Week of 3/28/25
What's Happening at HPA This Week?
Message from the Head of School
Aloha HPA ʻohana,
Back at it. Structure, sleep, and handling hard better.
Over Spring Break, my brother and sister-in-law visited with their three young children— boys ages 6, 4, and 2. As you can imagine, our house was buzzing with excitement, energy, and noise. Lots of noise. Jet-lagged and up and at ‘em wrestling on the trampoline each morning, our days were filled with the joys (and challenges) of diving back into the lifestyle required to parent little ones: meal times that start early and seem to be continuous throughout the day, crucial nap times that we paid dearly for when missed, countless — and I mean countless — rapid-fire questions about everything from why bugs fly to how much sand is at Hāpuna beach, and bath and bedtime routines that were not negotiations, but did feel a little like arbitration.
Generally speaking, the ever-present struggle to keep some structure amid the chaos was real. Add in more cousins (my own brood), time differences, and some good old-fashioned sunburn, and most every minute of the seven-day visit required an all-hands on deck approach. Watching my younger sibling and spouse manage the delicate balance of schedules, expectations, excitement, and patience reminded me just how much children thrive on routine — even when they resist it. Inspired, with a healthy mix of “How in the world did we ever do that?” Dina and I would fade away quietly exhausted each evening at around 8:05 p.m.
Now, as we return to school after two weeks away, many students (and adults!) are feeling the weight of getting back into early mornings, academic demands, and structured days. That shift from relaxation to routine can be tough, but it’s also a powerful reminder of the value of daily rhythm and balance. Years later, I find myself turning back to Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman’s book, Nurture Shock, which highlights two critical components in child and human development, structure and sleep. Their research reveals that consistent routines and adequate rest are key to cognitive function, emotional regulation, and overall well-being. Just as my young nephews relied on predictable rhythms (even when they fought against them), our students benefit from regular sleep patterns, clear expectations, and organized learning environments. This goes for all of us, from our youngest kinders to our oldest seniors in the residence halls. We all need structure and we all need sleep!
Another of my go to’s this time of year is Coach Kara Lawson’s lesson on handling hard better— (I’ve got a few more days in March Madness!) Coach Lawson emphasizes that success isn’t just about working hard, but about embracing challenges, staying focused under pressure, and showing up even when motivation is low in order to grind through the hard things. “If you have a meaningful pursuit in life, it will never be easy.” Coach also acknowledges that life is hard, and things only get harder. In fact, and I love this part the most, “handling hard better” is often rewarded with even more difficult challenges. How great is that?! What a gift!
There are so many connections with handing hard better and taking the advice of Bronson and Merryman around child development. Parenting is hard. Setting and holding standards, giving in to others’ needs and structures in order to support their development, is darn tough. The older they get, the bigger the challenge. We know this, but sometimes we look for shortcuts. Playing the long game is the harder deal. But I see the positives play out everyday through our young people. Let’s keep committing to doing the work. Last night, our home was a good deal quieter – and we immediately missed the extra activity.
As we settle into the final stretch of the school year, let’s encourage our students to embrace the challenge, trust the process, and commit to doing hard work well — with the structure and rest that make success not just possible, but probable.
Happy Aloha Friday!
Gratefully,
Fred Wawner
Head of School
School Bulletins for the Week of 3/28/25
Lower School
Each week, Lower School Principal Dora Kwong writes a message to K-5 families highlighting joyful moments and meaningful lessons and offering a glimpse into what students and parents can plan for in the weeks ahead.
From the desk of your Division Principal, Dora Kwong
Aloha Lower School families!
With mixed emotions, we announce that one of our beloved Lower School faculty members, Carolyn White ‘79, will retire from HPA at the end of this academic year.
Carolyn has served as our second-grade teacher since the 2000–2001 school year, bringing with her a deep well of experience, creativity, and dedication. Over the past 24 years, she has touched the lives of countless students and families, shaping young minds with warmth, patience, and an unwavering commitment to each child’s growth.
