Week of 5/2/25
What's Happening at HPA This Week?
Message from the Head of School
Aloha HPA ʻohana,
He waʻa, he moku, he moku he waʻa! Mauka to makai!
Each May, communities across Hawaiʻi collectively pause to recognize May Day — a celebration of the colors, flowers, stories, and songs of each of the Hawaiian islands in a beautiful display of traditional symbols and modern pageantry. Our K-5 Lower School community has honored this cherished tradition at HPA with an annual performance that blends their Hawaiian Studies and Music instruction into a wonderful showcase of their aloha for our home.
This year’s May Day hōʻike celebrated our waʻa community and the tradition of Polynesian voyaging. Honoring the past through stories, chants, and songs allows us to appreciate and acknowledge our responsibility to perpetuate the legacies that have been passed down to us. This was skillfully captured by our kindergarten through 5th-grade students in their performances today!
With Lā Mauloa staged in front of Gates Performing Arts Center, its many heroes in our audience sang with and back to our kids as they chanted and sang songs written by friends and relatives of this very crew. The depth of this magical exchange was not missed by those of us in the audience who were able to witness. It was so, so special. From Pwo navigator Chadd Paishon joining in singing O Makaliʻi to Maʻulili Dickson beautifully boosting all of us in the auditorium in every mele, and then Kumu Kūwalu and her son Kaniela (affectionately referred to by the students as Uncle Badger) working through a layered script of history and genius. Watching the students stand so proud and confidently in this space to share all they have learned and absorbed over the last several months was awe-inspiring. A feeling of wonder and gratitude flooded the standing-room only audience, and many were seen wiping away tears of appreciation and aloha for it all.
Congratulations to our Lower School students for their pursuit of excellence on stage, and to all the faculty, staff, and parent volunteers who worked tirelessly in preparation behind-the-scenes to make today possible!
Keeping the abundant May Day spirit alive, I want to thank each and every one of you who generously participated in this year’s May Day Challenge to raise $75,000 in support of our HPA Fund and in honor of our 75 years as an institution. We are thrilled to have exceeded our goal! Our HPA Fund could not be more deserving, and Ka Makani from everywhere every year reach out to show their support. What a beautiful testament to the flowers that have bloomed all over the world to string together the lei we continue to add to over the years.
Contributions and gratitude are intertwined always, and both have been overflowing across our campuses as we enter our final month of school. Much like the layers and intricacies of May Day flower lei, both strands of gratitude and giving are an interconnected, beautiful and symbiotic gift at HPA.
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. Congratulations to our Upper School student-athletes competing in our league and state championships over the coming days.
On this beautiful first Friday in May, it is easy to feel the passion and connection to Ka Makani spirit of past, present, and future.
Enjoy a wonder-filled weekend!
Gratefully,
Fred Wawner
Head of School
School Bulletins for the Week of 5/2/25
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!
As we enter the final two and a half weeks of school, our days continue to be filled with meaningful learning and vibrant activity. This is a time of both deep engagement and well-earned celebration, as students wrap up projects, demonstrate their growth, and participate in special events that mark the culmination of a rich and rewarding school year.
Annual Lower School Rainbow Day – Friday, May 9
Friday, May 9, will be our fourth annual Lower School Rainbow Day! A Lower School Student Council-initiated day to celebrate our diverse community, Rainbow Day aims to celebrate the uniqueness of everyone, a day to honor acceptance, happiness, joy, and pride. “We are all unique. Together, we make a beautiful rainbow.” Student Council leaders will have different activities for students to choose from during our recess periods, and everyone is encouraged to wear their class color as we form a Lower School rainbow!
What are the assigned class colors?
-
- 5th: red
- 4th: orange
- 3rd: yellow
- 2nd: green
- 1st: blue/indigo
- Kindergarten: violet/purple
Our Student Council leaders are looking forward to celebrating our school spirit and diversity as a community on this special day!
Also, donʻt forget to bring in those plastic bottle caps! To be used in our Rainbow Day art project, we are accepting clean bottles caps of all colors and sizes. Thank you for supporting this meaningful celebration! (Rainbow Day is a regular school day but with Council-led fun filled activities celebrating our diverse community throughout the day.)
Village Campus Teacher Appreciation Day – Wednesday, May 7
On Wednesday, May 7, our ʻOhana Association is bringing back the 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. Thank you to all those who have already signed up! If you missed it, here is the ʻOhana Association link to sign up to help.
Charity Walk – Get Involved! Saturday, May 10
Just a reminder to sign up for this year’s Charity Walk! HPA is 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. Register for the event here or complete a paper form and turn it into the front office. Paper forms were sent home with students last week, but you can reach out to the office for more.
At the time of this writing, our Lower School community is celebrating our wonderful keiki in their annual May Day performance. I cannot say enough how proud I am of their pursuit of excellence in this culminating celebration of their learning. Thank you for your support of our children, our school, and our shared mission. If you or your family members were unable to catch it live, tune in here to get a sense of the magic of the day.
