Our history department is one of my favorites, every teacher has something special about them and such incredible wisdom to share with anyone who asks. They truly make sure each one of us succeeds.”
—Maile Lawson ’19, UCLA
Our social studies department will feed your curiosity about nations, cultures, historic moments, and what it means to be human. Courses span a wide range of topics, from economics to U.S. History to Hawaiian mythology. As you move through the core curriculum and into specialized electives, you will gain core skills for university-level analysis, writing, and presentation. These skills include effective note-taking; critical analysis of texts for quality of evidence, bias, and argumentation; persuasive communication, whether written, oral, or through digital media; and the ability to collaborate with peers and adults.
Our goal is to give you the tools for informed civic participation, independence of thought, and responsible global citizenship. With an appreciation of history’s complexity and the ability to participate in civil discourse, you will be better prepared for success and service—with your friends, your community, and eventually out in the world beyond HPA.
Have questions? Contact our Registrar, Monica Hattoon-Green, at mhattoon-green@hpa.edu.
Featured class
Hawaiian Studies: Ke Aloha ʻĀina Honors
This honors-level course deepens students’ understanding of aloha ʻāina through research-driven, project-based, and experiential learning as they engage with moʻolelo, oral histories, Hawaiian language newspapers, historical maps, and field experiences to examine how aloha ʻāina has shaped political movements, environmental stewardship, and cultural identity over time while practicing it through meaningful engagement with Hawaiʻi’s land, history, and communities.