A proud alumna of HPA, Class of 1979, Carolyn returned to her alma mater with a rich background in teaching at various schools across the island. Her return to the Village Campus was truly a homecoming — and a gift to our community. Over the years, she has built and sustained classrooms that are nurturing and full of wonder — spaces where children are encouraged to take risks, explore ideas, and engage their natural curiosity. Carolyn has long told parents, “I desire to help students meet their potential by providing an environment that is safe, supports risk-taking, and invites sharing ideas. I want to promote and foster your child’s natural curiosity to direct his/her learning and to respect the people and environment around us.” This philosophy has been at the heart of her teaching practice and legacy.
As a colleague, Carolyn is known for her warmth, collaborative spirit, and easy smile. Her presence on campus has been steady and inspiring — quietly powerful and kind.
Though we will miss her deeply, we celebrate all she has given to HPA across decades. From second-grade sleepovers to storybook dioramas, Carolyn leaves behind not just a legacy of academic excellence, but also of love, laughter, and lasting connection.
Carolyn’s husband, George White ‘79, a dedicated Upper School math teacher, is retiring as well. Please join us in expressing our heartfelt gratitude to Carolyn and George and wishing them both all the best in this next chapter of life. They will always be a part of the HPA ʻohana.
We will be posting the 2nd-grade position in the very near future. As before, our hiring committee will work together to confirm a dynamic, creative, and dedicated teacher to join our esteemed ranks.
Me ke aloha pumehana,
Dora Kwong
Lower School Principal
We are proudly marking a truly momentous occasion — our 75th anniversary! Throughout this school year, we will celebrate together and invite you to join us in remembering that we are all — alumni, students, parents, faculty and friends — Ka Makani. Take a stroll through our historical timeline, meet just a few of the many Ka Makani who make us proud, and read about our vision for the future in the 75th Anniversary feature just launched on our website. There, you will also find information about planned gatherings for the year ahead, and have a chance to pre-order our very special 75th anniversary aloha wear collection. Make sure to follow us on Instagram @HawaiiPrep to stay in the loop about all of the festivities.
Schedule
Our K-5 classes continue with in-person instruction on our Village Campus on Monday, March 31.
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
• Saturday, March 29, from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon: Wā Pilina ʻOhana Series – Tree-planting day with Parker Ranch’s forestry team led by Zachary Judd; Sign up for this event here
• Thursday, April 3, from 7:45 to 8:15 am: 3rd-5th Grade Parents Health & Human Development lessons meeting; Village Campus Dining Hall
• Friday, April 4 at 3:30 pm: 5th-grade parents May Day meeting; Grade 5 classroom
• Thursday, April 10, from 4:30 to 6:30 pm: ʻOhana Association Parent Social and General Meeting; Isaacs Art Center, Village Campus
• Friday, April 11, from 12:30 to 3:00 pm: HPA Garden Community Work Day; Village Campus, Ulu Mau Garden
• Friday, May 2: K-5 May Day performance; GPAC
• Monday, May 5: K-8 Faculty Work Day, no classes grades K-8
• Tuesday, May 13 from 12:30 to 3:00 pm: HPA Garden Community Work Day; Village Campus, Ulu Mau Garden
Student Support
Ms. Baydo (K-8 School Counselor) rbaydo@hpa.edu and Mr. Ludes (K-8 Learning Specialist) jludes@hpa.edu are available to discuss and support social-emotional and academic concerns for your child(ren). Please connect with them via email.
After School Program, K-5: Spring term, February 10 – May 16, 2025
Please email our Director of After School Programs, Mrs. Mele DeMille (mdemille@hpa.edu), if you would like your child to attend. You may refer to this email for our Lower School families with more information.
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, 2024-2025.
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.
Summer at HPA
Ka Makani Keiki Camp
Lock in your summer plans! Open to grades K-5 — limited spots available.
Middle School
Each week, Middle School Principal Michael Cservenak pens a note to 6-8 families reflecting on the activities and accomplishments of the week and previewing what students and parents can look forward to in the coming days.
From the desk of your Division Principal, Michael Cservenak
Aloha Middle School families,
Growing up in Northwest Indiana, I remember just how important my local and school libraries were to me. They weren’t just places to grab a new book — they were safe, welcoming spaces where I could connect with stories, ideas, and people in my community. Libraries have changed a lot since then, and I’m thrilled with how our Taylor Library on the Village Campus continues to serve as that kind of space for our students and families today.
