Week of 5/29/26
What's Happening at HPA This Week?
Message from the Head of School
Aloha HPA ʻohana,
Another school year has come to a close, and as I do every May, I find myself wondering: where did the time go?!
The familiar energy and rhythm of our campuses have shifted. Students have headed home for summer adventures, graduation celebrations have concluded, and the daily hustle has given way to quieter hallways, faculty finalizing grades, and staff wrapping up the many projects that sustain and strengthen our school. It is always a reflective time of year — one filled with gratitude, pride, and anticipation for what lies ahead.
For the last few years, I have had the privilege of addressing our graduating class during Commencement Exercises. Last week, I had the opportunity to share these thoughts with the remarkable Class of 2026.
In our 76th year, the Class of 2026 leaves behind another extraordinary legacy and a strong foundation upon which HPA will continue to grow. We are deeply grateful for the many ways this class cared for one another, contributed to our community, and embraced this place with purpose, joy, and aloha.
And while each graduating class moves on to new adventures, one of the gifts of schools is the reminder that the work continues. Another group of students will soon arrive on campus for the first time. Teachers will begin preparing classrooms once again. Coaches will gather teams. Advisors will reconnect with students. Wood will be chopped. Water will be carried.
In a time that often feels uncertain, I have never been more certain of the strength of our mission or the people who bring it to life each day.
Mahalo for your partnership, your trust, and your commitment to HPA. We wish all of our students, families, faculty, and staff a summer filled with rest, adventure, connection, and wonder.
We look forward to welcoming you back home in the fall.
I wish you a wonder-filled and rejuvenating summer!
Gratefully,
Fred Wawner
Head of School
School Bulletins for the Week of 5/29/26
Summer at HPA
Bringing our HPA ʻohana together all summer long with joyful days on campus, meaningful connections, and memories that last well beyond summer. Spaces are still available — register now!
Aloha HPA ʻOhana,
Summer is almost here, and we would love for your family to join us for another season of fun, connection, and learning at HPA.
Our summer programs offer students the opportunity to explore new interests, build friendships, stay active, and enjoy HPA’s beautiful campus in a relaxed and welcoming environment. From engaging classroom experiences to outdoor adventures and creative activities, there is something for every student to enjoy.
Whether your child is returning for another summer or joining us for the first time, our team is excited to welcome them and help create a memorable experience.
Registration is open, and we encourage families to sign up soon. We hope to see you on campus this summer!
Warmly,
The HPA Summer Team
Ka Makani Keiki Camp (ages 5-10)
1-week sessions starting Monday, June 15 to Friday, July 24, 2026
Summer at HPA invites rising kindergarteners through fifth-graders to explore the gifts of Hawaiʻi Island. From mauka (mountain-side) to makai (ocean-side), students participate in the creative arts, science, games, gardening, hiking along our majestic hills and mountains, and discovering the wonders of the sea. Our many activities promote go-green concepts and the importance of working collaboratively to sustain our natural environment.
Summer Academies (ages 11-17)
June 22 to July 17, 2026 (boarding students on campus June 20 to July 18)
Do you have a passion you want to pursue? Check out our specialized four-week Academies. These full-day Academies are designed for day and boarding middle/high school students, ages 11 to 17, to focus on an area of passion while working with experts in the field while also enjoying all of the fun things that Hawai‘i Island has to offer.
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.
News & notes
Aloha Lower School ʻOhana!
As we reach the end of another incredible school year, we reflect with gratitude on the growth, discovery, and memorable moments we have shared together. The final days of school are always filled with emotion as we celebrate how much our children have learned, grown, and accomplished over the past ten months.
Our final Lower School assembly, the annual Gratitude Assembly, was a heartfelt conclusion to the year. Led by our 5th graders, the assembly beautifully reflected the values we strive to cultivate in our students: gratitude, reflection, leadership, and care for others.
Hoku O. and Rylee Jaye M. guided our community through a Yoga Nidra-inspired mindfulness practice before each 5th grader offered personal words of appreciation to faculty, staff, and administrators. Student Council leaders Emily B. and Kalaniumi C. shared a heartfelt farewell to Mrs. Monello, and the class concluded the assembly with a moving performance of Man in the Mirror. We are incredibly proud of our rising 6th graders, for sharing poise, purpose, and heart. We wish them every success as they begin their Middle School journey.
This year brought many moments worth celebrating—from student performances and service projects to robotics competitions, outdoor learning experiences, Wā Pilina partnerships, and countless examples of daily growth in classrooms across campus. Together, these experiences helped our students strengthen not only their academic skills, but also their confidence, character, and sense of belonging.
