we are doing, and what we need.
They feel for us. They care. They patiently and anxiously watch us knowing when we are ready to perform, surfing the waves of both the thrills of success and the agonies of defeat. Selflessly wanting to remove us from anything that will harm us, but knowing the journey to better ourselves involves the necessary trials and tribulations.
They teach us through well-designed and thought-out curriculum, but also through connections and considerations to real, tangible experiences. They are prepared and model this preparation. We ultimately imitate this behavior, and by training, become prepared. They share their knowledge, their thinking, their research, and their experiences. They pour into us not just critical information, but skills that will become useful and necessary to be the folks we want to become.
They drive us. Literally and figuratively to be better. Heluhelu quiz bowls (way to go, Ms Frizzle!), Hiki NŌ documentaries, volcano excursions, beach clean-ups, garden harvests, away games, science fairs, Waimanu hikes, and back and forth to town. They are with us when we are up, and they stay by our side when we are down.
They believe in HPA’s mission and bring it to life. They believe in the difference they make. They believe in us.
“Better than a thousand days of diligent study is one day with a great teacher“. – Japanese proverb
Mahalo nui to all the incredible teachers here at HPA, past and present, and beyond! May we all have the opportunity to express appreciation for those great teachers who have influenced our lives for the better!
Happy Aloha Friday!
Gratefully,
Fred Wawner
Head of School
School Bulletins for the Week of 4/11/25
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!
Spring is in the air at our Village Campus, and the pursuit of excellence, wonder, and meaningful connection across our grades continues to fill our days with joy. This past week was especially rich in pilina (relationship-building), student-led initiatives, and cultural connection — and we’re thrilled to share a few highlights with you!
2nd Annual Keiki Olympics Wā Pilina — Connection, Leadership, and Fun!
Yesterday, our campus vibrated with laughter, teamwork, and cross-age connection during the second annual Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd Grades’ Keiki Olympics — a joyful afternoon for our K–2 students led by our 7th graders, Middle School Art Teacher, Ali Marchildon, and fellow 7th-grade teachers.
This Wā Pilina event was created to build and strengthen relationships between our younger students, older students, and the teachers who guide them. With our 7th graders at the helm, keiki enjoyed a range of fun, active stations, including egg-and-spoon races, tin can bowling, water balloon tosses, frisbee golf, and more. It was a beautiful example of leadership in action — and pilina in motion.
To close the celebration, every child received a blue marble — a symbol of our connection to water and one another. As part of the Blue Mind/Blue Marble game, each marble comes with just one rule: you have to give it away — to someone you’re grateful for, someone doing their part to care for the planet, in big or small ways. The goal? That one blue marble touches the hand of every human on Earth.
And, of course, — we wrapped it all up with ice cream sandwiches, the perfect sweet ending to a meaningful and memorable afternoon of connection and collaboration. Mahalo, 7th grade!
Heluhelu Quiz Bowl — Congratulations!
We are so proud of our 4th and 5th grade Heluhelu Quiz Bowl participants who have been reading, studying, and preparing all year long. Our teams, Ka Makani’s Wish, and Ka Makani Mapmakers, read 30 books together and competed in a lively contest this past Thursday at Kamehameha School at Keaʻau alongside fellow island schools to test their knowledge.
A special congratulations to Team Ka Makani’s Wish, who placed third overall — an incredible accomplishment! Mahalo to all of our readers who showed dedication, teamwork, and a true love of literature. A super special shoutout to Mrs. Kristin Tarnas, K-8 Librarian, for supporting our readers all year long, along with our dedicated group of parent volunteers. You are all champions!
Lā Mauloa — A Day of Cultural Connection (Friday, April 18)
After being postponed due to January’s storm, we are thrilled about our new date for Lā Mauloa, now happening on Friday, April 18, here at the Village Campus!
This special day honors Mauloa: Hawaiʻi Island’s first traditionally-built canoe, created entirely through ancient protocols. Students in grades K–5 will:
- Learn the story and significance of Mauloa
- Meet and learn from her crew
- Reflect on Mālama Kaiāulu (caring for our community) by engaging in Kuleana, Pilina, Lōkahi, and Haʻina
Led by Kumu Kūwalu and community practitioners, this immersive experience will help students connect with Hawaiʻi’s deep traditions of voyaging, stewardship, and cultural legacy.