The Center for American Progress has shared that the role of a strong librarian goes far beyond encouraging good reading habits or offering a quiet place to study. They describe librarians as the Chief Information Officers of their schools. That idea couldn’t be more true of Ms. Kristin Tarnas, who brings our library to life not only as a keeper of books but as a thoughtful, engaged partner in learning. She works closely with students, teachers, and families to help guide research, curate trustworthy resources, and support everything from capstone projects to casual reading.
This past Thursday, I had the chance to stop by an exploratory session in the library, and I was reminded of how joyful and rigorous a vibrant library space can be. There was energy, curiosity, and care in every corner of that room—and it was a great reminder of how essential this space is to our learning community.
Looking ahead to April, we’ve got some exciting things planned. We’re looking forward to hosting Christina Soontornvat for an author visit, and students will have the chance to purchase books and have them signed. It’s a great opportunity to connect our readers with a published author and spark even more enthusiasm for storytelling. Also, our summer reading selections are now available, and you can find lots of great resources through the HPA Libraries Website.
The next two months will fly by. We’ve got performances, projects, celebrations, and transitions ahead. Please take a moment to review the important dates below so your family stays in the loop. I’m looking forward to a full, meaningful, and joyful finish to the year.
Aloha always,
Michael Cservenak
Middle School Principal
We are proudly marking a truly momentous occasion — our 75th anniversary! Throughout this school year, we will celebrate together and invite you to join us in remembering that we are all — alumni, students, parents, faculty and friends — Ka Makani. Take a stroll through our historical timeline, meet just a few of the many Ka Makani who make us proud, and read about our vision for the future in the 75th Anniversary feature just launched on our website. There, you will also find information about planned gatherings for the year ahead, and have a chance to pre-order our very special 75th anniversary aloha wear collection. Make sure to follow us on Instagram @HawaiiPrep to stay in the loop about all of the festivities.
Schedule
Our Middle School 2024-2025 Daily Schedule continues with in-person instruction on our Village Campus on Monday, March 31.
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 Middle School Family Resources tile located in myHPA.
Coming Up
• Saturday, March 29, from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon: Wā Pilina ʻOhana Series – Tree-planting day with Parker Ranch’s forestry team led by Zachary Judd; Sign up for this event here
• Wednesday, April 9: Village Campus author visit with Christina Soontornvat (See HPA Taylor Library Newsletter)
• Thursday, April 10, from 4:30 to 6:30 pm: ʻOhana Association Parent Social and General Meeting; Isaacs Art Center, Village Campus
• Friday, April 11, from 12:30 to 3:00 pm: HPA Garden Community Work Day; Village Campus, Ulu Mau Garden
• Wednesday, April 16: Middle School capstone presentations
• Thursday, April 17 & Friday, April 18: Upper School capstone presentations
• Saturday, April 26: 8th-grade Dinner Dance; Anna Ranch
• Friday, May 2: Lower School May Day celebration; GPAC
• Monday, May 5: K-8 Faculty Work Day, no classes grades K-8
• Tuesday, May 13 from 12:30 to 3:00 pm: HPA Garden Community Work Day; Village Campus, Ulu Mau Garden
• Monday, May 21: 8th-grade Transition Ceremony & the last day of classes
Student Support
Please remember that we will be outside as much as possible during lunch and recess, so a rain jacket for light rains and a pareo or small beach towel for picnicking will be great to have at school. Students should also bring a water bottle to school each day.
Ms. Baydo (K-8 School Counselor) rbaydo@hpa.edu and Mr. Ludes (K-8 Learning Specialist) jludes@hpa.edu are available to discuss and support social-emotional and academic concerns for your child(ren). Please connect with them via email.
After School Program, Grades 6-8: Spring term, February 10 – May 16, 2025
Please email our Director of After School Programs, Mrs. Mele DeMille (mdemille@hpa.edu) if you would like your child to attend. You may refer to this email for our Middle School families for more information.
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, 2024-2025’.
