Week of 10/24/25

What's Happening at HPA This Week?

Message from the Head of School

Aloha HPA ʻohana,

There’s something to walking uphill every day. It’s a thing our students encounter all the time — sometimes without even realizing it — and it’s one of the most powerful teachers they’ll ever have.

This week has been a testament to the belief that hanging in there, trusting the process, and continuing to grind will ultimately deliver, even when gratification comes later than we think it should. It’s about celebrating the gift of hard.

Sure, there’s the physical side of it. Anyone who’s spent time on our Upper Campus knows that nearly every walk eventually turns uphill. And at the Village Campus, you’re always climbing stairs. Getting from one place to another at HPA often requires a steady grind in between. But what I’m really talking about is the mental side of hard — the discipline, resilience, and focus our students build through persistence. The small daily acts of effort that, over time, shape their character.

I’ve seen that spirit shine in several ways this past week in our athletics program — and I don’t think any of them were coincidences.

Take last Saturday’s football game. This year’s team is young and facing one of the tougher schedules we’ve seen in recent years. Each week has brought new challenges. Yet every Monday through Saturday, they’ve shown up. They’ve planned. They’ve prepared. They’ve worked. On Saturday, setback after setback came their way — injuries, momentum shifts, and moments that could have broken their focus. Still, they found a way — together — to score just a few more points than their opponent. The win was sweet, with a last-second 42-yard field goal. But even sweeter was the reminder that working through hard things and sticking together pays off. Effort doesn’t always guarantee success, but it is always a critical ingredient.

Then came Wednesday night’s BIIF Volleyball Championship. Our Ka Makani squad — also a young group — has the heart of champions, having won the last two titles. This time, though, the challenge was steep. Down two sets to one and behind 24–16 in the fourth set, our team was just one point away from defeat. As the crowd stood and clapped the traditional aloha point rhythm, our girls refused to fold. They fought off not one, not two, not three, not four, not five, not six, not seven, not eight but nine match points before winning the set and forcing a decisive fifth.

Parker School ultimately earned the well-deserved win and BIIF league title and I’m genuinely happy for them. Their program exhibits these same qualities of hard work, growth, and success. Yet, driving home after a tough loss, I couldn’t have been more energized by our team’s courage and resilience. It wasn’t about the final score; it was about heart, belief, and the strength that comes from pushing past what seems possible. I got to speak with the team yesterday and share with them how rare that kind of comeback is — something few ever experience. The focus, trust, and connection it takes to perform at that level under pressure is remarkable. It’s a moment that will be remembered by each of them, and most of us, for a long time.

Moments like these remind me why I love that our students are involved in so many things — and are pushed in so many ways. The “gift of hard” isn’t just about sports. It’s about how we show up in life. Whether it’s a student tackling a tough math problem, rehearsing for the fall musical, our seniors hiking up laʻe laʻe, or sitting for the PSATs today, each challenge builds strength of mind and spirit.

This weekend, our cross-country teams — HPA’s truest hill climbers and defending league champions (with the girls also reigning state champions) — will tackle one of Hawai‘i’s most legendary courses: their very own. The route winds past the iconic “Taj” and up a series of punishing inclines, testing runners across rugged terrain as they compete for BIIF Championship glory on home ground.

But here’s the beauty: we’re built for this. We climb hills every day. It’s who we are. There’s a saying I’ve come to love: “Be as strong as the land that raised you.” Here in Waimea, that strength is real. The hills (and the stairs), the wind, and the effort it takes to move through this place remind us that challenge isn’t something to avoid — it’s something to embrace.

This week, our students embodied that strength in their persistence, courage, and belief in one another. As I told our volleyball team, I’m not just proud of them; I’m proud to be one of them.

Have a safe, inspired, and wonder-filled weekend.

Gratefully,

Fred Wawner
Head of School

HPA FUND UPDATE

Mahalo to everyone who has already participated in the HPA Fund! Every gift—no matter the size—brings us closer to our goal and strengthens the experience for every student. The effort continues as we aim for 100% participation across all classes. Haven’t joined in yet? There’s still time! Help your class reach the top of the leaderboard and make your impact today.

Make your gift

School Bulletins for the Week of 10/24/25

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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Pilina: Weekly Highlights Connecting Us on Campus

Bringing together highlights, stories, and connections from across our Lower School community this week.

Aloha Lower School ʻOhana!

Mahalo for visiting with our faculty during Parent-Teacher Conferences. We know this is an investment of your time, and we hope you found them fruitful and informative. These meetings offer an important window into the learning journey your child is on and underscore the family-school collaboration that ensures your child(ren)ʻs success. Our students will continue working toward their academic and social-emotional goals throughout the rest of the second quarter, and you will read about their progress in their winter academic report, which will be released at the start of Winter Break. As always, please feel free to connect with any of your child(ren)’s teachers at any time.

