Week of 4/4/25
What's Happening at HPA This Week?
Message from the Head of School
Aloha HPA ʻohana,
Time.
As we wrap another week at HPA, I’m reminded of how quickly time passes and how precious our moments together are, especially when I look at our seniors. I remember child psychologist and distinguished author Dr. Michael Thompson visiting our assembly a few years back to discuss the pressure of school and the college process. Dr. Thompson highlighted for us just how short our high school (or any school division) and college years are when related to our lifespan.
This time is important—not only to ground us in the moment but also to inspire us to use it meaningfully. The laughter, the challenges, the lessons we share, and the bonds we create during this short window of development—these moments are fleeting. Once they pass, they become memories and reference points that inspire new horizons, but they’re left behind.
It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle of daily life, but I encourage all of us to pause and truly be present. The people around us, the experiences we’re having, and the space we’re in right now are uniquely ours—and they hold a special kind of magic. Let’s take a moment to appreciate this time, knowing that it will shape who we become in the years ahead.
This awareness of time and the call to focus on now surface for me often at this time of year. Inspired by my aunt, who wore her graduation sash every day while teaching her senior English class at a city school with notoriously low graduation rates, I wore my regalia yesterday to speak to our senior class. While our crew isn’t at risk of not graduating (barring any fourth-quarter shenanigans!), I wanted to catch their attention with a visual cue—something to gently dial in their focus for this final stretch.
We’re just 32 school days away from seeing me in that regalia again—this time on stage, shaking hands in front of their loved ones. My message to them was short.
Four things: We love you. Take care of each other. Hold each other accountable. And—like I started—we love you.
As I’ve written often this year, there are layers to love. My hope and plea to our seniors was simple: show up, be present, and enjoy one another. That’s what matters. Rarely in the decades ahead will they stand with 90 or so peers they’ve lived alongside for one year, a few years, or even 13 years. Life just doesn’t gather us like that again.
Fewer and fewer people will know—or care—where you are or what you’re doing. While that can feel freeing, it also lacks the depth of care and community we have right now.
This time is special. There’s no need to be overly sentimental or nostalgic—or to walk around crying and hugging each other for the next six weeks—but doggonit, show up for each other.
The relationships we nurture today—whether with our students, our friends, or one another—will outlast this moment and form the foundation for what comes next. Love is shown in how we show up for each other, in the grit we apply to our challenges, and in the respect we offer as we grow together. The connections we make here will guide us through the next chapters of our lives. Let’s honor the time we have, the people we’re with, and the way we embrace these final days of the school year.
Whether you have a senior, a middle schooler, or a kindergartener, you can feel the shift in energy right now. There’s a rush in the wind and a buzz at the edges—people sensing the finish line. Sometimes, it brings disruption or distraction.
Help your kid(s) stay present. Encourage them to really see their classmates. Reflect on where they began in the fall and where they are now. The friendships—both new and old. The skills they’ve built, the lessons they’ve learned, the information they’ve gathered, and the curiosities they’ve sparked. Hopefully, they’ve grown a deeper love for themselves and for those who share their space each day (yes, even us parents of teenagers!).
In closing, I’ll leave you with a question that always gives me a playful smile and a deep inhale at the possibilities ahead. In her famous poem “The Summer Day,” Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Mary Oliver asks: “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”
It’s a question that invites us to slow down, savor the present, and be grateful for the time we have right now.
Thank you for sharing this time with me each week—to ask, wonder, and reflect—together. Let’s lean into the home stretch of the school year and slow down. It’s a blink.
Happy Aloha Friday!
Gratefully,
Fred Wawner
Head of School
School Bulletins for the Week of 4/4/25
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!
It is the season of culminating events and Mrs. Alexa Hustace, K-5 Art Teacher, is thrilled to announce our K-5 Wā Pilina Art Exhibition. Let’s celebrate a year of art-making at our wā pilina artist receptions! This April, your child will showcase a favorite artwork and connect with fellow artists at Isaacs Art Center. Please take note of the different reception times for each grade level on the flyer below. They are paired together in their Wā Pilina partnerships, and prior to the show students will experience special activities to connect across grade levels, mentor, and learn from one another. Whether younger or older, our students experience opportunities to collaborate in the spirit of pilina and haʻina. If you are unable to attend the reception, not to worry! The exhibition will run from April 15 to May 2, so you may also view it at your leisure. Isaacs Art Center is open Tuesday to Saturday from 9 am to 4 pm. On May 2, you might also visit the gallery following our May Day performance.
