Week of 4/25/25
What's Happening at HPA This Week?
Message from the Head of School
Aloha HPA ʻohana,
Take a walk with me.
In many ways these last days of April are the final build up to culminating academic, athletic and social events. At what feels like the speed of light — each day is different, but with the commonality of determined dashes, completing tasks, finalizing assessments, and then scrambling off to the next project, grade, or milestone. So indulge me as I downshift gears and take a moment to slow it down and retrace my steps from an action-packed last several days that capture all the magic, movement, and mana that exists within our HPA community.
Tuesday:
I popped in to our Isaacs Art Center to take in our Wā Pilina art exhibits highlighting multiple artists from the collaborative perspectives of our first and fourth graders. Creativity and color come alive in this space!
Wednesday:
I slid in to experience some impressive capstone project presentations from our eighth graders. Each presenter stood and delivered with care and confidence. That adds two more C’s to our four C’s of communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking. These crowning projects represent a myriad of passions and ideas brought to life after trial, error, and success. To see our middle schoolers at the end of their journey, standing tall to explain their thinking and showcase their final product is exactly what the process of capstone is designed to do for our students.
Thursday:
Now it was our seniors’ time to shine at our Haʻina Capstone Showcase. 91 students, 11 different fields of study, 6 different presentation spaces across campus and countless hours of effort — all adding up to an extraordinary display of talent, grit, and determination. From the creation of an original nine track album to a full school simulation on nuclear diplomacy, add in coral reef preservation and sustainable ranching projects with a fully operating student-run cafe in Ko Kākou Hale — and you get a little taste of how exceptional our students are. Each presentation underscored the power of project-based learning to change and enrich our students, our school, and our community. Truly fantastic!
Friday:
Back to the Village campus to see the magic of the year-long voyaging waʻa curriculum continue. This time with the Lā Mauloa. This community-based mentorship opportunity with cultural practitioners was so powerful. Kumu Kūwalu and our K-5 teachers had our students ready for the day with chants, background knowledge, and loaded with energy to learn from our local heroes. The story of the tree selection process was made that much more special by participation from members of our own HPA alum along with a current grandparent, Maʻulili Dickson, explaining how they followed the teachings of Papa Mau. Such beautiful storytelling by the entire team had us all enthralled and connected to a tradition that starts right here on our island.
Saturday & Sunday:
Over the weekend, our Upper School students got to shake it off with a HPA Prom celebration that capped off a full day of athletic competitions. Not to be outdone, the Easter Bunny proved he too could bust a move with our annual on-campus Easter egg hunt that delighted the littles of our Residential Life faculty families and our boarders alike.
Monday:
It was an honor and a privilege to host colleagues from Kamehameha Schools. And of course, Waimea knew to shine bright with blue skies and white clouds framing the vivid green puʻu behind our campuses. Our faculty and students did their usual thing: showcasing their love for teaching and learning and displaying their authentic, consistent commitment to fulfilling our mission every day. From our morning meeting with the kindergarteners who shared their observations while taking turns holding Talking Turtle, to the fourth grade preview of their science research projects based on excursions around the island, and our seventh graders preparations for their podcast on reef research — our Village Campus set the perfect tone for a beautiful day. Leave it to our string quartet to hit another high note when we descended on the Upper Campus for a visit to our star compass and Energy Lab. I couldn’t have been more proud to share our school with our friends at Kamehameha.
Wednesday:
After cheering on our seniors for boys volleyball the night before, I headed to Keaʻau to see the first-ever flag football BIIF Championship game with our Ka Makani girls representing us all! A large crowd of parents and peers in red were there to hold strong — including our baseball team who stopped by to show their support after suffering a tough season-ending loss down in Pāhoa. Exciting wins in golf, tennis, track, and water polo have kept state tournament hopes alive for most of our teams and individuals.
Thursday:
Just yesterday, we welcomed our 8th graders and soon-to-be freshmen to our Upper Campus for a tour of the places and spaces they’ll be transitioning their learning journey to in the fall. It’s hard to believe that in just four short years, they will be the graduating class of 2029 and we’ll be preparing them for another major milestone in their lives.
Today:
Keeping the abundant May Day spirit alive, next Monday, April 28, we will launch HPA’s annual May Day Challenge, which honors our 75-year legacy. We aim to raise $75,000 over four days of giving, bringing our families, alumni, friends, and others together in this effort! Many of you have given through the HPA Fund this year – mahalo nui! It’s important. These moments from the last ten days on campus are made possible by generous support for the HPA Fund. We count on each of you to help create these exceptional learning experiences. Please join me in supporting the HPA Fund through the May Day Challenge. Every gift, big or small, makes a significant difference.