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’.
myHPA Tutorials
myHPA is your window to your child’s progress in school. Here you will find their schedules, their assignments, their grade books and so much more. Ms. Monello and our IT team have put together a number of tutorials to help you navigate the myHPA parent portal.
Please note this myHPA Middle School Parent Tutorial, which gives you an overview of using myHPA as a window to your child’s learning in real time.
Summer at HPA
Summer Academies at HPA
Do you have a passion you want to pursue this summer? Our specialized four-week academies are designed for day and boarding middle and high school students.
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.
From the desk of your Upper School leadership team
Aloha Upper School families,
Welcome back! We hope you all had a restful and enjoyable Spring Break! There is a lot going on in these last nine weeks of school until Summer Break, so please be sure to carefully review the calendar of events located below in our Coming Up section.
HPA Olympics Food Drive Donations
Mahalo to students and families who assisted with donations to the Food Drive during the HPA Olympics.
Last week, Hawaiʻi Food Basket picked up a total of 938 pounds of donated food. They were extremely grateful to have this support as now, more than ever, many families are in need of assistance.
Student Council Elections
As we head into April, we will begin our elections for the 2025-2026 academic year Student Council. Students received a detailed email with deadlines and an application on Wednesday, March 26. Please adhere to the schedule to ensure your application, interviews, and speeches are completed on time.
Mahalo,
Mark Noetzel
Assistant Head of School for Upper School
We are proudly marking a truly momentous occasion — our 75th anniversary! Throughout this school year, we will celebrate together and invite you to join us in remembering that we are all — alumni, students, parents, faculty and friends — Ka Makani. Take a stroll through our historical timeline, meet just a few of the many Ka Makani who make us proud, and read about our vision for the future in the 75th Anniversary feature just launched on our website. There, you will also find information about planned gatherings for the year ahead, and have a chance to pre-order our very special 75th anniversary aloha wear collection. Make sure to follow us on Instagram @HawaiiPrep to stay in the loop about all of the festivities.
Schedule
Our Upper School 2024-2025 Daily Schedule will resume as an ʻUla day with in-person instruction on our Upper Campus on Monday, March 31.
We encourage all students and families to access 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 Upper School Family Resources tile located in myHPA.
Coming Up
• Saturday, March 29, from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon: Wā Pilina ʻOhana Series – Tree-planting day with Parker Ranch’s forestry team led by Zachary Judd; Sign up for this event here
• Sunday, March 30 to Wednesday, April 2: Hawaiʻi State Science Fair
• Thursday, April 10, from 4:30 to 6:30 pm: ʻOhana Association Parent Social and General Meeting; Isaacs Art Center, Village Campus
• Friday, April 11, from 12:30 to 3:00 pm: HPA Garden Community Work Day; Village Campus, Ulu Mau Garden
• Thursday, April 17 & Friday, April 18: Senior capstone presentations
• Saturday, April 19: Senior Prom at the Four Seasons Hualalai
• Thursday, April 24: Upper School tour of rising 9th-graders from the Village Campus
• Friday, April 25: US Faculty Work Day, no classes grades 9-12
• Monday, May 5 to Friday, May 16: AP Exams
• Saturday, May 10 to Friday, May 16: International Science Fair; Ohio
• Monday, May 12: Upper School Awards Ceremony; GPAC
• Tuesday, May 13: All Classes Final Exam Review Day, grades 9-12
• Tuesday, May 13 from 12:30 to 3:00 pm: HPA Garden Community Work Day; Village Campus, Ulu Mau Garden
• Thursday, May 15 – Wednesday, May 21: Upper School Final Exams
• Thursday, May 22: Class of 2025 Baccalaureate Service; Davies Memorial Chapel (ticketed event)
• Friday, May 23: Class of 2025 Commencement Ceremony; Castle Gymnasium (ticketed event)
Student Support
Should your child need additional learning support, we encourage you to reach out to Amanda Aragon, our Upper School Learning Center Coordinator, by emailing aaragon@hpa.edu. In addition, our counselors are ready to assist any student who needs additional support to navigate these unusual and unprecedented times. Please feel free to reach out to the Upper Campus counseling team of Tiffany Freitas at 808-881-4038 or tfreitas@hpa.edu and Steve Furchner at 808-640-4441 or sfurchner@hpa.edu.
