Week of 3/29/24
What's Happening at HPA This Week?
Message from the Head of School
Aloha HPA ʻohana,
Raise your hand and cross your thumb over your inside palm. You’re left with the number 4. This sign is common around here this time of year.
Itʻs the 4th quarter…
It is time to empty the tank, to give everything you have, and to finish the race sprinting through the tape. In this final quarter of each school year, everyone and everything is a little different. Students have grown, changed, and grown a little more. Not only can they start to see the end of the year, they can start to see their next-year selves. There is a discipline that must be developed at this time, skill work that must be done. One primary skill is to focus on the now, to stay in the present, and to build on the hard work that will ultimately push us through to the next challenge.
A friend sent me this clip of Duke University women’s basketball coach, Kara Lawson, talking about the false hope of waiting for things to get easy. It hit me at just the right time. Coming off a break and looking for a calm, but knowing through experience, that the fourth quarter of the year brings an intensity the prior three do not know. Coach Lawson’s words about handling hard better make so much sense.
“If you have a meaningful pursuit in life, it will never be easy,” Lawson says.
Running toward the hard stuff and how we prepare our students to get comfortable when the road is rocky and not that fun is our work as teachers, as parents, and as leaders. How to lean into the hard times with energy, determination, and, yes, good humor. This ability is often referred to as resilience, but it’s also something more. A willingness to roll up your sleeves and get to work, to push through to the other side, even when you don’t know what the result will be.
The cycle of the school year at HPA takes our students on a journey of self-discovery, beginning with the excitement of new classes, and new friends in fall, then hitting the wall of winter doldrums when the sparkle may have faded. It culminates in these final months of spring when the sun is out and possibility is around every corner. Rinse and repeat. This flow is sort of a metaphor for life. The highs, the ho hums, and the hard stuff.
And now here we are, the fourth quarter. Maybe a little tired, a little burned out, or even a little anxious for what comes next. It is the time to truly lock in, to shift into a gear that exists, even if we don’t always believe it will be there. It is.
Every week will be full of learning new things, assessing and showcasing our new skills, and celebrating student accomplishments. Our seniors are in the home stretch — capstone presentations, refining class song and hula. This is exciting and scary — for students and parents alike. The rollercoaster has clicked its last vertical click, and its lead car has crested the highest peak. We go downhill, with momentum, with velocity, and with grace.
Even though the end is quickly approaching, we still have plenty of time to pour into each other all the love, care, and hope that we can. Take time to do this. It’s important. It won’t be long before we are at year’s end wondering where the time went.
Have a joyful weekend!
With aloha,
Fred Wawner
Head of School
School Bulletins for the Week of 3/29/24
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,
How wonderful it has been to reconnect with our students after their break from school! It has been a glorious week of returning to the swing of things and getting into the bustle of the fourth quarter. Publishing non-fiction books,ʻōhiʻa plant research, best ways to throw a frisbee, musical March Madness, narrative explorations, and leprechaun trapping, our lower schoolers are being stretched and challenged to wonder and pursue excellence at every turn.
Even our ʻOhana Association has been busy bees as they prepare for our Village Campus Earth Day Sustainability Picnic on Friday, April 12 from 3:00 to 5:00 pm. Everyone is invited to this community event taking place on the lawn outside of Hale ʻĪnana. It will be a time to catch up as an ʻohana, enjoy some great music, engage in fun games, participate in a lei-making workshop, and check out our clothing swap. In preparation for this event, please bring your gently used childrenʻs clothing (for ages 5-15), clean cardboard boxes, and thoroughly washed glass jars so they can be repurposed. Our children outgrow clothing quickly, so this will be a great opportunity to share with one another. Gently used HPA clothing is also very much welcome (especially outgrown PE shirts). We will be collecting the aforementioned items — clothing, boxes, and jars starting Monday, April 1 through Friday, April 12 at the Village Campus roundabout during pick up and drop off. You can also feel free to bring them directly to the VC office during this time period. Many thanks to our ʻOhana Association team for sponsoring this event!
It is with mixed feelings that we share with you that one of our Lower School faculty members will be pursuing new adventures in the next academic year.