Speaking of May Day, the children have eagerly practiced for their upcoming hoʻike. As our Hawaiian Studies continue with their waʻa-themed learning this year, you may have noticed Kumu Kūwaluʻs sharing of mele and hula on our Seesaw platform. Please help your child(ren) by practicing at home and supporting their confidence in preparation for our special day. On the day of the performance, Friday, May 2, we invite all families, Kindergarten – 5th grade, to join us at Gates Performing Arts Center for our 9:30 am show. Doors will open at 9 am, and children will be dismissed immediately following the performance. Please bring your entire ʻohana to celebrate our keikiʻs pursuit of excellence!
As in past years, many hands support our special May Day performance and celebration. There are two very important volunteer opportunities to help our children prepare for this day. First, Wednesday, April 30, our ʻOhana Association will be hosting lei making for each of our classes at the Village Campus after school. Families can help by harvesting and preparing ti leaf, making ti leaf lei, or teaching others how to make lei. Second, our ʻOhana Association will gather volunteers for stage decorating at Gates Performing Arts Center on Thursday, May 1. Families help here by harvesting and preparing native plants, and then hanging and decorating together. If you are interested in these opportunities to support our student showcase, please save these dates and look out for further communication with more details.
Finally, just a reminder tonight is our last First Friday Game Night! Join us in the Village Campus Lynn Taylor Library for an evening of fun, laughter, and friendly competition! Whether you’re looking to learn a new game or share your favorite one with others, there’s something for everyone! 4:30 to 7:30 pm, light snacks provided.
Thank you for your support and collaboration for our keiki these upcoming celebratory days! I look forward to seeing you all very soon.
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, April 7
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
• Wednesday, April 9: Village Campus Author Visit, 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 30: ʻOhana Lei-making in preparation for May Day, VC Classrooms
• Thursday, May 1: ʻOhana May Day Stage Decorating, GPAC
• 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.
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,
I am so proud of the ways our talented middle schoolers are being recognized—not only within our school but throughout the larger community. This week, I’m excited to share that two of our 8th-grade students, Vaiana Lussiaa and Ada Olbrych, were honored for their thoughtful writing in the ‘Eddie Would Go’ Essay Contest.
In this statewide competition, students were asked to reflect on how the Hawaiian value of Kahiau—to give generously from the heart, without expecting anything in return—guides their actions and worldview. Ada earned an Honorable Mention, and Vaiana placed 3rd overall in the contest. I’m incredibly proud of both of these young women—not just for their accolades, but for the depth of reflection and personal insight in their writing.
What makes this even more meaningful is how their work represents the kind of cross-curricular collaboration we value at HPA. This project asked students to combine their understanding of Hawaiian values with strong expository writing skills—a real integration of cultural learning and communication. I firmly believe that writing is thinking, and each time our students are asked to organize their thoughts, make meaning, and express their insights in writing, we are witnessing their growth as critical thinkers.
I encourage you to ask your student about their writing. It’s a great window into how they’re processing what they’re learning and how they see themselves in the world.
As mentioned in last week’s bulletin, we’re looking forward to an author visit from Christina Soontornvat this week, followed by our 8th-grade Capstone Presentations next week. These events offer more opportunities for students to share their voices, reflect on their learning, and connect with our greater school community.
Thank you for your continued support of our students as they learn to lead, think, and express themselves with purpose and heart.
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, April 7.
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
• Wednesday, April 9: Village Campus Author Visit, 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
• Wednesday, 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,
As we approach the end of the year, we want to encourage our families and students to be mindful of proper sleep, nutrition, and exercise to enhance their ability to gain knowledge. “Control the controllable” is a well-known quote that comes to mind. We must keep things in perspective and consider what’s in our control and what is not.
In his article “High Performers Control the Controllables,” Alan Stein Jr. writes that there are only two things in the world we can control 100% of the time: our effort and our attitude. He goes on to say, and we’ve all heard this before, that we can’t control what other people say or do or how challenging the material on an exam may be, but we can control our response or reaction.
Thank you for partnering with us to help our learners maintain a positive attitude and perspective and work to their fullest potential as we near final exams and presentations.
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 a Mamo day with in-person instruction on our Upper Campus on Monday, April 7.
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
• 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
Prom – April 19, 2025
We have officially sold out of Prom tickets! We are working with the Four Seasons to see if we can have those on the waitlist attend. If this happens, Ms. Watson will reach out to those students.
Prom Dress Donations
Every year we loan out dresses to offset the cost of prom season. If you have any dresses that you are no longer using, please consider donating them to HPA. All next week we will have students trying on dresses. Please reach out to Liz Watson at lwatson@hpa.edu or drop off the dress(es) to the Student Life office.
Student Council Elections
Student body elections have begun!
