Week of 4/3/26

What's Happening at HPA This Week?

Message from the Head of School

Aloha HPA ʻohana,

In many ways, we are back in the saddle again. How quickly I’ve switched from “man in the arena” to middle-aged guy holding two plates in the buffet line. My wife reminds me each year that there is no medal for the person who outperforms everyone in the food tent after the Lavaman triathlon — but I still give it my all. A few of you have read prior versions of my Lavaman “legacy.” In my fourth go at this Hawai’i Island triathlon tradition last weekend, I’ve become quite comfortable with a familiar experience: getting passed on the bike by students (even a middle schooler this year), parents, grandparents, and colleagues.

“On your left…hey Fred, you’re doing great!”

“Go get ‘em,” I respond, genuinely meaning it.

While I’m not fully satisfied with my performance (I’m not good on two wheels), I’ve come to appreciate something more important — the experience itself. That Sunday in March has become meaningful to me. A chance for solitude, reflection, effort, and even a bit of perspective. Let’s not forget humility! All reminders that I get to do this. I get to move, to think, to be in it.

And yes — I tend to be out there a bit longer than most of the 900 participants… but, who’s counting? My goal is less about time in minutes and hours. It’s more about starting and finishing on the same day.

All kidding aside, there’s a lesson here that applies well beyond a race: Run your own race. Find your pace. Pace matters — in races, in learning, and in life.

We know this intuitively, but it’s hard to practice. The more we slow down, the more we actually see. The more we focus and are likely to understand. The ability to center ourselves — to be fully present in a moment — is a skill. And like any skill, it takes practice.

Whether it’s through movement, stillness, conversation, or quiet reflection, finding that rhythm — our own rhythm — is where real growth happens. And like fingerprints, it looks different for each of us.

April is one of those months where pace gets tested. There is so much happening across our school:

Our K–5 students continue to fill our days with curiosity, joy, and constant motion around wā pilina art exhibits, moon exploration, and Capstone reflection. Our Middle School students are bringing energy and heart to Annie Jr. Our Upper School students are preparing for Prom and capstones — meaningful and memorable milestones in a series of events over the next month.

It’s a full and vibrant time. And it can also feel fast. That’s why this is the moment to slow down just enough to be present. Find the rhythm you need to notice. To listen. To participate fully in what is right in front of us.

For our families, this is also an important time to check in with our children. Especially around events like Prom, where excitement and anticipation can sometimes bring added pressure. Helping them think through plans and decisions while offering offramps if things speed up. Keeping things simple, safe, and grounded goes a long way in ensuring these moments are truly fun.

The ability to navigate with confidence and purpose won’t come from moving the fastest — it will come from knowing yourself, understanding your pace, and staying grounded when things around you speed up. One of my favorite writers, Wendell Berry, distills his philosophy into a simple, enduring way of life: “Slow down. Pay attention. Do good work. Love your neighbours. Love your place. Stay in your place. Settle for less, enjoy it more.”

So as we head into this weekend, with all that it holds, let’s walk with Wendell::

Slow down enough to see clearly.
Stay present enough to enjoy it.
And stay steady enough to do your best.

Because whether it’s a triathlon, a performance on stage, a big night like Prom, or just a regular school day — it’s not about how fast we all go. It’s about how we show up for ourselves and especially our kids. Let’s model this focus and calm, and help them take a breath to find their own!

Take it slow this weekend.

Gratefully,

Fred Wawner
Head of School

School Bulletins for the Week of 4/3/26

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.

Click to expand

News & notes

Aloha Lower School ʻOhana!

It has been a full and meaningful week on our Village Campus, grounded in student voice, authentic learning, and the continued growth of our young scholars.

At this week’s biweekly assembly, Capstone learning took center stage, highlighting a few of the chosen topics of our 5th and 8th-grade students. Before Spring Break, our 5th graders did an outstanding job sharing their projects, and now they are deep in the important next phase—thoughtfully revising their work by incorporating feedback received from families, teachers, peers, and broader audiences. At this assembly, 5th grader Isaac shared his updated student website on spreading awareness of the importance of native plants, inviting engagement from all our community members to input data for tracking native plants, while two of our 8th graders, Nanea B. and Darwin W., brought both passion and purpose to their presentations on safety in two different areas.

Darwin focused on bicycle safety, raising awareness about the importance of helmet use for all riders — keiki and adults alike. His informative message emphasized proper helmet fit and safe practices, further modeled by a wonderful demonstration from his sister, Ophelia (Grade 4), who modeled what a safe and secure fit looks like! Darwin created special bookmarks for our lower school keiki, with easy to remember tips for all to take home.

Nanea’s engaging presentation explored the concept of reef-safe sunscreen, challenging a common assumption—there is, in fact, no truly “reef-safe” sunscreen. She encouraged us to think more deeply about our sun protection choices, emphasizing sun-protective clothing as the most effective strategy. Her presentation concluded with a lively interactive quiz, where 12 students demonstrated their learning and were rewarded with rash guards featuring her own hand-screened logo — a thoughtful blend of advocacy and entrepreneurship.