Julia Noe ʻ11 has worked as our third grade teacher since the 2022/2023 school year. A gifted, vibrant, creative, and joyful teacher, Julia has made a significant impact on her students in the short time she has been a Village Campus faculty member. A graduate of HPA herself, Julia reacclimated to the Big Island from California and transitioned seamlessly into her role at the Lower School despite teaching third grade for the first time. She brought with her years of experience as a middle school science teacher, classroom management techniques rooted in restorative practices, a love for interdisciplinary unit design, and a passion for science and place-based curriculum development. In her time at the Lower School, Julia has effectively fostered a love for learning in her students that has only been bolstered by her warm demeanor, and ability to see and meet each student as an individual. As a colleague, she collaborated excitedly, easily, and effectively; she will be sorely missed by all our students, faculty, staff, and families.
Please join me in wishing Julia the very best in her new endeavors as she moves off island after the completion of the current academic year.
We will be advertising the 3rd grade position in the very near future. As before, our hiring committee will work hard together to confirm a dynamic, creative, and dedicated teacher to join our esteemed ranks.
Sending you love and aloha this Ramadan to all who celebrate. Ramadan Mubarak! Have a wonderful weekend, Lower School ʻohana.
Me ka mahalo nui,
Dora Kwong
Lower School Principal
Schedule
Our K-5 classes continue with in-person instruction on our Village Campus on Monday, April 1.
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
• Thursday, April 4 at 6:30 pm: Film Series, Waterman, Gates Performing Arts Center
• Thursday, April 11 from 4:30 to 6:30 pm: ʻOhana Association General Meeting and Parent Mixer, Isaacs Art Center
• Friday, April 12, from 3:00 to 5:00 pm: VC Earth Day Sustainability Picnic
• Friday, April 19: Faculty workday, no classes (all divisions)
• Friday, May 3: Lower School May Day, Gates Performing Arts Center
• Wednesday, May 22: Last day of semester two classes
Helpful Lower School Contacts & Links
Student Support
- Ms. Rachel Baydo, K-8 School Counselor, rbaydo@hpa.edu
- Mr. Joe Ludes, K-8 Learning Specialist, jludes@hpa.edu
After School Program, K-5
Mrs. Mele DeMille, Director of After School Programs, mdemille@hpa.edu
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, 2023-2024.
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.
Middle School
Each week, Middle School Principal Glenn Chickering 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, Glenn Chickering
Aloha Middle School families,
I hope that you and your family enjoyed a wonderful spring break. It is always a nice breather before a fast-paced and exciting 4th quarter and it is always good to see everybody again. Please keep your eye on the ‘Coming Up’ section below in the coming weeks, as there are many events in these last few months.
Speaking of that, please mark your calendars for Friday, April 12, as the VC ʻohana association be will hosting our second annual Earth Day Picnic on the lawn outside Hale ʻĪnana. The event is a bring your own sustainable picnic and will also feature music, a clothing swap, lei making, games and activities, and plenty of socializing.
Just around the corner is our 8th Grade Capstone Expo in Hale ʻInana from 2:30 to 3:45 pm on Thursday, April 18. Our students are excited to show their projects and speak to their learning journeys along the way. Please try to stop by.
We got rolling right away this week, as our grade 8 science students continued their place-based work looking at ecosystem health through a biology lens by conducting biodiversity surveys at the coast. This time, Ms. Dewey teamed up with Ms. Kawakami to help develop the data sheets and analyze the data in math class. Meanwhile, Grade 7 took Thursday’s experiential time to escape the kīpuʻupuʻu rain up in Waimea and enjoy a day of snorkeling.
We will be collecting HPA clothing and any other clothing that your children have outgrown and are ready to pass on. We will also be collecting clean cardboard boxes, and thoroughly washed glass jars so they can be repurposed in our garden and for arts and crafts. You can begin dropping items off Monday, April 1 through Friday, April 12 at the Village Campus roundabout during pick up and drop off. You can also feel free to bring them directly to the VC office during this time period. Please note that you are welcome to take clothes even if you didnʻt bring any to donate.
Many thanks to our ʻOhana Association team for sponsoring this event!
We are very excited to share a great girls’ basketball opportunity with Middle School students.