Please remember that Monday, May 5, is a Faculty Work Day, and there will be no school for students in grades K-8. Classes will resume on Tuesday, May 6.
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
As a reminder, Monday, May 5, is a Lower and Middle School Faculty Work Day, and there are no classes for grades K-8. Our K-5 classes continue with in-person instruction on our Village Campus on Tuesday, May 6.
We encourage all families to check the School Calendar in myHPA for the most up-to-date information. In addition, a list of Key Dates (school opening and closures) can also be located on the Lower School Family Resources tile located in myHPA.
Coming Up
• Monday, 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: Last day of school, 2:00 pm dismissal; no After School Program
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,
In Middle School, we’re in the business of making memories — moments that connect students to each other, their teachers, and their school community. This past Saturday, many lasting memories were created at our 8th-grade Dinner Dance at Anna’s Ranch. From what I’ve been told, our current 8th graders may have set a record for the most toasts ever given — raising glasses of juice or sparkling water to celebrate their time together and express heartfelt mahalo for the friendships and experiences they’ve shared this year.
A heartfelt thank you to our ʻOhana Association and parent volunteers who made the evening so special — setting up beautiful decorations, coordinating food, and staying to help with clean-up. It’s only with the support of our extended ʻohana that magical evenings like this can shine the way they do. Looking ahead to next school year, we’ll be reaching out to engage even more families in these joyful efforts that help make middle school the unforgettable experience it should be.
This special event came on the heels of our 8th graders’ annual visit to the Upper Campus, where they connected with faculty and participated in a thoughtful Q&A session with Upper School students. They explored topics ranging from academics to school culture — taking one more meaningful step toward their next chapter.
Now, as we enter the final 12 instructional days of the school year, our students are navigating a mix of academic responsibilities, project deadlines, and the emotional weight that often comes with the end of a school year. I believe this time introduces a healthy kind of stress — much like the wind that young trees must withstand to grow stronger roots. Over time, this push leads to greater resilience and strength. As Ka Makani, we understand that it’s the wind that shapes who we become.
Please remember that Monday, May 5, is a Faculty Work Day, and there will be no school for students in grades K-8. Classes will resume on Tuesday, May 6. Be sure to review the key dates below as we close out the year with celebration, reflection, and purpose.
Aloha always,
Michael Cservenak
Middle School Principal
Calling all budding designers! A free 4-H Fashion Camp will be held from June 2 to 6, 2025, at Honoka‘a High School for students ages 12-17. In this one-week 4-H fashion camp, students will learn about the business of fashion design and practice basic sewing skills to create clothing. This program will teach how to use a sewing machine and introduce topics like styling, fabric & fibers, branding, and entrepreneurship with guest speakers from the community and UH Mānoa’s Fashion Design and Merchandising Program.
Students can register for the camp at https://go.hawaii.edu/8kQ or scan the QR code on the flyer. For more information, please contact hamptonm@hawaii.edu.
The camp is free to attend, but participants need to bring their own lunch.
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
As a reminder, Monday, May 5, is a Lower and Middle School Faculty Work Day, and there are no classes for grades K-8. Our Middle School 2024-2025 Daily Schedule continues with in-person instruction on our Village Campus on Tuesday, May 6.
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
• 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.
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,
As we enter the final two and a half weeks of the school year, the pace is picking up, and the finish line is in sight. This season is full of energy — AP exams, final projects, performances, and celebrations. Amid the momentum, we’re reminded of the importance of pausing, reflecting, and being present. These closing weeks offer meaningful opportunities for growth, connection, and lasting memories. Let us finish strong — but also take time to appreciate the beauty of this moment.
National Merit Scholarship Recognition
We are proud to announce that three of our Upper School students, Tiffany Ravaglia, Neha Singh, and Henry Maling, have earned recognition on the 2024 Preliminary National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, taken this past fall. Scoring in the top 4% of the 1.3 million students nationwide, they are now eligible to advance as either Semifinalists or Commended Students this coming fall. Congratulations to Tiffany, Neha, and Henry on this outstanding achievement!
Student Course Selections
We have begun the course registration process for the 2025-2026 school year, and students may turn in their Course Registration Forms. Families were emailed on Tuesday with the following information to review:
Advanced Placement (AP) Testing
AP testing begins next week on May 5 and runs through May 16. Please note the following Attendance Expectations that are located in the Student Handbook:
- AP Attendance on Test Day:
- Morning AP Exams: Students must attend afternoon classes, assuming there is still instruction/ review that is beneficial for upcoming final exams.
- Afternoon AP Exam: Students may skip morning classes to further prepare for an afternoon AP Exam.
- After Test Day:
- Seniors ONLY: If a senior is passing conduct and has a parent’s signature on their Senior Privilege Form, they may be excused from attending further AP classes after completing the AP exam.