Please note: Lā Mauloa is a regular school day, and all students in grades K–5 will participate. Wear your HPA red!
May Day is Coming — We Need Your Help!
Preparations for our beloved May Day celebration are underway! As always, we welcome and appreciate our parent and caregiver community’s support in making this a beautiful event for our students.
Please consider signing up to help here: [Volunteer Sign-Up Sheet – May Day 2025]
Mahalo nui for all the ways you show up for our campus and our keiki. Whether it’s cheering on egg-and-spoon racers, reading 30 books with your child, or supporting our place-based learning — your presence and partnership make this community stronger every day.
Me ke aloha pumehana,
Dora Kwong
Lower School Principal
We are proudly marking 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.
Schedule
Our K-5 classes continue with in-person instruction on our Village Campus on Monday, April 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
• Wednesday, April 30: ʻOhana Lei-making in preparation for May Day, VC Classrooms
• Thursday, May 1: ʻOhana May Day Stage Decorating, GPAC
• Friday, May 2: K-5 May Day performance; GPAC
• Monday, May 5: K-8 Faculty Work Day, no classes grades K-8
• Tuesday, May 13 from 12:30 to 3:00 pm: HPA Garden Community Work Day; Village Campus, Ulu Mau Garden
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.
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.
Summer at HPA
Ka Makani Keiki Camp
Lock in your summer plans! Open to grades K-5 — limited spots available!
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,
At the end of the day, I’m a teacher at heart. I feel incredibly fortunate to have begun my teaching journey right here on Hawaiʻi Island at Honokaʻa Intermediate in 2007, later serving at Kohala High and Kealakehe Intermediate. Though my foundation is in English, I also had the opportunity to teach Automation and Robotics and Theater—both here and in schools abroad, including Shanghai and Colorado.
What stayed with me through all of those experiences was this: the most powerful gift for students and teachers alike is focused, sustained learning—the kind that happens when momentum builds over consecutive weeks of deep engagement. In my classroom visits over the past several days, I’ve been inspired to see our students in exactly that state—fully immersed in their learning across disciplines.
In a world filled with constant distractions, the classroom offers something rare and valuable: a space where students can simply be learners. Whether they are crafting original scripts in Performing Arts, developing organized, thoughtful writing in English and Social Studies, or tackling the revision process in Math, the coming weeks represent a time for meaningful growth through productive academic struggle. It is during this stretch that the value of the Pursuit of Excellence takes the lead for our students and teachers.
One such moment of excellence is just around the corner. On Wednesday, April 16, our 8th-grade students will present their capstone projects, the culminating demonstration of months of research, reflection, and sustained effort. Each Middle School student will engage with the capstone experience in some way—either as an audience member or as a participant in dialogue around the presentations. These experiences are key milestones that help shape how our students see themselves as learners, leaders, and contributors to our broader community.
Thank you, as always, for supporting our students during this meaningful stretch of the school year. Let’s continue to cheer them on as they dig deep, stay curious, and strive for excellence.
Aloha always,
Michael Cservenak
Middle School Principal
We are proudly marking 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.
Schedule
Our Middle School 2024-2025 Daily Schedule continues with in-person instruction on our Village Campus on Monday, April 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, April 16: Middle School capstone presentations
• Thursday, April 17 & Friday, April 18: Upper School Capstone presentations
• Saturday, April 26: 8th-grade Dinner Dance; Anna Ranch
• Friday, May 2: Lower School May Day celebration; GPAC
• Monday, May 5: K-8 Faculty Work Day, no classes grades K-8
• Tuesday, May 13 from 12:30 to 3:00 pm: HPA Garden Community Work Day; Village Campus, Ulu Mau Garden
• Wednesday, May 21: 8th-grade Transition Ceremony & the last day of classes
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: Spring term, February 10 – May 16, 2025
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.
Summer at HPA
Summer Academies at HPA
Do you have a passion you want to pursue this summer? Our specialized four-week academies are designed for day and boarding middle and high school students.
