Week of 4/10/26

What's Happening at HPA This Week?

Message from the Head of School

Aloha HPA ʻohana,

This week in Hilo, Hawaiʻi, we celebrate the 63rd Merrie Monarch Festival—a remarkable internationally acclaimed hula competition where talent, discipline, culture, and excellence is on full display. This festival honors King David Kalakaua who is known for his leadership in the preservation and perpetuation of Hawaiian culture in all forms and once stated that the art of hula is the “language of the heart.” If you have experienced it, this is absolutely and deeply true.

For our family, this has become a yearly tradition. We gather around the TV and watch in awe as dancers take the stage representing their hālau, their communities, their islands, and their elders through mele and hula. The stories come alive through movement, filled with intention, precision, and deep meaning. It is powerful. It is beautiful. It is, at times, simply mesmerizing. Pull up a chair and hold on to your hats and hearts!

Each hālau brings its own style in hula kahiko (ancient style) and ʻauana (modern style). Each performance carries layers of nuance and storytelling. And while those deeply grounded in hula traditions may see even more, there is something important here—you don’t need to understand everything to feel something.

I’ll admit, there are moments when I feel the way that I do while watching my kidʻs water polo match—trying to keep up, not always knowing exactly what’s happening—but completely drawn in by the energy, care, and commitment before me.

One main theme of the Merrie Monarch Festival is about sharing one’s gifts with authenticity and excellence. And in many ways, that same spirit is alive across our campuses right now.

We are entering the season of hōʻike (public performance and showcase of knowledge and skill).

Students are running for student government positions, presenting Capstones, public speaking as seniors to their peers, sharing projects, performing on stage, competing in significant athletic contests, and stepping into moments where their work is visible to others. These are meaningful milestones that often involve something that speaks to their ancestry and cultures, family history, personal passions, and advocacy for change—moments where preparation meets performance. Where vulnerability in sharing out loud and publicly meets pride and honor in something that matters.

And with those moments often come nerves.

That feeling in your stomach right before you step forward—whether to present, perform, or compete—is one we all know. It’s not something to avoid. In many ways, it’s a signal that what you’re about to do has meaning. Learning how to move through that feeling—how to channel it, steady yourself, and step forward anyway—is an important part of growth.

This is also where we, as adults, play an important role. Helping our children recognize what they are feeling. Giving them space to process. Supporting them as they prepare—not just to get through these moments, but to finish well.

Finishing strong is a skill. One we don’t always practice enough. But right now, across HPA, our students are learning how to do just that—bringing their work forward with intention, pride, and care. So as we move through these next few weeks, I offer a simple encouragement: Take a moment to notice the effort behind the performance. The preparation behind the presentation. The practice behind the excellence.

And if you have the chance, tune in to the Merrie Monarch Festival this weekend. It is a powerful reminder of what is possible when dedication, culture, and purpose come together.

Enjoy a wonder-filled weekend.

Gratefully,

Fred Wawner
Head of School

School Bulletins for the Week of 4/10/26

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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News & notes

Aloha Lower School ʻOhana!

Our new Lower School Student Council term has begun this week. How exciting for our new leaders to take on the work from our second trimester representatives, who initiated and planned a special community service event for Earth Day 2026, Wednesday, April 22, embodying all aspects of Mālama Kaiāulu. With generous support from the Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative, in collaboration with the Waimea Nature Park, our student leaders have organized an afternoon for us to work on the ʻaina together as a community. We will be digging, weeding, and preparing a designated area of the trail for planting trees. Our goal will be to create a new forest ecosystem in the Waimea Nature Park for all to enjoy!

Please join us in celebrating Earth Day by volunteering for this special community work event, led by Lower School Student Council Leaders, by filling out this form here. All interested students should have their parent/guardian fill out the form. We are seeking adult volunteers as well, so please indicate your interest directly.

Below is a special message from 5th grader Bo B., who is sharing his Capstone Project, a community-based food donation system designed to support those facing food insecurity. Rooted in the spirit of Mālama Kaiāulu, Bo’s work reflects a deep commitment to caring for our community. A meaningful aspect of this project is his desire to build on the foundation established by his older brother, Jace B. (6th grade), who first initiated the idea. Through Bo’s thoughtful expansion, this effort will continue to grow, creating even more opportunities to uplift and support those in need.

Dear HPA Families,

For my 5th grade capstone project, I am making a sustainable food donation system for the Village Campus community. The box is located next to the Community Center in front of Isaac’s Art Center. These food boxes are used for collecting food to give easy access to the hungry. These food boxes should only have non-perishable food in it. Families can help by adding food to the boxes at drop-off or pick-up. Students can also help by informing their families more about the food boxes and when they can donate.

Thank you for helping me feed the hungry!

Have a beautiful weekend, Lower School ʻOhana.

Me ka mahalo nui,

Dora Kwong
Lower School Principal

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Schedule

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

• April 14 –May 2: K-5 Wā Pilina Art Reception and Exhibits, Isaacs Art Gallery

• Saturday, April 25: Open House, Robotics at the Engineering Shed, Upper Campus, 4:00 to 6:00 pm

• Tuesday, April 28: ʻOhana Association Annual Spring Meeting & Parent Social, 4:30 to 6:30 pm, Upper Campus Energy Lab

• Friday, May 1: Lower School May Day, GPAC

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.

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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News & notes

Aloha Middle School Families,

This weekend I will be putting my sense of mālama to the test at the Hapalua Half Marathon in Honolulu. Over the years, running has become a way for me to stay healthy while also setting goals and working toward them with intention. This time around, I used a training app that tracked my progress and built a plan aligned to my goal. The twist was that it was also very honest with me. A few weeks ago, after some travel and family commitments interrupted my training, the app suggested I adjust my goal time. Like – “you are off pace.” Ego check. I ignored it once… maybe twice. But the data kept pointing in the same direction. Either adjust the goal or risk blowing up on race day. Eventually, the data won. Once I made the adjustment, I actually enjoyed the final stretch of training a lot more. We’ll see how it goes, but I can guarantee that I’ll enjoy the run!

I share this because I am seeing that same kind of thoughtful care and attention to detail in our students right now. In our Mauka to Makai class, 7th and 8th graders have created incredibly detailed 3D representations of indigenous Hawaiian species. From carefully crafting each sucker on the heʻe to stretching, painting, and texturing the feathers of the ʻalalā, students demonstrated patience, precision, and pride in their work. These pieces are now displayed in our Dining Hall, and they are well worth a look.

Our 8th graders are also showing how they mālama their Capstone projects through their detailed preparations ahead of their culminating presentations. This past week, students presented final drafts of their research and presentations, receiving detailed peer feedback using our Capstone rubrics. It has been inspiring to see how seriously they are taking both the process and the final product. For our 8th grade families, please review Capstone communications carefully and make plans to attend presentations on Wednesday, April 15. All projects will be on display in Hale ʻĪnana from 2:10 to 3:10 p.m. in an open format. It is truly a chance to see HPA at its best. Please scroll below for a direct message from our K-8 Capstone Coordinator, Mr. Dagan Bernstein.

Looking ahead, please keep these important dates in mind:

Thursday, April 23: NWEA MAP Growth Reading Assessment
Thursday, April 30: NWEA MAP Growth Math Assessment
Thursday, May 7: Middle School Performing Arts Showcase
Saturday, May 9: 8th Grade Dinner Dance at Anna’s Ranch

Thank you for your continued partnership and support.

Aloha,

Michael Cservenak
Middle School Principal

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4.23.26 Middle School Mega Lab Excursion