President & Vice President
April 7 – Speeches & Voting
April 8 – Winners announced
Class Representatives
April 7 – applications due
April 11 – Speeches at a special Class Meeting & Voting
April 12 – Winners announced
Secretary & Treasurer
April 9 – applications due
April 15 – Speeches & Voting
April 16 – Winners announced
Executive Dorm Representative
April 9 – applications due
April 21 – Speeches All-Res Dorm Meeting & Voting
April 22 – Winners announced
Senior Privileges
If you are a senior parent and you have not already completed the senior privileges permission form in myHPA, please log into myHPA, and if it has not been completed, you will see a yellow bar at the top of the screen with blue writing, please click on that to complete the form – only one signature needed.
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.
Hele-On Bus Passengers – Shuttle from Village Campus to Upper Campus
For students who take the late bus, the shuttle will be parked at the bus stop just past the Waiaka Bridge on Kawaihae Road by 8:20 am. For questions or more information, you can contact Auxiliary Services at 808-881-4041 or email auxiliary@hpa.edu.
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
While the fourth quarter is a time for completion and celebration, it is also a time for preparation- over the next several weeks, we will be doing much of the work to prepare for next school year in our residential community, including planning curriculum and activities, calendars, and of course leadership roles.
This past week, applications were due for next year’s dormitory prefects, and the interview process will begin next week. Prefects represent an important part of our community, as they serve as a bridge between the faculty and their fellow students. Tasked with managing some aspects of the evening schedule, they also serve as peer counselors, mediators, and as an example for younger students. We look forward to meeting with all of the students interested in this role, and expect to have final decisions before the end of April.
Finally, we are excited to announce that beginning in August 2025, HPA will have dedicated full-time dormitory heads. This new role will be able to more fully dedicate their time to the care of our boarding students, while helping to grow and develop our program in exciting new ways! We are immensely grateful to our current dormitory heads, Mrs. McGrath, Ms. Brewer, and Dr. Ravaglia, for all of their passion, creativity, energy, and care for our students that they brought to this role. Each of them have impacted the community in their own ways, and we are better for their contributions. As we move to our new staffing model, many of the pillars of our program will remain- there will still be check-ins, study hall, dorm jobs, activities, and opportunities for growth and connection! But we are excited for the opportunities that having a team of dedicated professionals in these roles will provide.
Perry-Fiske Hall will be headed up by Mr. John Moltz, who has served HPA in the attendance office since joining us in 2018, as well as in coordinating our weekend activities. He will continue his work with the weekend activities program in addition to providing leadership in Perry-Fiske.
Carter Hall will be led by Mrs. Vaipuarii Tapiero-Kight (‘05), who is an HPA alumna and returned to our community to teach in the English department in 2022. In addition to steering Carter Hall, she will also take on coordination of student leaves through Orah, as well as coordinating travel to and from school for school breaks.
Robertson Hall will be rejoined by Mr. Hamilton Ford (‘05), who has served as Dorm Head there in past years. In addition to overseeing Robertson, Mr. Ford will continue to provide programmatic oversight to the entire residential community and serve as team leader for this group of Dorm Heads!
We are excited for what the future holds in our community, and look forward to sharing more with you as our program continues to improve and grow!
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
Next Steps for Seniors: Committing to College
By now seniors should have received decisions from all of the colleges they applied to. Here are the next steps:
- Once a student has decided which college to attend, they should indicate their college of choice by marking it as “Enrolling” in their college list in Scoir. They must also complete the college’s enrollment process by May 1, including paying any applicable deposits.
- Seniors should update their admissions results for ALL of the colleges they have applied to in Scoir. College Counseling aggregates this anonymous data to benefit future Ka Makani in predict their chances of admission at individual schools.
- If you have any questions, or you’d like help weighing your options or interpreting your financial aid packages, please come see us. We’re here to help!
- Remember: May 1 is the universal reply deadline to make your final decision and submit your deposit.
Next Steps for Juniors
School Day ACT for Juniors on Thursday, April 8
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 Your Third Individual Meeting
Mr. Kelsey and Mrs. Montgomery are available for individual meetings. Please click below to select a 30-minute time slot for an individual appointment with your assigned counselor. All meetings should be scheduled during free periods and will be in the College Counseling Center.
If you need any help with scheduling appointments, please contact us directly at college@hpa.edu.
Complete Self-Input and Parent/Guardian-Input Forms
Juniors and their Parents/Guardians are requested to complete these two forms by the end of the Spring Semester. These input forms are used by our college counselors to assist in writing the counselor letter for college applications in the senior year. The specific details and insights shared in these input forms are always very helpful.
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.
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.
Summer at HPA
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 lau niu basket-weaving workshop on Tuesday, April 15, with Umi Cabrera-Zuke, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm.
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
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.