Student Life
Time is flying by at the Student Life Center as graduation season is quickly approaching.
Prom – April 19, 2025
On Monday, an email was sent to all parents and students regarding the HPA Prom. This year, the Student Council has picked a Masquerade Ball theme and are asking everyone to participate by dressing in elegance!
Tickets will be on sale during lunch outside of the student union:
Tuesday, April 1 – Seniors and guests only
Wednesday, April 2 – Seniors and juniors only
Thursday, April 3 – Rest of the school.
For more information, please review Monday’s Prom email.
Senior Privileges
On Tuesday, March 25, an email was sent to students and families outlining the approved Senior Privileges, which begin on Monday, April 14. This is an HPA tradition that allows the Student Council senior class representatives to propose a set of “senior privileges” that reward their hard work and achievements and recognize that their time with us is limited.
Families have been asked to complete a permission form in myHPA, in which they select how and with whom they allow their child to leave campus during the academic day (free periods, lunchtime, or during the break before sports). Only one person per family is required to complete this form. We cannot allow your child to leave campus if we do not receive a permission form.
For more information, please review the Senior Privileges 2025 email sent early this week.
Ka Makani Athletics
Spring season is here! Check out the latest Spring Sports Athletics calendar here and our updated weekly schedule. You can also access the athletics schedule on the myHPA calendar. Go KA MAKANI!
Ka Makani Travel
Ka Makani Travel, HPA’s student travel program, is offering
- Spring Break 2026 – The Alps and the Mediterranean Coast with EF Tours: March 2026, $200 early booking discount applied
Scholarships are available from EF’s Global Citizen Scholarship Fund. The deadline to apply for a scholarship with EF is August 12, 2025. You must be enrolled in an EF Tour to apply.
Please contact Ka Makani Travel Coordinator Adrienne White (awhite@hpa.edu) for information on registration, eligibility, and travel grants.
Day Student Attendance Protocols
A parent or guardian must email attendance@hpa.edu before 9:00 am if they need to excuse their child for that day. Please note that students will only be excused for appointments or family or medical reasons. Unexcused absences will result in conduct points which can result in the student being restricted to campus for boarding and/or ineligible for academic awards, i.e. the Dean’s List. Students are responsible for checking their conduct points and attendance records and should reach out as soon as possible if there are any errors.
For long-term absences, please also reach out to the Upper School Office and the student’s advisor to coordinate a plan for the missing classes.
If a day student is ill, please do not send them to school, but email attendance@hpa.edu and include Health Services (infirmary@hpa.edu), and a nurse will follow up with the proper return-to-class procedure. If a student already on campus begins to feel ill, they must report to the infirmary, where the nurses will take care of them. If a student fails to do so and is absent to a class, the absence will be unexcused.
Whom to Contact at HPA
If you are unsure who 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 with one or more of the following:
- Upper School Office (upperschool@hpa.edu)
- US Administrative Assistant, Līhau Wengler-Ioane (lihau@hpa.edu)
- Assistant Head of School for Upper School, Mark Noetzel (hpaus@hpa.edu)
- Curriculum & Instruction Coordinator: Dr. Amanda Aragon, aaragon@hpa.edu
- Capstone Program Coordinator: Pualani Lincoln Maielua ‘01, plincolnmaielua@hpa.edu
- Athletics: Steve Perry (sperry@hpa.edu)
- Extra-curricular programs: Kaʻai Spencer (jspencer@hpa.edu)
- Student’s Advisor
- Student Life Center (studentlife@hpa.edu)
- Health Services (infirmary@hpa.edu)
Residential Life
We hope that all of our students had a fun, restful, and rejuvenating Spring Break, and are excited to be back in action for the fourth quarter! This time of year is an exciting mix of celebrations, final projects, and also preparations for next year. First up on that agenda in Residential Life is the selection process for next year’s dormitory prefects. All returning class of 2026 and 2027 boarding students who are interested in the role are encouraged to apply. The application deadline is 10:00 pm on Sunday, March 30. Throughout the month of April, the dormitory faculty will review applications, conduct interviews, and ultimately select our student leaders for next school year. We look forward to having the opportunity to discuss our community, and how each of these students see themselves in it, in the coming weeks!