HPA Girls Basketball Varsity Head Coach Sierra Huebert-Sanchez, has extended an invite to the Middle School girl basketball players to join her Sunday basketball clinic with the High School Players.
Please see the information below:
Girls Basketball Clinic (Grades 6-12)
Days: Sundays (March 31-May19)
Time: 5:00 to 6:00 pm
Location: HPA UC Basketball Court
HPA Girls Varsity Head Coach: Sierra Huebert-Sanchez. Please contact her with any questions or more information: shuebert-sanchez@hpa.edu
I hope that you and your family enjoy a wonderful weekend!
Mahalo,
Glenn Chickering
Middle School Principal
Capstone Update from K-8 Capstone Coordinator, Dagan Bernstein
Aloha mai kākou! Our capstone students continue their impressive journey, diligently tackling their projects. Since December, they’ve refined their plans based on feedback, ensuring alignment with their goals and timelines. This preparation set the stage for the creation phase, where they’ve been actively building their projects.
These final few weeks are crucial as students implement these changes and polish their final products. By the end of the quarter, just before Spring Break, they’ll submit their completed projects to their capstone advisors. We are also excited to share that the Grade 8 Capstone Exhibition will be held at Hale ʻĪnana on the Village Campus on Thursday, April 18, from 2:30 to 3:45 pm. All HPA families are welcome; stay tuned for more detailed information as we get closer!
Schedule
Our Middle School 2023-2024 Daily Schedule continues with in-person instruction on our Village Campus on Monday, April 1
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
• Thursday, April 4 at 6:30 pm: Film Series, Waterman, Gates Performing Arts Center
• Thursday, April 11 from 4:30 to 6:30 pm: ʻOhana Association General Meeting and Parent Mixer, Isaacs Art Center
• Friday, April 12 from 3:00 to 5:00 pm: Village Campus Earth Day Picnic
• Thursday, April 18 from 2:30 to 3:45 pm: Grade 8 Capstone Showcase
• Friday, April 19: Faculty workday, no classes (all divisions)
• Saturday, May 4 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm: Grade 8 Dinner and Dance, Anna Ranch Heritage Center
• Friday, May 10 from 2:00 to 3:00 pm: Middle School Performing Arts Showcase, Gates Performing Arts Center
• Wednesday, May 22: Last day of semester two classes
• Wednesday, May 22: 8th Grade Transition Ceremony
Helpful Middle School Contacts & Links
Student Support
- Ms. Rachel Baydo, K-8 School Counselor, rbaydo@hpa.edu
- Mr. Joe Ludes, K-8 Learning Specialist, jludes@hpa.edu
After School Program, Grades 6-8
Mrs. Mele DeMille, Director of After School Programs, mdemille@hpa.edu
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, 2022-2023’.
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.
Upper School
Capstone Project
Get some Ka Makani merch and support the HPA Fund
"Shop Smart, Support Education," is a senior Capstone project by Bruce L. '24. Bruce has poured his creativity and dedication into designing exclusive HPA-themed logos, adorning a range of merchandise from shirts to hats, stickers, and more. Every item purchased directly supports the HPA Fund. Join us in celebrating Bruce's initiative and help make a difference with every purchase.
From the desk of your Poʻo Kumu (Division Principal), Kaʻai Spencer
Aloha e nā maka o ka ʻupena a ka makani!
He aha ka mua? He aha ka hope? This phrase asks what is the beginning, and what is the end? I remember hearing Uncle Eddie Kaʻananā saying this. Uncle Eddie was a very respected kūpuna who had close ties to the school community where I formally worked. He was wise, calm, and soft-spoken, yet strong and direct when it was needed. Now that we are in the fourth quarter of the school year, we must keep an eye on the end, or the hope. Then, ask ourselves how we can help ourselves to achieve the hope we desire by setting the mea mua, or the beginning, which can be a point in time that is as slippery as a moss-covered rock. You might not be ready for it, and you slip on it when least expected. While the mua is very important, the hope is what is viewed and remembered, and adjustments may be necessary.
As a sports fan, I am always very interested in seeing how teams close at the end of each quarter. How a team closes a quarter usually has a strong influence on how the next quarter begins. I believe this is also true for any transitional period. The better we approach the close of one chapter, the more positively or negatively it can influence the next chapter in the sequence. So, it would behoove us to try to do our best to close a chapter strongly.