Best of luck to all of our AP students. We are so proud of your hard work and preparation!
Artificial Intelligence (AI) at HPA
At HPA, we recognize that AI is rapidly reshaping our world, and we are committed to engaging with it in an ethical, responsible, and mission-aligned manner. This school year, we partnered with MagicSchool AI, a platform that helps teachers create more personalized and engaging learning experiences while giving students safe opportunities to explore how AI can support their educational journey. Our approach is asset-based, meaning that we see AI as a tool that can enhance creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication, all while staying rooted in the values of Mālama Kaiāulu.
One of the most exciting developments this year is a student-led project called Project TaiLWIND, created by 11th grader Kelan Kennedy as part of his Independent Science Research (ISR) class with Dr. Bill Wiecking. Kelan’s deep interest in AI and sustainability inspired him to design TaiLWIND: a solar-powered, internal AI system built in our HPA Energy Lab. The project is unfolding in four phases: first, the creation of a vetted research repository that students have already used to study for exams with access to over 35,000 archived resources; second, a department-level server piloted by science faculty; third, a tool that allows users to compare multiple AI models side-by-side; and finally, the development of a large, unified HPA-trained language model, which Kelan plans to focus on as his Capstone next year. TaiLWIND exemplifies HPA’s commitment to innovation grounded in purpose and student agency.
We are also proud to be working alongside Parker School in a Professional Learning Community (PLC) focused on developing best practices for AI in education. Our shared goal is to ask critical questions about learning, assessment, and academic integrity in the age of AI. At HPA, we believe AI is not something to fear or ignore — it is something to understand, question, and harness for good. By giving students real-world tools, safe exploration spaces, and mentorship, we are preparing them not just to navigate the future, but to shape it.
In closing, may we all continue to embody the spirit of Ka Makani — resilient, curious, and guided by purpose. Whether your child is preparing for an exam, showcasing a project, or simply soaking in their last days of the school year, we hope you will join us in celebrating their growth and progress. Mahalo for your continued partnership and support. Let us make these last days meaningful — for every student, in every way.
Mahalo,
Mark Noetzel
Assistant Head of School for Upper School
The Waimea Athletics College Scholarship 2025 application is now live!
Seniors who were born and raised in Waimea on Hawai‘i Island, have participated in four years of high school sports, and have played at least two years of middle school community sports are eligible to apply.
Eligible seniors must currently attend Honoka‘a High School, Kanu o Ka ‘Āina, Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy, Parker School, or Kamehameha Schools – Hawai‘i. We are proud to offer three scholarships of $1,000 each.
The application deadline (including all supporting documents) is May 11, 2025.
Calling all budding designers! A free 4-H Fashion Camp will be held from June 2 to 6, 2025, at Honoka‘a High School for students ages 12-17. In this one-week 4-H fashion camp, students will learn about the business of fashion design and practice basic sewing skills to create clothing. This program will teach how to use a sewing machine and introduce topics like styling, fabric & fibers, branding, and entrepreneurship with guest speakers from the community and UH Mānoa’s Fashion Design and Merchandising Program.
Students can register for the camp at https://go.hawaii.edu/8kQ or scan the QR code on the flyer. For more information, please contact hamptonm@hawaii.edu.
The camp is free to attend, but participants need to bring their own lunch.
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 when 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.
Travel Itinerary Reminder
Please send your 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 here.
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
Free Upcoming Essay Writing Program offered for all Juniors!
HPA College Counseling has partnered with Ethan Sawyer, aka “The College Essay Guy,” to provide three virtual college essay boot camps this summer for our Juniors. These comprehensive bootcamps focus on three distinct topics
- Writing the Personal Statement: June 2, 4, 6 or June 16, 18, 20
- The University of California Personal Insight Questions – July 14 & 16
- The College Application and Supplemental Essays – September 21
Students can choose to log in live to attend these live boot camps or watch recordings of the programs. All Juniors will be registered by College Counseling to take part in the program and the course fees have been covered by HPA. Click on this link to learn more: College Essay Guy’s Essay 2025 Bootcamps.
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.
Join us for Charity Walk!
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!
Admissions
In the event that you have family or friends who are still looking for placement at HPA for the 2025-2026 academic year, we have a few more spaces in our kindergarten, 6th, 7th, and 9th-11th grade levels for boarding. Please let them know to reach out to the admissions office at admissions@hpa.edu so the team can support their interest.
Advancement
May Day Challenge 2025
The 2025 May Day Challenge has been met! You, our ʻohana, contributed a total of $103,235 to help deliver the extraordinary programs that define HPA. Because you carried us successfully across the finish line, a generous donor has made a special contribution of $25,000 to our results for a grand total of $128,235. Mahalo nui!!
On behalf of all Ka Makani who learn and grow here, who carry HPA into the future… please accept our warmest aloha and gratitude! Eō Ka Makani!
If you intended to make a gift, no worries! It’s never too late to make a difference! Join the challenge!
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.