Class of 2025 – Seniors and families
Aloha e nā ʻohana 2025! Class of 2025 seniors and families, we are so excited to celebrate your upcoming graduation from Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy. The Class of 2025 Commencement Ceremony is scheduled for Friday, May 23, 2025, at 10:00 am in Castle Gymnasium, and there are many other end-of-year milestones to celebrate before then, as well.
We have recorded a presentation covering the important end-of-year events HPA has planned for the Class of 2025.
Please also be sure to visit the “Upper School End-of-Year Events” Resource Board on myHPA, which will be updated over the next several months with new details.
We are thrilled to celebrate all of the achievements of the Class of 2025, including their culminating event — graduation!! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at graduation@hpa.edu.
E hoʻomaikaʻi kākou!
Links:
Class of 2025 Commencement & End-of-Year Events presentation
Upper School End-of-Year Events Resource Board
College Counseling
School Day ACT for Juniors on Thursday, April 8
As a reminder, all juniors will take the School Day ACT on Tuesday, April 8, from 8:30 am to 12:45 pm. Registration has been completed for all students. Check-in will take place at the Upper School gym from 8:00 to 8:30 am. Testing will begin promptly at 8:30 am. Students testing with accommodations will report directly to their assigned testing rooms by 8:15 am.
Students are asked to please bring the following items:
- Valid photo ID (Student ID is acceptable)
- An ACT-approved calculator
- Three #2 pencils with erasers (no mechanical pencils)
- Water bottle (optional)
Students who choose to bring their cell phones will be required to turn their phones off and place them on the designated table inside the testing room. Students may not access cell phones until testing is complete. Please do not bring any other “smart” devices to the exam, including smartwatches and/or fitness tracking devices/fitbit.
Snacks will be provided during the breaks, and lunch will be provided after the test. After lunch, students will report to their regularly scheduled classes for the remainder of the school day.
To prepare for the ACT, please refer to this Information for ACT Examinees guide.
All students will need to have a student account on myact.org to access their exam scores. Students will either need to create an account or update an existing account with their ACT-generated student code that our office has on file. ACT scores are available approximately 2.5 weeks after the test date.
Please reach out to testing@hpa.edu with any questions.
Schedule an Individual Check-in Meeting
Mr. Kelsey and Mrs. Montgomery are available for individual check-in meetings. Please click below to select a 30-minute time slot for an individual appointment with your assigned counselor. All meetings will be in the College Counseling Center.
If you need any help with scheduling appointments, please contact us directly at college@hpa.edu.
Driver Education
Students who are 15½ through 17 years old must meet stringent requirements to obtain a driver’s license in the state of Hawaiʻi. One of the major requirements is completing a state-certified driver education course and road time with both a certified driving instructor and parents before getting a license.
This course is offered to students with a valid (current) Hawaiʻi learner permit. The course includes 6 hours of “behind-the-wheel” practice driving sessions with the instructor, to be scheduled outside of class time. There is a mandatory Parent & Student Orientation on Saturday before the class begins, June 1, 9:00 to 10:30 am. 50 hours of driving time with a parent/guardian (including 10 hours of night driving) will be required before a minor (under 18) may apply for a Hawaiʻi Driver’s License. After 50 hours, the parent/guardian must submit a notarized statement to the teacher to receive the final certificate for this course. Certificates cannot be issued until 6 weeks after the beginning of the course, July 15.
Dates: June 2-13
Ages: 15 1/2 – 17
Times: 9:00 am to 12:30 pm
Cost: $550
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, 2024-2025’.
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’.
HPA Today
Summer Academies at HPA
Do you have a passion you want to pursue this summer? Our specialized four-week academies are designed for day and boarding middle and high school students.
All-School
Need to know information for our entire Ka Makani ʻohana.
Admissions
Mahalo to all families who have re-enrolled for the upcoming academic year! For families who are late or are experiencing any technical difficulties, please reach out to our office as soon as possible. The new enrollment offers have gone out to all of the applicants who have been accepted to HPA and our community is growing beautifully.