In a school setting, there is a lot of transition among us. It may not be directly felt across the board, but a transition is happening. The freshmen are moving closer to not being the youngest on the upper campus anymore, and some may be pursuing higher-level classes. Sophomores are setting themselves up for a year filled with a big focus on college preparations while also navigating their own class selection decisions. The Juniors are anxiously looking forward to being the elders on campus and have little clue about the stressors that inherently accompany the senior year. Meanwhile, the seniors are milking the last drips of their senior year and preparing for a departure from their comfort zone to enter a whole new world with the responsibilities of maturing young adults.
Senioritis has firmly established itself to be a real thing. We see it every year. I urge the Seniors to stay disciplined, as their choices in the coming months are crucial to the trajectory of the next four to six to ten years. If we reflect on the words of Uncle Eddie, He aha ka mua? He aha ka hope? The seniors are currently approaching the hope or the end. But where there is an end, there is a beginning. Therefore, while we may be living in preparation for a hope, what we really should be doing is establishing a mua, or a beginning. It may not be easy, but it will be worthwhile. He aha ka mua? He aha ka hope?
Ke aloha nō,
Kaʻai Spencer
Upper School Poʻo Kumu
Schedule
Our Upper School 2023-2024 Daily Schedule will resume as an ʻUla day with in-person instruction on our Upper Campus on Monday, April 1.
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
• Tuesday, April 2 at 8:30 am: Senior Speaker Series, Davies Memorial Chapel
• Thursday, April 4 at 6:30 pm: Film Series, Waterman, Gates Performing Arts Center
• Thursday, April 11 from 4:30 to 6:30 pm: ʻOhana Association General Meeting and Parent Mixer, Isaacs Art Center
• Saturday, April 13: 2024 HPA Prom
• Tuesday, April 16 at 8:30 am: Senior Speaker Series, Davies Memorial Chapel
• Friday, April 19: Faculty workday, no classes (all divisions)
• Monday, May 13: Upper School Awards Ceremony, Gates Performing Arts Center
• Wednesday, May 22: Last day of semester two classes
• Thursday, May 23: Baccalaureate Services and Senior Awards and Slideshow
• Friday, May 24: 73rd Annual Commencement Exercises
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.
Class of 2024 – Seniors and Families
Mahalo to those of you who were able to join us on Zoom on December 7, for our Commencement and End-of-Year Celebrations informational meeting. For those of you who missed it, here is a recording of all the information that was shared. 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 2024, including their culminating event — the 73rd Annual Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 24, 2024, at 10:00 am in Castle Gymnasium. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at graduation@hpa.edu.
Student Life
Upcoming Student Life Events
HPA Senior Prom – April 13, 2024 – 6:30 to 10:00 pm – Theme: Red Carpet
This year, we will hold the dance again in the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai ballroom at 72-100 Kaupulehu Drive, Kailua-Kona. Their contact number is (808) 325-8000.
Please refer to the email sent out on Tuesday, February 27, for more information, including the dress code and information for the seniors to bring a guest. All students must have their conduct points to three or less by Wednesday, April 10 to be allowed to attend. Unfortunately, we can not give out any refunds. All tickets for this event are now sold out.
Donations: Formal Wear
If you have any dresses, tuxedoes, or suits that you are no longer wearing, please consider donating them to HPA. We will loan them students in an effort to be more sustainable and keep the costs of these events to a minimum.
Student Council Elections
Student Council elections for the 2024-25 academic year will begin shortly. Our elections are staggered, and we will start with the Executive positions: President and Vice President, who run in pairs, then Secretary and Treasurer. After that, we move to Class Representatives and, finally the Executive Dorm Rep. This will take most of the month of April to complete. A detailed email has been sent to the students outlining our process, the job descriptions, and our Student Council Constitution. There are deadlines to apply for different positions.
Ka Makani Travel
We are in the final stages of confirming itineraries for Spring Break 2025. Japan is open for enrollment. Options to Peru and a combination tour that includes Switzerland, Italy, France & Spain will open for enrollment in the coming weeks.
