Week of 10/9/25

What's Happening at HPA This Week?

Message from the Head of School

Aloha HPA ʻohana,

This past week has been a powerful reminder of the unique opportunities our island home offers for learning rooted in place, culture, and community.

Place-based education is a popular term. It is known as an educational approach that uses the local community and environment as a starting point to teach concepts across subjects. It emphasizes real-world experiences, local culture, history, ecology, and community engagement. But place-based learning on Hawaiʻi Island, the HPA way, is grounded deeply in our Mālama Kaiāulu framework.

As part of our commitment to place-based education, our Middle School students dove into Theme Week — an immersive experience that took them across Hawai‘i Island, from mountain to sea and back again. Whether hiking remote trails, exploring native ecosystems, or engaging in hands-on science and cultural learning, students experienced firsthand what it means to be stewards of this place. Heroic efforts by our Middle School advisors who planned and executed epic adventures for each grade level.

Our 8th grade embarked on ʻIke Kaiāulu — or community knowledge — as the basis for their journeys to the Wailoa Art Center in Hilo, Puakō Petroglyphs along the Nā Ala Hele, and two nights in Volcanoes National Park while engaging in service with the Keauhou Bird Conservation Center.

Our 7th grade experienced everything makai — learning the fundamentals of ocean safety with the Alex and Duke De Rego Foundation and completing a rigorous beach cleanup at Pololū Valley in collaboration with the Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund.

Our 6th graders have an overview of place by engaging in service at the Waikōloa Dry Forest and Ulu Mau Puanui, while also learning about Hawaiʻi’s history of navigation at the ʻImiloa Astronomy Center and the Tsunami Museum.

Each grade level’s journey encompasses Mālama Kaiāulu and teaches our students that we must connect all of our learning to place in order to truly grow.

For more than 40 years, one constant at the Upper School has been our world-renowned Marine Studies program. Now led by Laura Jim ’91, with support from Robyn Scarth — think of them as the Marine Biology world’s Batman and Robin — this signature HPA program continues to spark curiosity, stewardship, and awe for our surrounding ocean.

Just this past week alone, the duo guided students through a series of unforgettable experiences: the fourth Sunday Snorkel Series outing to Puakō’s turtle cleaning station, where participants were greeted by a majestic manta ray; a turtle-tagging expedition that provided health assessments for 14 honu; and a scuba capstone project surveying multiple reef sites for a student-led research initiative.

At HPA, the classroom often extends 20, 40, even 60 feet below the surface. That’s what we call depth — in every sense of the word.

Another standout adventure from our Outdoor Program, led by our seasoned explorer Lindsey Paulekas, took place this past week with the annual Halapē trip. Over the course of several days, students hiked across the dramatic landscape of Volcanoes National Park, immersing themselves in the island’s rugged beauty and rich cultural history.

Sleeping under the stars, diving into legend and history that formed the land and energy around us, and learning about traditional systems offered rich opportunities for both personal growth and collective understanding. These experiences are not just memorable — they can be transformative, helping students build a lifelong sense of connection and responsibility to themselves and to each other. There is a sense of wonder and competition in a long, rigorous walk that often stays with you, adding a little bit more sustenance to one’s confidence and character.

Our commitment to place-based education spans the entire K-12 journey, and this week our youngest learners at the Village Campus were fully immersed in experiences that brought classroom learning to life. Whether through storytelling, mālama kai projects, or forest explorations, our K-5 students are growing up seeing Hawaiʻi not only as home, but as a place to learn like no other.

Earlier this week, our second graders welcomed two representatives from the nearby Waikōloa Dry Forest, who shared their knowledge about the native wiliwili tree through storytelling and hands-on exploration. Students examined potted trees at different growth stages, then planted their own seeds to take home — beginning a journey they’ll soon continue with an in-class follow-up and a culminating visit to the forest itself.

As pioneering British educator Margaret McMillan, a strong advocate for outdoor learning, once poignantly stated, “Not all classrooms have four walls.” This immersion and stewardship of place is translated in our Mission and felt in our programs. Honoring the traditions of Hawaiʻi…these are not just words. A week like this, it is especially moving at HPA and off campus! It is carried by our alumni and buzzing in our current students. We as parents and caregivers get to experience this depth of place through our kids and our connections — how awesome!

Mahalo for partnering with us in this work — we are grateful for your continued support and shared commitment to growing grounded, thoughtful learners.

Have a wonder-filled weekend!

Gratefully,

Fred Wawner
Head of School

HPA FUND UPDATE

Fourth grade has surged ahead with an impressive 86% family participation, just one point above our spirited first and second grade classes. Together, these three have already unlocked a remarkable $75,000 for the HPA Fund!

Who’s going to make the next big push to 80% and unlock another $25,000? The finish line is in sight — let’s keep the momentum rolling, Ka Makani ʻohana!