Upper School
Each week, our Upper School leadership team provides valuable insight about campus culture while sharing updates with 9-12 students and parents on academics, athletics, and arts, and what day and residential families can expect throughout the semester.
From the desk of your Upper School leadership team
Aloha Upper School families,
We are thrilled to invite you to one of the most meaningful and memorable events of the academic year—the Haʻina Senior Capstone Showcase & Presentations, happening on Thursday, April 17, and Friday, April 18!
This culminating event is a celebration of our seniors’ journeys—highlighting their hard work, passions, and personal growth through a wide range of creative, academic, and hands-on projects. It’s a time for our students to shine, and we hope you’ll join us in honoring their accomplishments.
What Is the Haʻina Senior Capstone Showcase?
The Haʻina Senior Capstone is the final chapter in our seniors’ HPA experience—where they step into the role of researcher, innovator, creator, and leader. Over the course of the year, each student has pursued a personal passion project, and this showcase gives them the opportunity to present their work to peers, teachers, families, and the greater HPA community.
This year’s showcase features:
- Two days of celebration with focused, engaging presentations
- Student-led talks, performances, films, workshops, and exhibitions
- 11 featured presentations on the Gates Performing Arts Center main stage, live-streamed and attended by the entire Upper School
- Campus-wide presentations at locations such as Castle Lecture Hall, Gerry Clark Art Center, Kennedy Square Classroom, Dyer Library, Energy Lab, Gates Performing Arts Center, and Ulu Mālama Garden, recorded and shared out in the following week
- A Senior Capstone Market & Exhibition open throughout both days in Kō Kākou Hale (Student Union)
Why This Matters to You
This isn’t just an academic requirement—it’s a celebration of identity, discovery, and voice. Our seniors have invested deeply in this journey. We invite you to come witness their dedication and celebrate their growth alongside faculty, mentors, peers, and community members. Your support and presence means everything. It reinforces to our students that their work is valued, that their voices matter, and that their community stands behind them.
Event Highlights for Class of 2025 Guests
- Thursday, April 17, and Friday, April 18 Program & Schedule
- Location: HPA Upper School Campus
- Main Stage Livestreams: Watch the featured presentations on the HPA YouTube channel
- Food Trucks at Kennedy Square: Grab a bite while enjoying the day’s events
- Recorded Presentations: These will be shared with everyone afterwards
This year, we have selected 11 seniors to present their capstone projects on stage in the Gates Performing Arts Center (GPAC). All students, grades 9-12, will attend these keynote presentations on both days, and we will have limited seating for the families and mentors of the keynote presenters available as well. In addition, we are offering a live stream on our HPA YouTube channel. We have included links for each of the sessions that will be live-streamed below.
Day 1: Thursday, April 17, 8:30 – 9:40 am
Day 1: Thursday, April 17, 1:50 – 3:00 pm
Day 2: Friday, April 18, 8:30 – 9:40 am
Day 2: Friday, April 18, 1:50 – 3:00 pm
We’re proud of what our seniors have accomplished, and even more excited to share their journeys with you. Mahalo for being a part of this special moment as we lift up the voices and visions of our graduating class. We can’t wait to celebrate with you.
E hoʻomaikaʻi e ka papa 2025!
Mahalo,
Pualani Lincoln Maielua ‘01
Senior Class Dean and Upper School Capstone Coordinator
This summer’s Nalukai Academy program deadline has been extended to Monday, April 21. If you are looking for an immersive social and cultural entrepreneurship experience, please apply — there’s still time!
This year, Nalukai Academy will be held at the Liliʻuokalani Center youth development hub in Honolulu from Friday, June 20 – Sunday, June 29. Through a partnership with Liliʻuokalani Trust, Hawai’i high school students statewide have the opportunity to attend this Congressionally-recognized youth entrepreneurship camp at no cost.
- Nalukai Academy Summer program website
- Printable Flyers and Social Media Images (incl. ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi)
- Summer ’25 Student Application
- Summer ’25 Recommendation Form
- What’s Nalukai? an Instagram Reel with Summer ’24 student reflections
- Video Invitation to Apply from Nalukai ED, Kirstin Kahaloa
We are proudly marking 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.
