Leadership

Fred Wawner was unanimously appointed by the Board of Trustees as the 13th Head of School for Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy in August of 2022. Fred began his tenure as the interim Head of School in June of 2021, and immediately demonstrated extraordinary leadership by skillfully guiding HPA through a uniquely demanding period.

Wawner joined the HPA ʻohana in 2009 as the Director of Student Life with a focus on the Residential Life program. Applying his background in academics, student life, residential life, and admissions, Wawner provided critical leadership in developing new programming in student wellness, residential programming, and character education. As a member of the school’s Strategic Planning team, he also helped develop the school’s core values and has been instrumental in the accreditation process for HPA.

Wawner moved to Hawaiʻi with 14 years of experience working at two other residential schools in Virginia, where he was born and raised and went on to earn a master’s degree in education with a focus on special education from Old Dominion University. He and his wife, Dina, have four children — son, William (Bear), who graduated with the HPA Class of 2022; and daughters, Ali ‘23, Fischer ‘25, and Rosey ‘27.

His goal is to continue moving forward with attention to HPA’s Strategic and Sustainability plans, as we grow and excel as an institution. Wawner’s immediate objectives are to ensure HPA experiences organizational stability and to establish a work plan which will provide transparency and the ability to evaluate our progress and direction along the way.

“I am deeply honored by the appointment and committed to achieving the high standards set forth by the Board and expected by the HPA ʻohana,” said Wawner. “I believe wholeheartedly in HPA’s vision of embracing the unique environment and culture of Hawaiʻi Island by designing student experiences of unparalleled depth and scope to empower responsible global citizens to create, lead and thrive in tomorrow’s world. My family and I are committed to Hawaiʻi and will work to broaden the school’s service to our island home and our special Waimea and school community.”

“To be named the Head of School at HPA is an amazing privilege,” Wawner said. “I care deeply about the school, its history, its traditions, the people here now, and the people who came before who made this place special. I will work hard to uphold and build on the many positive things HPA has meant to this community and the pathways it has opened for students and families.”