Make your gift

School Bulletins for the Week of 10/9/25

Lower School

Each week, K–5 families receive updates highlighting joyful moments, meaningful lessons, and a glimpse into what students and parents can look forward to in the weeks ahead.

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Pilina: Weekly Highlights Connecting Us on Campus

Bringing together highlights, stories, and connections from across our Lower School community this week.

Aloha Lower School ʻOhana!

Our Village Campus morning greeting at the roundabout has looked different this week with special guest greeters from across HPA, from our Assistant Head of School for Business Affairs, to our Upper School Curriculum Coordinator. Our various greeters hail from across K-12, alongside our Head of School to welcome children and families for a warm start to the day. Where are our usual greeters, you might ask? Well, we are proud to be holding our regularly scheduled Student Support Team meetings, when our grade level teachers and specialists collaborate in the mornings to focus on specific learning strengths and goals for students across K-5. These are meetings to ensure each child is known and supported in the way that will serve them best. Having this time to collaborate helps ensure we are aligned in our approach and support strategies. Our teachers can then provide students with tools to work on their goals, and we can discuss updates during our parent-teacher conferences so we can align with your strategies at home.

Speaking of Parent Teacher Conferences, you will receive an email from the VC office next week so you can sign up for yours. We invite you to schedule a time on either Thursday, October 23, or Friday, October 24, from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm, to meet your child(ren)’s teacher(s) and specialists for an update on their current progress. As a reminder, there are no classes for grades K-8 on these days as teachers will be meeting with families during the school day. You are strongly encouraged to sign up with all available teachers to discuss your childʻs progress. In addition to your child(ren)’s grade level teacher, you can schedule a meeting with their Art, PE, Music, and Library teachers. Our Counselor and Learning Support Specialist are also available to you.

Complimentary Childcare
To best serve our HPA ʻohana, we have arranged for our After School Program Director, Mele DeMille, to provide complimentary childcare for K-8 students during their family’s scheduled parent-teacher conference time. (Students are not joining these conferences, but will be sharing at the Student-Led Conferences in the Spring). Please drop your child(ren) off at least 5 minutes before your scheduled Parent-Teacher conference, and pick them up no later than 10 minutes after your conference has ended.

HPA Student Store Pop-up Shop
Stock up on HPA gear at our Student Store Pop-up Shop, which will be open on Thursday, October 23, and Friday, October 24, from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm each day at the Village Campus roundabout.

Spirit Week
Our Lower School Student Council has finalized our Spirit Week theme days. Find the hard copy notice in your child(ren)’s backpack today, and remember that participation is encouraged but not at all required.

Have a great weekend, Lower School ʻOhana!

Me ka mahalo nui,

Dora Kwong
Lower School Principal

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4.9.26 Lower School with UC Capstone_Dylan Vincent_Gyotaku Painting Demo

Schedule

Our K-5 classes continue with in-person instruction on our Village Campus on Monday, October 13.

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

• Friday, October 10: LS & MS Faculty Workday, No Classes, Grades K-8

• Monday, October 13 and Tuesday, October 14: 3rd-5th grade morning dropoff at GPAC, 7:40-8:00 am

• Wednesday, October 15: 3rd-5th Grade Musical Performance, GPAC

• Thursday, October 23 – Friday, October 24: Parent-Teacher Conferences

• Monday, October 27 – Friday, October 31: Spirit Week

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, 2025-2026.

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.

Video Highlight of the Week - 'Ohana Days Recap

Middle School

Each week, 6–8 families receive updates reflecting on recent activities and accomplishments, along with a preview of what students and parents can look forward to in the coming days.

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Pilina: Weekly Highlights Connecting Us on Campus

Bringing together highlights, stories, and connections from across our Middle School community this week.

Aloha Middle School ʻohana,

Thanks for a transformational Theme Week! Your support was greatly appreciated and the time our students had engaging with place-based learning and service was extraordinary.

Here are some important announcements for the weeks ahead:

• Theme Week: Mahalo to our teachers and community partners who made this yearʻs Theme Week a huge success — ask your child about their learning, service and connection each day.

• Parent-Teacher Conferences: Parent-Teacher Conferences are Thursday, October 23 and Friday, October 24. An email from the Village Campus Office is coming soon to schedule these essential meetings.

• Student Council: Middle School Student Council is very close to finalizing our Spirit Days for October 27-31 at the Village Campus. All three Divisions — Upper, Middle and Lower Schools will be showing spirit the same week.

Important Reminder:
A kind reminder to inform our front office of any absences or early check-outs should contact our front office: vcattendance@hpa.edu

Be safe out there! It’s Ironman weekend!

With gratitude and excitement,

Michael Cservenak
Middle School Principal

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