As students begin their summer break, our faculty finish this week writing reports, reflecting on the year, and engaging in professional learning. We are grateful for their unwavering commitment to growth and excellence in teaching.
Information about the release of Lower School reports on myHPA will be shared soon. We encourage families to review reports together, celebrating accomplishments while identifying goals for the year ahead.
As technology use often increases during the summer months, we also encourage families to review the digital wellness resources included here as part of your summer planning.
Looking Ahead
As we say aloha to this school year, we also recognize several transitions within our Lower School community.
Mrs. Vanessa Kalama will return to her Educational Assistant role, and we are excited to welcome Ms. Ilura Love as our new 2nd Grade Teacher. With Ms. Mellon Monello’s transition to the mainland, Mr. Corbin Doak will assume the role of K–8 Educational Technologist. We are also pleased to welcome Ms. Grace Younger as our newest Educational Assistant. Here is a bit more about Grace!
Grace Younger was born and raised in the Bay Area and recently made Hawaiʻi home after graduating from Chapman University with a degree in Strategic and Corporate Communication and Leadership Themed Inquiry. Over the past few years, she has led elementary students through after-school and enrichment programs at Punahou School, on Oahu, where she loves creating fun, supportive spaces for kids to learn and grow. She is widely regarded as a kind and patient educator who demonstrates initiative and communicates thoughtfully and effectively. She is described by others as a “well-respected teammate, great leader, and supervisor,” as well as “task-oriented, responsive and responsible.”Outside of work, Grace enjoys paddling, running, shelling at the beach, and spending time in the ocean. She is very excited to contribute to the entire HPA school community. Please join me in welcoming Grace in the fall 2026!
One of the most exciting milestones ahead is the launch of our new Village Pre-K at HPA. This pre-kindergarten learning opportunity has been years in the making and represents the collective efforts of many dedicated individuals across our school. Mahalo to our Board of Trustees, our Head of School, Business Office, Admissions Team, Auxiliary Programs, Maintenance Department, Marketing and Communications Team, faculty, staff, school leaders, families, and community members whose hard work, creativity, support, and collaboration have brought this vision to life. We are thrilled to welcome our youngest learners to campus this fall and begin a new chapter in the life of the Village Campus.
Our hiring committees remain actively engaged in the search for a second Pre-K teacher and a Lower School Hawaiian Studies teacher. We look forward to sharing updates as those processes conclude.
Summer Opportunity
DNA Basketball Camp
June 15–19 | 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
HPA Upper Campus Gym
Ages 7–12 | Open to all participants
Please see the attached flyer for registration and contact information.
Until We Meet Again
As we close the 2025–2026 school year, I am reminded once again that schools are ultimately about people and relationships. The partnership between families, faculty, staff, and students creates the conditions for children to flourish—not only as learners, but as thoughtful, capable, and compassionate young people.
Please accept my warmest wishes to you and your ʻohana for a joyful and restorative summer. May this season provide opportunities to rest, explore, reconnect, and create lasting memories together.
Mahalo nui loa for your continued partnership and trust. It is a true privilege to work alongside you in support of your wonderful children.
Me ka mahalo nui,
Dora Kwong
Lower School Principal
Key Dates
We encourage all families to check out the list of Key Dates for the 2026-2027 school year that can also be located on the Lower School Family Resources tile located in myHPA.
Summer at HPA
Summer is right around the corner—don’t forget to check out our Summer at HPA offerings!
We’re excited to offer a variety of programs for all ages, including our Baseball Camp (June 1–4) for ages 8–14, led by Coach Jeremy Lustik, as well as our Swim Lesson Program, which features multiple levels with flexible times and dates throughout the summer.
Spots are limited and filling quickly!
For more information or to secure your spot, please email summer@hpa.edu.
We look forward to another amazing summer!
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.