Mahalo
We are humbled to work together to ensure that HPA continues to be a place where students are empowered to lead and leave a legacy in tomorrow’s world. Thank you for being part of this Ka Makani experience and thank you for walking with me each day.
Have a wonder-filled weekend!
Gratefully,
Fred Wawner
Head of School
School Bulletins for the Week of 4/25/25
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!
From swim week splashes to field trip adventures, culminating writing celebrations, and collaborative math challenges, our learners are fully immersed in a vibrant season of discovery and reflection. Last week alone was a beautiful example of this energy in motion—three wonderful Wā Pilina Art Receptions filled our spirits (and Isaacs Arts Center!) with creativity and color, our K-5 learners came together for the unbeatable experience of Lā Mauloa in all her undeniable glory, and our 8th graders shared their capstone projects, showcasing months of inquiry, growth, and exploration. These exceptional learning moments highlight the depth and joy of academics happening all around us, alongside meaningful connections and shared experiences.
Please read below for updates, reminders, and other ways you can get involved as we close our 4th quarter and make every moment count.
May Day Rehearsal Schedule – Week of April 28
We’re well into rehearsals for our much-anticipated May Day hoʻike! Please reference this week’s letter for GPAC rehearsal dates and show details. Please plan accordingly for this busy upcoming week, April 28 – May 2. As a reminder, students are dismissed immediately following the performance, which will also be live-streamed and recorded for family members who cannot attend in person.
ʻOhana Lei-Making for May Day – Wednesday, April 30
Please join us for ʻOhana Association’s lei-making event on Wednesday, April 30, after school from 2:15 pm to pau at Kohala Field. Every student will need a representative to make a lei for their May Day performance. If you cannot make it, not to worry, there are other ways to volunteer! Check in with your class parent representative.
- What to bring: 15 large, fresh green Ti leaves
- Don’t worry if you’ve never made a lei—we’ll teach and help each other!
Plastic Bottle Cap Collecting for Annual Lower School Rainbow Day
Our Student Council has been hard at work planning our annual Rainbow Day, Friday, May 9th—a student-led tradition that celebrates the diversity, uniqueness, and joy that each of us brings to our school community. As our Student Council leaders shared, this is a day to honor acceptance, happiness, pride, and togetherness—because together, we make a beautiful rainbow!
This year, one of the special activities our Council leaders are initiating will involve creating art from repurposed materials. We need your help! Starting now, we’ll begin collecting plastic bottle caps of all colors and sizes to be used in our Rainbow Day art project. Please send your child to school with any clean plastic bottle caps you no longer need—we’ll be collecting through May 8th. More details about Rainbow Day to come soon. Thank you for supporting this meaningful celebration! (Rainbow Day is a regular school day, with Council-led fun-filled activities celebrating our diverse community throughout the day.)
Village Campus Teacher Appreciation Day – Wednesday, May 7
Let’s show our incredible teachers how much we appreciate them! On Wednesday, May 7, ʻOhana Association is bringing back our beloved ʻOhana Teacher Appreciation Pop-Up Shop and celebration. Mahalo to all our families for helping us make this day extra special by contributing items. Here is the ʻOhana Association link to sign up to help.
5th-grade Capstone, a note from K-8 Capstone Coordinator, Mr. Dagan Bernstein ‘97
In March, our 5th-grade students reached a major milestone in their capstone journey by presenting their completed projects to peers, families, and faculty. Their presentations marked the culmination of a multi-phase inquiry process grounded in the practices of Mālama Kaiāulu and shaped by their personal interests and curiosity. Throughout capstone, students worked to explore meaningful questions, take informed action, and design projects that addressed real needs within our school and greater community.
The Presentation and Exhibition Day was a celebration of their learning and the community impact of their project. Students confidently shared what they created—ranging from 3D printed nest mounts to support native birds, to the revitalization of a community food pantry, and a storytelling project on the history of hula. Their work reflected strong growth in our core academic skills of collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking. We mahalo our supportive Village Campus ʻohana who guided and encouraged students along the way. Congratulations to all our scholars!
Charity Walk – Get Involved! Saturday, May 10
HPA is excited to put together a team to represent our community at this year’s Charity Walk! We’re organizing a team of walkers and runners, and we’d love for you to join us. Let’s create a sea of red and show up in full force!