- Spring Break 2025: Japan: Land of the Rising Sun with EF Tours: Open for enrollment
EF’s Global Citizen Scholarship Fund offers $1000 scholarships.
Please contact Ka Makani Travel Coordinator Adrienne White (awhite@hpa.edu) for information on registration and eligibility.
Residential Life
Welcome back to the fourth quarter! This time of year moves fast, and before we know it, we will all be together in the gymnasium celebrating our seniors and their accomplishments as they graduate and move on to their next adventures! In the meantime, we use much of this time to prepare for the next school year. In residential life, that means that the prefect application process has begun!
Before Spring Break, all current sophomores and juniors were sent an application for the position of dormitory prefect, which is due by 10 pm on Sunday, March 31. We encourage all of our rising juniors and seniors who are even a little curious about the position to apply, as even if they are not selected, or are and choose not to accept, the application process itself can be a valuable exercise in reflection on the HPA community, and their place in it.
Dormitory Prefects assist dorm heads and faculty in the daily running of the residence halls and serve as student leaders in the boarding community. They assist dorm faculty with daily tasks and serve as peer counselors and mediators. They act as hall supervisors and serve as role models for exemplary conduct, leadership, and achievement. Most importantly, they serve as responsible connections between their peers and the dorm faculty and staff. They are aware of the status and needs of the dorm community in ways that the residential staff can never be and therefore are essential facilitators in dorm life. Prefects gain valuable leadership, organization, and communication skills, and will be able to list this distinction on college applications.
After the application deadline, Dormitory Heads will arrange interviews, and will eventually schedule a large group interview with all of the applicants for each dorm, with all of the residential faculty in that dorm. We expect this process to conclude the week of April 15, with offers for the position sent out before the end of the day on Friday, April 19.
Ka Makani Athletics
Here’s the spring athletics schedule and weekly schedule for our spring sports season. GO KA MAKANI! You can also access the athletics schedule on the myHPA calendar.
Saturday, March 30 at 2:00 pm
Girls Waterpolo Live Stream
College Counseling
News for Senior Families:
Financial Aid & Scholarships
FAFSA
All U.S. families wishing to be considered for federal need-based financial aid must submit the 2024-2025 FAFSA, which was released on December 31, 2023. Both student and parent must register and receive a FAFSA ID. Please reach out to us at college@hpa.edu with any questions.
CSS PROFILE
Many private colleges and universities also require the CSS Profile as part of the financial aid application process. A complete list of colleges that require the CSS Profile is available at CSS Participating Institutions.
Hawaiʻi Community Foundation Scholarships
HPA students with US citizenship can become eligible for hundreds of regional scholarships by completing the scholarship application at the Hawai’i Community Foundation. The application deadline is on Wednesday, February 29, 2024, at 4 pm. Families must complete the FAFSA to be eligible for scholarships through the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation.
Hawaiʻi Community Federal Credit Union Scholarships
The Hawaiʻi Community Federal Credit Union also offers a number of scholarships for Hawaiʻi Island students. The HCFCU scholarship application is due Monday, March 4, 2023.
Other College Scholarships
Seniors can find information regarding several other college scholarships by looking in their “Drive” folder in their Scoir accounts, where College Counseling regularly uploads scholarship opportunities. Students can also search for national college scholarships using one of the many online search engines available such as Fastweb.
Important Reminders for Seniors Who Have Submitted College Applications
Congratulations to the many seniors who have submitted their first college applications! It has been a pleasure working with you and seeing your high-quality applications and the thoughtful essays you have created. Moving forward, here are a few important reminders:
- Check your email regularly. Applicants usually receive an email from each college to which they have applied with the status of their application or instructions for setting up an online application portal. If you have not received an email from a college within two weeks of applying, please follow up with the college or reach out to us for assistance.
- If applicable, send your official test scores (ACT, SAT, TOEFL, and/or DuoLingo) to all of the colleges for which you’d like test scores to be part of your application.
- If you would like to be considered for need-based financial aid, please make sure your family has submitted the CSS Profile if it is required by any of the colleges to which you have applied. The FAFSA, which is required for all U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens applying for need-based financial aid, will be available on December 31, 2023.