News & notes
Aloha Middle School Families,
It is certainly quieter here at the Village Campus with our Middle School students off for the summer. As we reflect on the close of the school year, our entire community remains deeply grateful to the 8th grade team for creating such a meaningful and memorable Transition Ceremony. Highlights included a thoughtful featured student speech from Tulsi Quayle, who reflected on her journey at the Village Campus since Kindergarten, and heartfelt closing remarks from Ms. Mallory Di Bartolo. The Class of 2030 is a truly special group of young adults, and while they will be greatly missed here at the Village Campus, we are excited to see all they accomplish at the Upper Campus and beyond. Our faculty are proud of each of our 8th graders and each year, students and teachers weigh in to award extra recognition to a small group of students who have demonstrated our Core Values to an exceptional extent. With so many excellent students, it can be hard for the team to make the final decisions, but our whole school community feels confident in recognizing the following 8th graders for their time at the Village Campus:
Respect: Eliot DiBartolo and Kenzi Gustavson
Integrity: Kaia Loo and Cole Hoover
Pursuit of Excellence: Savannah Sunhara and Gabriella Brown
Wonder: Natalie McDowell and Kalvin Strittmatter
I am also proud to share the 7th grade podcast project, Conservation Chronicles.
This 7th Grade Science podcast series explores what makes Hawaiʻi’s ecosystems so valuable and how we can help protect them. From native forests and watersheds to coral reefs and marine life, each episode highlights the interconnected environments that sustain our islands and the people working to preserve them.
The project represents the culmination of an authentic, inquiry-based learning journey guided by 7th Grade Science teacher Mrs. Mitchell, Educational Technologist Ms. Monello, and Librarian Ms. Tarnas. Students researched conservation experts, developed interview questions, conducted live interviews, and crafted original three-act podcast narratives using curated audio clips from their conversations. As you listen, please remember that these podcasts represent authentic student work. While there may be small imperfections along the way, we are incredibly proud of the creativity, growth, and effort demonstrated throughout the process.
Looking ahead, families of rising 7th and 8th graders will receive an elective preference form within the next week. This process allows students and families to share preferences for elective courses in the 2026–27 school year. Our goal is always to provide students with a balanced and enriching elective experience over the course of their middle school years.
Mahalo for your partnership, support, and care throughout this school year.
Aloha,
Michael Cservenak
Middle School Principal
Key Dates
We encourage all families to check out the list of Key Dates for the 2026-2027 school year that can also be located on the Middle School Family Resource Board.
Summer at HPA
Summer is right around the corner—don’t forget to check out our Summer at HPA offerings!
We’re excited to offer a variety of programs for all ages, including our Baseball Camp (June 1–4) for ages 8–14, led by Coach Jeremy Lustik, as well as our Swim Lesson Program, which features multiple levels with flexible times and dates throughout the summer.
Spots are limited and filling quickly!
For more information or to secure your spot, please email summer@hpa.edu.
We look forward to another amazing summer!
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, 2025-2026’.
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’.
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.
News & notes
Aloha Upper School Families,
As we close the 2025–26 school year, we pause with deep gratitude and pride for a community that continually demonstrates care, resilience, and a commitment to one another. This year, and especially in recent weeks, we have been reminded that education is never solely about courses completed, grades earned, or milestones reached—it is equally about relationships, growth, perseverance, and the people who walk alongside our students.
We celebrate the Class of 2026—graduates who have navigated challenges, embraced opportunities, and contributed meaningfully to the life of Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy. They leave with accomplishments worth recognizing and, perhaps more importantly, with experiences that have shaped their character, compassion, curiosity, and a deeper understanding of their place in the world. We hope they move forward carrying with them HPA’s values of Integrity, Respect, Pursuit of Excellence, and Wonder, while remaining grounded in the relationships and lessons built here.
Our gratitude extends to the faculty and staff of the Upper School, whose work often happens quietly and consistently—through encouragement before assessments, thoughtful feedback, extra hours supporting activities, listening during difficult moments, and creating classrooms where students feel challenged, welcomed, and known. The impact of educators is rarely measured in a single year; it unfolds across lifetimes. Thank you for the care, creativity, and dedication you bring to our students each day.
To our families, thank you for your trust, partnership, advocacy, and unwavering support. Graduation is never the accomplishment of students alone. Behind each graduate are family members, guardians, relatives, and supporters who provided rides, reassurance, patience, perspective, and love. We recognize the many unseen sacrifices that help young people reach this milestone.
We also wish to acknowledge the tremendous efforts behind our senior celebrations. A heartfelt thank you to the Grad Night Committee, chaired by Chris Collinson, for helping create meaningful opportunities for connection and celebration during this important transition. We are equally grateful to the many individuals who supported these efforts, including class leaders Robyn Scarth, Laura Swarz-Burt, and Pualani Lincoln Maielua, among many others who contributed their time and energy to honoring the senior class. These experiences reflect what makes HPA special: a community willing to invest in students beyond the classroom and to create spaces where students feel seen, celebrated, and connected.