The Charity Walk is a super fun event with an early morning run or walk, a chance to meet up with other HPA families, and enjoy food, entertainment, and community. The Charity Walk is the largest single-day fundraising event in Hawaiʻi by a non-profit organization. In 2024, they awarded $500,000 to support non-profits and charitable organizations on the Big Island—HPA included! This event has been a staple in Hawaiʻi for years, and we’d love to increase HPA’s participation in this incredibly impactful, family-friendly fundraiser. Strollers welcome!
Register for the event here or complete a paper form and turn it into the front office. Paper forms will be sent home with students.
Kamakani Keiki Summer Camp – Now Open for Registration
Looking for an enriching summer experience for your child? Sign-ups are now open for Kamakani Keiki Camp!
Mahalo
As always, thank you for your continued support, enthusiasm, and partnership. This season is filled with celebration, reflection, and connection—and we’re so glad to experience it together with each of you.
Have a beautiful weekend, Lower School ʻohana!
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 28.
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,
Last week, the Village Campus was alive with purpose as our 8th-grade students shared their culminating capstone projects. Students, full of nerves but ready, presented within their advisory cohorts to panels made up of teachers, peers, and an incredible group of community members. These included project mentors, members of local non-profits, subject-area specialists, and faculty and staff from across campus who offered thoughtful questions and encouragement. Our 7th-grade students joined as audience members, gathering inspiration as they prepare to begin their own capstone journey.
The day wrapped up with a community exhibition in Hale ʻĪnana. Students set up displays and invited their peers, families, and faculty to engage in conversation and celebrate their learning. All Middle School students had the opportunity to visit the exhibition — including a special showing for our 6th-grade students — giving them a glimpse into what’s ahead.
From a project exploring the health and joy of growing food, to a student-produced documentary celebrating waʻa culture, to a hands-on sustainability initiative that brought a plastic bag recycling station to Kahaluʻu Beach — each capstone project was a reflection of student voice, vision, and impact. These culminating moments embodied our Mālama Kaiāulu sustainability practices: haʻina (sharing our story), kuleana (responsibility), lōkahi (harmony), and pilina (connectedness).
Mahalo to the 8th-grade advisory team, our faculty and staff, and the many community members who supported and uplifted our students along the way.
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 28.
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
• 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 e nā haumāna o ka papa 2025,
I wish to extend my congratulations to each and every one of you on the successful completion of your capstone projects and your presentations at the Haʻina Senior Capstone Showcase! What an incredible display of talent, passion, and dedication. We were deeply moved by the diverse range of presentations, which spanned everything from exquisitely handcrafted art pieces to intensive lab science experiments, and everything in between. You truly showcased the breadth of your interests and the depth of your learning.
I also share my deepest mahalo to the incomparable Senior Capstone Faculty Team for their unwavering support, inspiration, and guidance throughout the year. Your commitment to our students is truly remarkable. A special shout-out also goes to all the Upper School Faculty who joined us in making this year’s showcase and presentations a success, and for your enthusiastic support of our seniors.
The Capstone Program is a cornerstone of the HPA experience. It’s an opportunity for you to delve deeply into a topic that ignites your passion, to develop essential skills, and to make a meaningful contribution. This experience is designed to prepare you for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, equipping you with the tools for lifelong learning, critical thinking, and impactful engagement with the world. We know this experience will serve our soon-to-be alumni well.
We are immensely proud of your accomplishments, and we wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
Mahalo,
Pualani Lincoln Maielua ‘01
Senior Class Dean and Upper School Capstone Coordinator
Aloha Upper School families,
Senior Capstone Presentations
First, a HUGE shout out to the Capstone Team led by Pualani Lincoln Maielua and the faculty of Laura Swarz-Burt, Laura Jim, Sierra Huebert-Sanchez, Johanna Anton, Robyn Scarth, Willie Quayle, Jeremy Lustik, Delaney McGrath, Crystal Sebastian, Matt Piercy, and Daena Craven. The products culminated their mentorship with their charges, which we celebrated last Thursday and Friday. The program’s benefits are clearly seen as we help our graduates prepare for life after HPA.
Prom
Next, thanks to the senior class advisory group, which supported our Director of Student Affairs, Liz Watson, in planning, setting up, running, and cleaning up the HPA prom. The team is listed below. The many hands were made for lighter work.