Schedule
Our Upper School 2024-2025 Daily Schedule will resume as an ʻUla day with in-person instruction on our Upper Campus on Monday, April 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
• Thursday, April 17 & Friday, April 18: Senior capstone presentations
• Saturday, April 19: Senior Prom at the Four Seasons Hualalai
• Thursday, April 24: Upper School tour of rising 9th-graders from the Village Campus
• Friday, April 25: US Faculty Work Day, no classes grades 9-12
• Monday, May 5 to Friday, May 16: AP Exams
• Saturday, May 10 to Friday, May 16: International Science Fair; Ohio
• Monday, May 12: Upper School Awards Ceremony; GPAC
• Tuesday, May 13: All Classes Final Exam Review Day, grades 9-12
• Tuesday, May 13 from 12:30 to 3:00 pm: HPA Garden Community Work Day; Village Campus, Ulu Mau Garden
• Thursday, May 15 – Wednesday, May 21: Upper School Final Exams
• Thursday, May 22: Class of 2025 Baccalaureate Service; Davies Memorial Chapel (ticketed event)
• Friday, May 23: Class of 2025 Commencement Ceremony; Castle Gymnasium (ticketed event)
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
Senior Prom Dress Donations
Every year we loan out dresses to offset the cost of prom season. If you have any dresses that you are no longer using, please consider donating them to HPA. All next week we will have students trying on dresses. Please reach out to Liz Watson at lwatson@hpa.edu or drop off the dress(es) to the Student Life office.
Student Council Elections
HPA is pleased to announce the student body President, Carlyle Collinson, and Vice President, Charlie Chen for the 2025-2026 academic year!
Students are currently voting for their next Class Representative; speeches and voting will occur on Tuesday for Secretary & Treasurer. Election speeches and voting for the next Executive Dorm Representative will occur on April 21, 2025.
Senior Privileges
If you are a senior parent and you have not already completed the senior privileges permission form in myHPA, please log into myHPA, and if it has not been completed, you will see a yellow bar at the top of the screen with blue writing, please click on that to complete the form – only one signature needed.
Ka Makani Athletics
Spring season is here! Check out the latest Spring Sports Athletics calendar here and our updated weekly schedule. You can also access the athletics schedule on the myHPA calendar. Go KA MAKANI!
Ka Makani Travel
Ka Makani Travel, HPA’s student travel program, is offering
- Spring Break 2026 – The Alps and the Mediterranean Coast with EF Tours: March 2026, $200 early booking discount applied
Scholarships are available from EF’s Global Citizen Scholarship Fund. The deadline to apply for a scholarship with EF is August 12, 2025. You must be enrolled in an EF Tour to apply.
Please contact Ka Makani Travel Coordinator Adrienne White (awhite@hpa.edu) for information on registration, eligibility, and travel grants.
Hele-On Bus Passengers – Shuttle from Village Campus to Upper Campus
For students who take the late bus, the shuttle will be parked at the bus stop just past the Waiaka Bridge on Kawaihae Road by 8:20 am. For questions or more information, you can contact Auxiliary Services at 808-881-4041 or email auxiliary@hpa.edu.
Day Student Attendance Protocols
A parent or guardian must email attendance@hpa.edu before 9:00 am if they need to excuse their child for that day. Please note that students will only be excused for appointments or family or medical reasons. Unexcused absences will result in conduct points which can result in the student being restricted to campus for boarding and/or ineligible for academic awards, i.e. the Dean’s List. Students are responsible for checking their conduct points and attendance records and should reach out as soon as possible if there are any errors.
For long-term absences, please also reach out to the Upper School Office and the student’s advisor to coordinate a plan for the missing classes.
If a day student is ill, please do not send them to school, but email attendance@hpa.edu and include Health Services (infirmary@hpa.edu), and a nurse will follow up with the proper return-to-class procedure. If a student already on campus begins to feel ill, they must report to the infirmary, where the nurses will take care of them. If a student fails to do so and is absent to a class, the absence will be unexcused.
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.