As we concluded Baccalaureate and Commencement, we were reminded that learning and growth do not end with graduation. The future our graduates step into will require adaptability, courage, empathy, and creativity. Success will not come only from following established paths, but often from imagining new ones.
Author and producer Rick Rubin writes, “Living life as an artist is a practice. You are either engaging in the practice or you’re not.” Creativity, in this sense, extends far beyond art—it is how we solve problems, build relationships, lead with compassion, and shape communities. We hope our graduates leave HPA understanding that they each have the ability—and responsibility—to create lives of meaning, curiosity, and contribution.
To the Class of 2026: your story at HPA may be concluding, but your influence here remains. We look forward to seeing the lives you build, the questions you ask, the people you support, and the ways you shape the world around you. May you continue to approach life with wonder, pursue excellence with humility, and create boldly.
On behalf of the Upper School, thank you to everyone—students, families, faculty, staff, volunteers, and supporters—who helped make this year possible.
With appreciation and pride,
Mark Noetzel
Assistant Head of School for Upper School
Key Dates
We encourage all families to check out the list of Key Dates for the 2026-2027 school year that can also be located on the Upper School Family Resources tile located in myHPA.
Student Support
Should your child need additional learning or counseling support, we encourage you to reach out to:
- US Learning Specialist: Spencer Williams at swilliams@hpa.edu
- US Counselor: Tiffany Freitas at tfreitas@hpa.edu or 808-881-4038
- US Counselor: Steve Furchner at sfurchner@hpa.edu or 808-881-4038
Ka Makani Travel
Labor Day Weekend September, 2026
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Thanksgiving Break November, 2026
San Diego & Los Angeles led by Ms. White & Ms. Scarth
Oʻahu
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park & Hilo led by Mr. Ford & Ms. Tadaki
January Long Weekend, 2027
Oʻahu led by Ms. White & Ms. Sebastian
February Long Weekend, 2027
Glamping on Maui led by Ms. White & Ms. Atoa
Spring Break March, 2027
Japan: Land of the Rising Sun with EF Tours led by Mrs. Inaba & Mr. Piercy
New Zealand led by Ms. White, Ms. Kight, Mr. Ford & Mr. Moltz
Spring Break March, 2028
Europe at Leisure with Sorrento Extension with EF Tours
Thailand with Rustic Pathways
To express interest in joining any of the trips planned, please complete this form: Travel Survey
Please contact Ka Makani Travel Coordinator Adrienne White (awhite@hpa.edu) for information regarding travel eligibility and registration.
Residential Life
At the conclusion of this school year, we wish to say one final “a hui hou” to our graduates- some have been with us since Kindergarten, others only joined us this year- all of you have had an impact. Boarding student or day, every time one of you participated in our community, signed out a boarder, took a swing at a Wawner pitch on Tuesday Night softball, attended a dance, came to Open Gym, or just hung out around campus- you helped create and maintain our community, and the friendships within it. Thank you.
As we look ahead to next year, I simply want to remind our families of our School Breaks and Travel Infographic, which contains all of the information you need to plan your child’s travel to and from school throughout the 2026-2027 school year. Please make sure to review this information before purchasing tickets to and from the island for school. Any late arrivals or early departures should be communicated in advance.
We wish you all a restful, joyful, engaging, relaxing, and wonderful summer! We look forward to seeing all of our returning students in August!
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, 2025-2026.
Whom to Contact at HPA
If you are unsure whom 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.
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’.
All-School
Need to know information for our entire Ka Makani ʻohana.
Isaacs Art Center
Isaacs Art Center is free and open to the public, Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 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.
Summer at HPA Enrollment is Now Open!
Summer is right around the corner—don’t forget to check out our Summer at HPA offerings!
We’re excited to offer a variety of programs for all ages, including our Baseball Camp (June 1–4) for ages 8–14, led by Coach Jeremy Lustik, as well as our Swim Lesson Program, which features multiple levels with flexible times and dates throughout the summer.
Spots are limited and filling quickly!
For more information or to secure your spot, please email summer@hpa.edu.
We look forward to another amazing summer!
Admissions
The admissions office is busy with final enrollment for the upcoming academic year. Please reach out to the office with any questions in this area admissions@hpa.edu . We are happy to assist!
Safety Protocols
Campus Access
Campus access is limited to current students, employees, essential contractors, and approved guests. 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.
If a family member of a student needs to meet with a faculty, staff, or administrative team member, please contact them to arrange a meeting on 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. Follow up with your supervisor ASAP.
- Anything out of the ordinary: email Dan Wilkinson, HPA Security Supervisor at dwilkinson@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.