Advancement
Internship Opportunity: HPA Sustainable Agriculture and Community Outreach
The school is seeking applications for two interns for the Sustainable Agriculture and Community Outreach program. Successful candidates will apprentice at Ulu Mālama Terrace Farm and the Ulumau Garden at the HPA Upper Campus and Village Campus respectively. Interns will serve as our community food outreach coordinator; connecting the school gardens to our Waimea community.
Auxiliary Services
Summer at HPA registration is open. Visit the Summer at HPA New Enrollment form to register for summer enrichment camps, swimming lessons, Ka Makani Keiki Camp, or Summer Academies.
Health and Wellness
We are asking that everyone routinely assess themselves for symptoms of illness — which can be mild, so please pay close attention. If you or your child(ren) develop any symptoms of illness, contact your healthcare provider and HPA Health Services at vcinfirmary@hpa.edu (Village Campus) or infirmary@hpa.edu (Upper Campus). Please keep your child(ren) home until they are no longer sick.
ʻOhana Association
If you missed the latest letter from our HPA ʻOhana Association president, be sure to catch up here. Please be sure to join us for for the ʻOhana Association Parent Social and General Meeting on Thursday, April 10, from 4:30 to 6:30 pm at the Isaacs Art Center at the Village Campus. This is a great way to meet fellow parents! We will also elect our new Board and Committee positions for the 2025-2026 school year.
Next up in our Wā Pilina ʻOhana Series is a tree-planting day with Parker Ranch’s forestry team led by Zachary Judd on Saturday, March 29 from 9:00 am to 12:00 Noon. Please sign up in advance and carefully read through all the details on how to best prepare for the day.
Our ʻOhana Association hosts a variety of events and activities for our school community throughout the year. As parents of HPA, you are automatically part of the ʻOhana Association. There are many ways to participate, and we encourage everyone to get involved. It is a great way to meet your fellow parents and support our amazing Ka Makani community. Mark your calendar for these upcoming events, and be sure to email ohana@hpa.edu with any questions, or to find out what volunteer opportunities are available!
Isaacs Art Center
39th Invitational Masters Wood Show
The 39th Invitational Masters Wood Show is now underway through Friday, March 28, 2025, with extended viewing possible through March. All items in the show are available for purchase. The exhibit is free and open to the public, Tuesday through Friday, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, and on Saturdays from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm with appointments welcomed.
Isaacs Art Center has hosted the Hawaiʻi Wood Guild’s annual Invitational Masters Show since 2009. This year’s exhibition includes pieces by noted island artisans Tai Lake, Michael Felig, David Gomes, Michael Patrick Smith, Greg Pontius, David and Doni Reisland, Scott Hare, Paul Schürch, Mats Fogelvik, Alex Franceschini, Nicole Gomes, Scott Zuziak, Duane Millers, Jr., Marcus Castaing, Tom O’Connor, John Mydock, Robert Woodward, Kelly Dunn, Piergiorgio (Peter) Barbarich, Jimmy Wray, Llosh Winne, and Leslie Pedersen. The exhibition features turned and carved bowls, platters, demi-lune tables, and furniture accented with intricate designs in marquetry, pyrography, and careful bookmatching of beautiful wood. Locally sourced curly koa, mango, milo, and pheasant wood, along with old-growth fir, western red cedar, mahogany, Norfolk, and Cook pines are among the woods highlighted.
Isaacs Art Center is free and open to the public, Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 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.
Safety Protocols
Campus Access
During this time, campus access is limited to current students, employees, essential contractors, and approved guests — all of whom have completed a daily thermal/symptom check and a screening questionnaire. 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.
Should a family member of a student need a meeting with a faculty, staff, or administrative team member, kindly contact them so that they can apply to have you come to 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 and email Mark Noetzel at mnoetzel@hpa.edu
- Anything out of the ordinary: email Mark Noetzel at mnoetzel@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.
myHPA Resource Boards
Past HPA communications and other important information can be found on myHPA. We are continuing to make updates to our student and parent resource boards, so please be sure to visit them regularly.