Beyond the assembly, our students continued to engage in hands-on learning opportunities. Our 3rd and 4th graders connected with an 8th-grade Capstone from Kumano, centered on the sacred practice of building an imu. From the hard collaborative work of digging and preparation to the pleasure of cooking and sharing food, students experienced this cultural tradition firsthand, even enjoying the results together (delicious pork and steamed yams!). In this experience, students learned that the imu is more than a method of cooking — it is a collaborative practice rooted in intention, care, and community. As they worked, they spoke about bringing positive energy into the imu, sending aloha into the process so that the food nourishes both body and spirit. They also learned about a special ring built around the imu here in Waimea, a thoughtful adaptation to the unique wind and rain conditions of our area, and how the people of Waimea have long demonstrated ingenuity and expedience in this practice. Altogether, this experience reflected how collective effort can create something far greater than the sum of its parts, extending the 4th grade social studies and science curriculum rooted in Hawaiian culture and history. A truly unique experience you can only find on our island home, led by one of our very own students.

For those interested, you can also take a look at our Capstone E-Shelf on the K–5 Library website, which features media from some of our 5th graders (Class of 2033).

Across classrooms, learning remained vibrant and diverse—kindergarteners studying and observing the metamorphosis of caterpillars, 1st graders engaged in bookmaking, taking their hard copy work into their electronic portfolios, 2nd graders diving into space studies, and so much more. Many classes also seized the teachable moment presented by the historic Artemis II launch this week, sparking curiosity and conversations about space exploration and the future our students will help shape.

Finally, Mrs. Alexa Hustace, our K–5 Art Teacher, is thrilled to announce our annual K–5 Wā Pilina Art Exhibition. We look forward to gathering as a community to celebrate a year of art-making at our Wā Pilina artist receptions with students and their families, held at Isaacs Art Center! At this special annual exhibit, your child will showcase a favorite artwork and connect with fellow artists. Please take note of the different reception times for each grade level on the flyer below, as classes are paired in their Wā Pilina partnerships. Leading up to the exhibition, students will continue to engage in special cross-grade experiences—mentoring, collaborating, and learning together in the spirit of pilina and haʻina.

If you are unable to attend your child’s reception, the exhibition will run from April 14 to May 2, and you are warmly invited to visit at your convenience. The gallery is open Tuesday–Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. On May 1, you may also choose to visit the gallery following our May Day performance, as dismissal will occur immediately after the program.

Mahalo for your continued partnership in supporting your keiki as they grow in wonder, responsibility, and purpose. We look forward to another week of meaningful learning ahead.

Me ka mahalo nui,

Dora Kwong
Lower School Principal

Click through to view the entire gallery

Schedule

Our K-5 classes continue with in-person instruction on our Village Campus on Monday, April 6.

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

• April 3 –4: Middle School Musical, Annie Jr.

• April 14 –May 2: K-5 Wā Pilina Art Reception and Exhibits, Isaacs Art Gallery

• Tuesday, April 28: ʻOhana Association Annual Spring Meeting & Parent Social, 4:30 to 6:30 pm, Upper Campus Energy Lab

• Friday, May 1: Lower School May Day, GPAC

HPA ʻOhana Testimonials

We’re looking to hear from our community!

If you’re a K-12 HPA student or parent/guardian, we’d love for you to share your experience. Your insights help us highlight what makes our school so special and support future families in their journey.

Please take a few minutes to fill out this short form — your voice makes a difference! Mahalo for your time and support.

Submit your testimonial.

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.

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.

Click to expand

News & notes

Aloha Middle School Families,

Mālama Kaiāulu is both a way of learning and a way of living at HPA. Each student contributes to our community through their choices, their engagement, and their alignment with our core values. This past week offered meaningful examples of that care in action. Our 8th graders explored anchialine ponds during their Science huakaʻi, connecting classroom concepts to real-world ecosystems. Our 7th graders continued developing their eco-focused podcasts with intention and purpose. Our 6th graders engaged in a thoughtful pilina circle, reflecting on how trust is built by examining our own assumptions. We are a small Middle School that leans into big questions, and this shared commitment to community continues to bring us together.

I am honored, on behalf Kumu Kūwaluʻs Hawaiian Studies Program, to announce that of the excellent entries to the “Eddie Would Go” Essay Contest in our 8th grade, 3 students received rewards and distinctions:

1st Place: Tulsi Q.

3rd Place: Leimana David C.

5th Place: Finnegan L.

Each student described how the value of Lōkahi was reflected in the actions of Eddie Aikau and how Lōkahi influences their philosophy and actions. Congratulations!

I warmly invite each of you to join us for Annie Jr., our Middle School musical, opening this weekend at GPAC. Featuring students in grades 5 through 8, the production captures the importance of both small and large communities in our lives. It is a joyful reflection of talent, teamwork, and care. A heartfelt mahalo to Ms. Kelly Wadlegger and Ms. Mallory DiBartolo, along with the production team, Mr. Ari Bernstein and Ms. Taylor Morgan, for guiding this work and bringing Upper School expertise to support our Middle School performers.

Performance times are as follows:
• Friday, April 3 at 6:30 p.m. at GPAC
• Saturday, April 4 at 2:00 p.m. at GPAC

We hope to see you there.

Aloha,

Michael Cservenak
Middle School Principal

Click through to view the entire gallery