Upper Campus

The HPA Upper Campus comprises 220 acres in the foothills of the Kohala Mountains and is home to the Upper School (grades 9 to 12 and postgraduate). The campus opened in 1959, with core buildings designed by renowned mid-century architect Vladimir Ossipoff. Our campus remains the largest single collection of Ossipoff buildings. Facilities include 22 classrooms, a performing arts center, visual arts center, science laboratories, three residence halls, one smaller house-dorm, and the technology-rich Energy Lab.

Many of our campus spaces and facilities are available for rental by local groups or visiting organizations. For information on rentals, contact our auxiliary services office at auxiliary@hpa.edu or (808) 881-4088.

View Upper School Campus Map

Academics

Department Buildings
Designed by Vladimir Ossipoff, our core classroom buildings still exemplify the elegance of local materials and the simplicity and efficiency of pioneering green design. Five buildings house English, social studies, modern languages, science, and mathematics.

John Dyer Memorial Library
Also designed by Ossipoff, the library common room overlooks campus with beautiful views of Mauna Kea. In addition to traditional and digital reference sources, the library houses a rare Hawaiiana literature and art collection. Multiple first-year introductory courses, as well as select English Language Learner (ELL) classes, meet in the library classrooms. The college counseling office is housed here as well.

Energy lab, upper school campus at HPA

The Michael and Jeannette Saalfeld P ’14, ’17, Energy Lab
The lab provides faculty mentors and dedicated workspace that foster student-driven research in many disciplines. Over the years, students in the Energy Lab have partnered with organizations like NASA, NOAA, the W.M. Keck Observatory, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, and Stanford and Cornell Universities. It is LEED certified and functions as a zero-net-energy, fully sustainable building. The lab includes a large, central collaboration and fabrication area, smaller project rooms, adjacent classrooms, and outdoor learning space, along with abundant technology tools.

Ulu Mālama Terrace Farm
Central to our place-based methodology, Ulu Mālama strives to be a model of sustainable agriculture, offering positive solutions to some of today’s most pressing ecological concerns. The work of the farm is to honor and learn from the rich traditions of those who cared for this land before us while also exploring modern innovations in regenerative agriculture. The farm is open to all teachers, and it is used for many interdisciplinary activities.

Arts

Gerry Clark Art Center, upper school campus at HPA

Gerry Clark Art Center
The center features a spacious, open air main studio, a ceramics room and kiln, and a photographic studio equipped with lights and backgrounds. The facility displays student work in every medium and supports a wide variety of activities, from traditional classroom instruction, to student independent projects, to portfolio presentation and critique. Photography and film classes are held in the technology building.

Davenport Music Center, upper school campus at HPA

Davenport Music Center
The center sits adjacent to the Gates Performing Arts Center and is devoted to music instruction and development. The Upper School chorus, pops and jazz ensemble, and music classes meet here, as well as musical theatre rehearsals. Multiple practice rooms and instruments are available to students during school and after-school hours.

Gates Performing Artc Center (GPAC), upper school campus at HPA

Gates Performing Arts Center
The center (GPAC) seats 360 people and is home to roughly 10 productions a year from the Lower, Middle, and Upper School performing arts programs. Weekly Upper School assemblies are held here as well, along with a host of other HPA and community events. GPAC features a proscenium-style stage and hosts multiple arts classes in the backstage classrooms. It also includes a scene shop area, dressing rooms, costume closets, and a sprung dance floor with full-length mirrors. The theater is outfitted with a state-of-the-art surround-sound system and a 4k laser projection system.

Campus Life

Davies Chapel, upper school campus at HPA

Davies Chapel
Designed by Vladimir Ossipoff, Davies Chapel is considered one of his most original architectural achievements. We hold non-denominational events here throughout the year, including student and faculty meditations, guest lectures, holiday concerts, and convocations. It is used most heavily by the Upper School, but also by the Middle and Lower Schools. The chapel seats 375 and includes a choir loft.

Ko Kākou Hale, upper school campus at HPA

Ko Kākou Hale
Opened in 2004, this multi-story student union was designed for enjoyment and relaxation outside of class. With floor-to-ceiling windows and airy décor, this is a welcoming place for ping-pong, club meetings, ice cream parties, school dances, and just hanging out. The school store is located here, offering snacks and HPA gear.

Kennedy Square, upper school campus at HPA

Kennedy Square
Adjacent to Ko Kākou Hale and the dining hall, this open-air courtyard buzzes with activity throughout the day. Many students eat lunch under the solar panel “trees,” and it is a frequent meeting spot for students and teachers. Campus events are often held here on weekends or special occasions.

Taylor Commons Dining Hall, upper school campus at HPA

Taylor Commons Dining Hall
Another Ossipoff-designed building, the dining hall serves our entire Upper School community for lunch, and the boarding community for all meals. It is the scene of festive campus events, such as International Day and boarding community formal dinners.

Waiaka House, upper school campus at HPA

Wai‘aka House
We use Wai‘aka House for class retreats and special events; it also serves rental groups throughout the year. Formerly a ranch house, the structure still reflects ranch-style elements and includes a social area and large kitchen. The complex also includes a nearby cottage, also with its own kitchen and bathrooms. All together, the buildings can house a total of 28 people.

Residence Halls, dorms, upper school campus at HPA

Residence Halls
Vladimir Ossipoff designed three classic mid-century residence halls for HPA: Perry-Fiske, Robertson, and Carter. These buildings feature bright and airy common rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, dorm faculty apartments, student rooms, newly-renovated bathrooms, and on-site laundry. Our residence halls are homey, congenial places that foster lifelong friendships and where international students live side-by-side with U.S. students from Hawai‘i and the mainland.

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Athletics

Castle Gymnasium, upper school campus at HPA

Castle Gymnasium
The gym includes volleyball and basketball courts, wrestling room, locker rooms, and the athletic training room. It’s the home of many hard-won contest and Ka Makani championships. We also hold big, all-school events here, like the HPA Olympics and graduation.

Nakamaru Fitness Center, upper school campus at HPA

Nakamaru Fitness Center
The Nakamaru Fitness Center serves the fitness and training needs of varsity athletes as well as the wider HPA community. Equipped with treadmills, stationary bikes, and multi-purpose weight machines, it houses our strength and conditioning program, run by a dedicated coach who assists both teams and individuals.

Herbert M. and Laura N. Dowsett Pool, upper school campus at HPA

Herbert M. and Laura N. Dowsett Pool
We have an outdoor, heated, 12-lane, 25-yard pool with two one-meter diving boards. A pool manager supervises during lap times and classes. In addition to HPA students, local residents also train here through the Academy Swim Club.

Rutgers Tennis Center, upper school campus at HPA

Rutgers Tennis Center
Our tennis center includes four indoor courts, ball machine, and a pro shop. The facility serves HPA students as well as our surrounding communities. More information for local residents at http://rutgerstennis.com

Stanford W. Shutes Track, upper school campus at HPA

Stanford W. Shutes Track
Renovated and dedicated in 2009, the Stanford W. Shutes Track surrounds the soccer and football fields. Many track and field meets are hosted here, and it is open to the community throughout the day. From our mountain foothill location, the track offers spectacular sunset views following afternoon sports commitments.

Fields and Courses, upper school campus at HPA

Fields and Courses
Separate playing fields serve football, softball, soccer, and baseball. Our cross-country course is considered the most challenging in the state, with a 3.1 mile route that winds through campus at multiple elevations. Our equestrian program maintains a stadium jumping area, dressage area, and a polo field.