- Delaney McGrath- Advisor
- Roy McGrath – Advisor
- Pua Lincoln Maielua – Class Dean
- Julie Camarillo – Advisor and Class Leader
- Laura Jim. Advisor
- Nanci Morse – Advisor
- Sally Lundburg Advisor
- Ka’ai Spencer – Advisor
- Ken Zecchini – Advisor
- Robert Burchell- Advisor and Class Leader
- Tani Cordova- Advisor
- Tanya Craig – Nurse in attendance
- Patrick O’Leary – Photographer
- Justina Woods – Photo Support
8th-grade Visit to the Upper School
On Thursday, April 24, 2025, the Upper School Academic team hosted rising ninth graders on campus. Freshmen Dean Crystal Sebastian greeted the students along with Class Leader Kaʻai Spencer. The students heard from Head of School, Mr. Wawner, myself, the school registrar, and several others who will be guiding them on their high school journey. We are excited about them joining us this fall and becoming members of the Upper School community.
Tuesday, May 6, Junior Class Introduction to Capstone Teachers
Following the assembly, all junior students will hold back to be introduced to next year’s capstone teachers and their areas of expertise. All juniors must attend this meeting, and work can begin immediately to prepare for their senior capstone presentation. Sage advice was given by this year’s seniors, that being, to begin work on their capstone sooner rather than later. Those students who take the AP Chemistry exam that day will receive a video presentation of the meeting and will have an opportunity to view it at a later date.
Mahalo,
Mark Noetzel
Assistant Head of School for Upper School
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 a Mamo day with in-person instruction on our Upper Campus on Monday, April 28.
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, 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.
Residential Life
The end of the semester is approaching fast, and we are in the time of the year where the “last” events are happening each week. This past week, the residential community met as a whole for the last time this year to elect our Executive Dorm Representative to Student Council for next year — congratulations to Mei-Chi “Maggie” Lu! In the weeks ahead, we will have our last Hall Meetings, Dorm Meetings, and our last Formal Dinner of the year on May 5.
Finally, we would like to remind all of our families to send their child’s end-of-year travel plans to travel@hpa.edu by Monday, May 5. Even if you will be coming to the island to collect them and they will not need a ride to the airport, it is helpful to start planning our airport shuttles, as well as pack up and move out of the dormitories! Please review this letter from Monday, April 14, which has more information about end-of-year departures.
Student Life
Student Council Elections
Student Council elections are over! Please join us in congratulating the 2025-2026 Student Council. We had a spirited election season with many students showing their dedication and care for HPA and wanting to make it an even better place for their peers.
President: Carlyle Collinson
Vice President: Charlie Chang
Secretary: Chloe Jung
Treasurer: Kelan Kennedy
Executive Dorm Representative: Maggie Lu
Class Representatives:
Class of 2026 – Nina Cipriano, Christian Hunt, and Pemma Norbu
Class of 2027 – Jasmine Larson, Avery Lit, and Liliana Negulescu
Class of 2028 – Letsie Khabele, Iliana Mandaloniz, and Khloe Nakagawa
*Class of 2029 (incoming freshmen) election will take place in October 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. 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 the following 2025-26:
Spring Break 2026 – The Alps and the Mediterranean Coast with EF Tours: March 2026, with a $200 early booking discount. 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.
Spring Break 2026 – Galapagos Islands Ecology with Ecology Project International: March 2026, with a $200 early enrollment discount. Ecology Project International offers need-based student financial aid. Awards typically range from $300-600, so it won’t cover the full cost of the program, but it can help offset it. The student financial aid application opens on August 1, 2025, and can be found here.
The HPA Ka Makani Travel Grant application is open. The deadline to apply is May 5 at 10:00 pm. Students received an invitation to apply via email on April 22nd. Please contact Ka Makani Travel Coordinator Adrienne White (awhite@hpa.edu) for more information.
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
May Day Challenge 2025
The 2025 May Day Challenge begins Monday! The story of our incredible school is the story of many individuals coming together with aloha, enterprise, and generosity. Collectively, we create the HPA continuum. Next week, we will uphold the school we share. Our goal is $75,000 to celebrate 75 amazing years of HPA. Watch for our Monday kickoff or give early to spark the May Day Challenge and unlock the match.
Charity Walk 2025 – Saturday, May 10
Charity Walk is the State of Hawaiʻi’s largest single-day fundraising event by a non-profit organization. In 2024, they awarded $500,000 to support non-profit and charitable organizations on Hawaiʻi Island – HPA being one of them! HPA is organizing a team of walkers and runners and we would love to have you join us! You can register for the event here. Each participant will receive a HPA team t-shirt designed especially for the Charity Walk. Let us know your sizes by filling out this form.
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
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.