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)
Class of 2025 – Seniors and families
Aloha e nā ʻohana 2025! Class of 2025 seniors and families, we are so excited to celebrate your upcoming graduation from Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy. The Class of 2025 Commencement Ceremony is scheduled for Friday, May 23, 2025, at 10:00 am in Castle Gymnasium, and there are many other end-of-year milestones to celebrate before then, as well.
We have recorded a presentation covering the important end-of-year events HPA has planned for the Class of 2025.
Please also be sure to visit the “Upper School End-of-Year Events” Resource Board on myHPA, which will be updated over the next several months with new details.
We are thrilled to celebrate all of the achievements of the Class of 2025, including their culminating event — graduation!! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at graduation@hpa.edu.
E hoʻomaikaʻi kākou!
Links:
Class of 2025 Commencement & End-of-Year Events presentation
Upper School End-of-Year Events Resource Board
College Counseling
Next Steps for Seniors: Committing to College
By now seniors should have received decisions from all of the colleges they applied to. Here are the next steps:
- Once a student has decided which college to attend, they should indicate their college of choice by marking it as “Enrolling” in their college list in Scoir. They must also complete the college’s enrollment process by May 1, including paying any applicable deposits.
- Seniors should update their admissions results for ALL of the colleges they have applied to in Scoir. College Counseling aggregates this anonymous data to benefit future Ka Makani in predict their chances of admission at individual schools.
- If you have any questions, or you’d like help weighing your options or interpreting your financial aid packages, please come see us. We’re here to help!
- Remember: May 1 is the universal reply deadline to make your final decision and submit your deposit.
Next Steps for Juniors
Schedule Your Third Individual Meeting
Mr. Kelsey and Mrs. Montgomery are available for individual meetings. Please click below to select a 30-minute time slot for an individual appointment with your assigned counselor. All meetings should be scheduled during free periods and will be in the College Counseling Center.
If you need any help with scheduling appointments, please contact us directly at college@hpa.edu.
Complete Self-Input and Parent/Guardian-Input Forms
Juniors and their Parents/Guardians are requested to complete these two forms by the end of the Spring Semester. These input forms are used by our college counselors to assist in writing the counselor letter for college applications in the senior year. The specific details and insights shared in these input forms are always very helpful.
Driver Education
Students who are 15½ through 17 years old must meet stringent requirements to obtain a driver’s license in the state of Hawaiʻi. One of the major requirements is completing a state-certified driver education course and road time with both a certified driving instructor and parents before getting a license.
This course is offered to students with a valid (current) Hawaiʻi learner permit. The course includes 6 hours of “behind-the-wheel” practice driving sessions with the instructor, to be scheduled outside of class time. There is a mandatory Parent & Student Orientation on Saturday before the class begins, June 1, 9:00 to 10:30 am. 50 hours of driving time with a parent/guardian (including 10 hours of night driving) will be required before a minor (under 18) may apply for a Hawaiʻi Driver’s License. After 50 hours, the parent/guardian must submit a notarized statement to the teacher to receive the final certificate for this course. Certificates cannot be issued until 6 weeks after the beginning of the course, July 15.
Dates: June 2-13
Ages: 15 1/2 – 17
Times: 9:00 am to 12:30 pm
Cost: $550
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’.
HPA Today
Summer Academies at HPA
Do you have a passion you want to pursue this summer? Our specialized four-week academies are designed for day and boarding middle and high school students.
All-School
Need to know information for our entire Ka Makani ʻohana.
Advancement
Internship Opportunity: HPA Sustainable Agriculture and Community Outreach
The school is seeking applications for two interns for the Sustainable Agriculture and Community Outreach program. Successful candidates will apprentice at Ulu Mālama Terrace Farm and the Ulumau Garden at the HPA Upper Campus and Village Campus respectively. Interns will serve as our community food outreach coordinator; connecting the school gardens to our Waimea community.
Summer at HPA
Summer at HPA registration is open. Visit the Summer at HPA New Enrollment form to register for summer enrichment camps, swimming lessons, Ka Makani Keiki Camp, or Summer Academies.
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
Next up in our Wā Pilina ʻOhana Series is a lau niu basket-weaving workshop on Tuesday, April 15, with Umi Cabrera-Zuke, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm.
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
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.