- Please remember that the deadline for requesting your college counselor to review any additional essays is December 15.
- It is very important that you update your “applying” and “applied” columns in Scoir as you add colleges and submit your applications. This will ensure that all of your school materials are submitted by college counseling in a timely fashion.
Keep up the great work! Stop by anytime or contact us at college@hpa.edu with questions.
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, 2023-2024’.
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.
All-School
Need to know information for our entire Ka Makani ʻohana.
Summer at HPA
Join us for Summer at HPA! Students come from Hawai‘i Island and around the world to expand their academic potential and discover learning adventures within our extraordinary ecosystems, landscapes, and culture.
Our Ka Makani Keiki Camp (ages 5-10) offers arts, sports, hiking, and enrichment to fill the summer days on campus and around our island. Summer Academies (ages 11-17) are specialized four-week academies designed for day and boarding middle and high school students. Academies offered include Young Authors, Arts, Sustainability, and Marine Explorations. Enrichment Camps will also be available in June and July, focusing on specific topics like baseball, basketball, swimming, and more!
Admissions
With the majority of HPA enrollment season coming to a close and classes filled with new and returning students, we thank you for your partnership. In the event you have any friends or family interested in HPA for the 2024-25 school year, please contact our office as we have a few remaining spaces in our DAY program in select grades in K-12 as well as open spaces in our BOARDING program. We can work personally with applicants to assist them in the process.
Advancement
Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy, in partnership with the HPA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, proudly presents Voices for Belonging and Community Conversations — a film series to inspire thoughtful dialogue about place, identity, and belonging through storytelling.
As the fourth and final offering of our film series, we are very excited to host a special screening of Waterman, an award-winning and Emmy-nominated documentary co-produced by HPA alumni and current Board of Trustees member William (Bill) D. Pratt ’86.
We invite you to join us on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at 6:30 pm at the Gates Performing Arts Center (GPAC) on HPA’s Upper Campus. The screening will be followed by a Q&A session with the co-producer. Admission is free and open to the public.
Five-time Olympic medalist and Native Hawaiian Duke Paoa Kahanamoku shattered records and brought surfing to the world while overcoming a lifetime of personal challenges. Waterman explores his journey and legacy as a legendary swimmer, trailblazer, and the undisputed father of modern-day surfing.
Through Duke’s incredible athletic accomplishments, personal doctrine of aloha, and enduring gift of surfing to the world, the film explores a theme that still resonates today — the role of sports in breaking societal barriers — and celebrates his triumphs and philosophy of inclusion, challenging us all to embrace diversity and incorporate aloha into our own lives.
The screening is open to the community and we hope to see you there!
Health & Wellness
Kapiʻolani Medical Center’s Sex Abuse Treatment Center Web Chat: 24 Hour Hotline: (808) 524-7273
Hawaiʻi Cares: Free support service for help with crisis, mental health, and substance use. Call, text or chat: 988
Ulumau & Ulu Mālama Gardens of HPA
Join us in the garden! We have planned several upcoming community workdays to learn and grow together. All are welcome, please use this link to sign up or email wquayle@hpa.edu or lprutow@hpa.edu with any questions.
ʻOhana Association
General Meeting and parent mixer
Please join us at the Isaacs Art Center on Thursday, April 11 from 4:30 to 6:30 pm for the ʻOhana Association General Meeting and parent mixer. Pupus and drinks will be served – be sure to mark your calendars!
What is Wā Pilina and why is that the name of this series?
The word pilina means association, relationship, and connection. Wā refers to a period of time. HPA started the Lower School Wā Pilina program two years ago in order to have intentional time and space for Lower Schoolers to connect with others under the umbrella of, and in connection to, Mālama Kaiāulu. Lower School students meet across grade levels to connect with and learn from one another. From Enrichment Day to art shows and Makahiki games to reading times — Wā Pilina opportunities have expanded through the three divisions, as well as across specialty areas.
Our new Wā Pilina ʻOhana Series aligns school and ʻOhana Association practices with intentionality. We hope you will join us!
Isaacs Art Center
Isaacs Art Center is free and open to the public, Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, and on Saturdays by appointment. 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 student’s family member 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 a 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.