• Spirit Week: Next week is Spirit Week! Lower School and Middle School align together on these days and we are excited to show our school spirit together! As a reminder, participation is completely optional. These Student Council-led days continue to be regular school days with our normal classes and academic learning, just with a bit of flair and enthusiasm! Read the descriptions carefully and reach out to your grade-level teacher with any questions.

• Library: Mrs. Tarnas has a special thank you for all who contributed to the book fair, with an update on earnings and a photo album. Our HeluHelu Quiz Bowl participants continue to meet regularly under her guidance, and our library classes have engaged in learning on censorship, among other topics. Please feel welcome to browse our library with your keiki any day after school. Mrs. Tarnas is always happy to help students select “just right” books for their independent reading. Take a look here for all our library updates.

• Lower School Specialists Newsletters: Speaking of newsletters, our Lower School Specialists share quarterly newsletters to keep you informed of the amazing learning taking place. Please take a moment to check myHPA and review them. Here is the link to the “How to login to myHPA” video with instructions.

• Harvest Fete: Join us for our Harvest Fete, coming up after school on Friday, November 7. Our annual harvest season community gathering has become a time we all look forward to, to celebrate the season, gather as an ʻohana, enjoy some yummy food, and join in good cheer.

Have a beautiful weekend, Lower School ʻOhana!

Me ka mahalo nui,

Dora Kwong
Lower School Principal

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4.9.26 Lower School with UC Capstone_Dylan Vincent_Gyotaku Painting Demo

Schedule

Our K-5 classes continue with in-person instruction on our Village Campus on Monday, October 27.

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

• Monday, October 27 – Friday, October 31: Spirit Week

• Monday, November 3: Winter After School Term Begins

• Wednesday, November 26 – Friday, November 28: Thanksgiving Holiday, no classes

• Monday, December 1: K-8 Faculty Work Day, no classes

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.

Spirit Week Photo Dump Challenge — Win a $25 Ka Makani Gift Card!

Get ready to show off your Spirit Week style! Starting on Monday, October 27 you can participate in our Spirit Week Photo Dump Challenge for all HPA students and faculty— with a chance to win a $25 gift card to the Ka Makani Café & Bookstore!

How to Enter:

Take a photo of yourself or your child’s Spirit Week outfit each day.
Send your photo to us via Instagram DM at @hawaiiprep or email marcomm@hpa.edu
Be sure to include your name or your child’s name.
Each photo = 1 raffle entry (limit: one entry per person, per day).

Who Can Participate:

All HPA K-12 students and faculty are eligible.
Parents may submit on behalf of students.
Parents with multiple HPA students may submit one photo per child per day.

Photo submissions are due by Saturday, November 1. The winner will be announced on Monday, November 3.

Please note: By submitting a photo, you are giving permission for it to be featured on the HPA Instagram page.

We can’t wait to see your Spirit Week looks! Be sure to follow along on Instagram @hawaiiprep

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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Pilina: Weekly Highlights Connecting Us on Campus

Bringing together highlights, stories, and connections from across our Middle School community this week.

Aloha Middle School Families,

Thank you for an incredible couple of days of parent-teacher conferences. I am so thankful for each of you and the supportive mindset you brought to the meetings with our teachers. The time goes by quickly, and it is my hope, as the building leader, that each of you has a stronger sense of the instructional curriculum and approaches, the learning environments, and the academic growth and performance of your children.

We have an exciting Spirit Week coming up and there are many opportunities to support our ʻOhana Association in their decorating efforts for Halloween on Thursday and Friday. You can sign up to support (either by donation of treats or helping decorate) here.

Here are our Spirit Days:

Monday, October 27: Pajama Day
Tuesday, October 28: Dream Job Day
Wednesday, October 29: Wacky Wednesday
Thursday, October 30: Advisory Match Day
Friday, October 31: Halloween Costume Day

The next four weeks are an opportunity for academic immersion and engagement along with some of our cherished traditions and demonstrations of learning:

Following Spirit Week, our garden and art programs host the Pinch Pot Harvest Fête on November 7.
The 8th Grade Hiki Nō Showcase will be held on Thursday, November 13 at GPAC
Lower School and Middle School Makahiki Games are hosted here at the Village Campus on November 24 and 25.

Each event above features cross-curricular demonstrations of learning that align to our classroom instruction and goals.

These four weeks also represent some of the most academically rigorous weeks of instruction for the first semester, so please prioritize daily attendance to all classes for your students.

HPA is a place to learn like nowhere else.

With gratitude and excitement,

Michael Cservenak
Middle School Principal

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