Week of 5/1/26
What's Happening at HPA This Week?
School Bulletins for the Week of 5/1/26
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.
News & notes
Aloha Lower School ʻOhana!
As we enter the final twelve days of school (yes, that is correct; no, I cannot believe it!), our days continue to be filled with meaningful learning and vibrant activity. This is a time of both deep engagement and well-earned celebration, as students wrap up projects, demonstrate their growth, and participate in special events that mark the culmination of a rich and rewarding school year.
Annual Lower School Rainbow Day – Friday, May 8
Friday, May 8, will be our fifth annual Lower School Rainbow Day. A Lower School Student Council-initiated day to celebrate our diverse community, Rainbow Day aims to celebrate the uniqueness of everyone, a day to honor acceptance, happiness, joy, and pride. “We are all unique. Together, we make a beautiful rainbow.” Student Council leaders are planning different activities for students to choose from during our recess periods, and everyone is encouraged to wear their class color as we form a Lower School rainbow!
What are the assigned class colors?
- 5th: red
- 4th: orange
- 3rd: yellow
- 2nd: green
- 1st: blue/indigo
- Kindergarten: violet/purple
Our Student Council leaders are looking forward to celebrating our school spirit and diversity as a community on this special day!
Summer Equestrian Opportunities
Summer is a great time for keiki to take advantage of HPA’s riding classes for keiki age 8 and up. Programs run through June and July, and you can reach out to Judy Folk (jfolk@hpa.edu) or see these forms for more information, including registration.
Lower School May Day
At the time of this publishing, our Lower School community is celebrating our wonderful keiki in their annual May Day performance, under the theme of “He Wai E Mana; He Wai E Ola! E Ola Nō!” I cannot say enough how proud I am of their pursuit of excellence in this culminating celebration of their learning. Thank you for your support of our children, our school, and our shared mission. If you or your family members were unable to catch it live, tune in here to get a sense of the magic of the day.
New 2nd Grade Teacher for 26-27 School Year
Finally, we are thrilled to announce our new 2nd grade teacher for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year. A current 3rd grade teacher from Pueblo, Colorado, Ms. Love brings a strong and well-rounded background in elementary education. She holds a Master’s degree in English Language Teaching and Learning, along with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and History from Colorado State University–Pueblo. Her experience spans Kindergarten through 3rd grade, and she has also served as a Reading Interventionist, deepening her expertise in targeted literacy support. Ms. Love is passionate about individualized literacy instruction, outdoor education, and fostering high levels of student engagement, ensuring that each child is both supported and inspired in their learning journey.
Below is a message from Ms. Love herself:
Aloha! My name is Ilura Love, and I am thrilled to join the HPA community! I was born in Southern Colorado, where I live now, but I grew up in New Mexico. I found my love for teaching after high school when I started coaching the youth girls lacrosse team I played on when I was younger. After a few months of coaching, I knew I had found my calling. I have now been teaching for five years, and it has been the most rewarding career. When people first meet me, they tell me my laugh and my smile are contagious, and it’s true. I have a love for adventure and will always try new things. Whether it’s climbing mountains, snowboarding, or rafting down huge rivers, I am always the first person to say ‘Yes’. I fell in love with Waimea long before I knew about HPA. My dad lived in Waimea for almost 20 years, and when I first visited him, I knew exactly why he wanted to stay. The community is beautiful and strong, and it feels like a breath of fresh air. I am beyond delighted to join your community at HPA and be a strong pillar of love and support for all of our students. Mahalo nui loa, I cannot wait to meet you all!
We are so grateful to our hiring committee, who spent many weeks interviewing to find the just-right candidate for our lower school students. I hope you will join me in welcoming Ms. Ilura Love to the HPA ʻohana in the fall.
Me ka mahalo nui,

Dora Kwong
Lower School Principal
Schedule
Our K-5 classes continue with in-person instruction on our Village Campus on Tuesday, May 5.
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 14 –May 2: K-5 Wā Pilina Art Reception and Exhibits, Isaacs Art Gallery
• Monday, May 4: K-8 Faculty Work Day, no classes
• Wednesday, May 6: ʻOhana Association K-8 Faculty Appreciation Event (volunteer here)
• Friday, May 8: Lower School Rainbow Day
• Tuesday, May 19: Last Day of After-School Program
• Wednesday, May 20: Last Day of School
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.
News & notes
Aloha Middle School Families,
May the 4th be with YOU.
You may have had the same experience I did when sharing a favorite movie from your childhood with your own kids. I remember watching the original Star Wars with my boys and seeing their eyes light up at the big moments, hearing the gasps, and watching them lean into the wonder of the Force. For young people, that sense of connection is real. They feel energy, excitement, and pressure in a very immediate way.
As we enter the final weeks of the school year, I am reminded of that balance our students are navigating. There is a lot happening. Projects are wrapping up, performances are approaching, and families are preparing for summer. It can feel like a pull in many directions at once. At the same time, this is an important moment for students to center themselves and give their best effort to the work in front of them.
At school, we see students stepping into this challenge with focus and resilience. They are finishing strong, supporting one another, and continuing to grow. It is a great reminder that even during busy and sometimes stressful moments, our students have the ability to steady themselves and do meaningful work.
So while I may not have a profound takeaway beyond my appreciation for Star Wars and a lifelong connection to Luke Skywalker’s journey, I do know this: our students are capable of meeting this moment with purpose and care. The Force, in its own way, is with them as they navigate these final days of the school year.
An incredible WOW to our Lower School students and the incredible Kumu Kūwalu on a profound and moving May Day!
As a reminder, there are no classes for K-8 students on Monday, May 4 due to a Faculty Work Day.
Please read the announcements below carefully for important events and information.
Middle School Performing Arts Showcase on Thursday, May 7
If your student is enrolled in a Performing Arts course:
Acting, Musical Theater, Theater Tech, 6th grade Performing Arts, and/or Ukulele
Ms. Wadlegger and Ms. DiBartolo have an incredible show for you this Thursday starting at 2 p.m. @ GPAC – you will be treated to incredible demonstrations of the ʻforceʻ of the performing arts!
All Middle School Students will be picked up from GPAC @ 3:10 p.m. on Thursday, May 7
Teacher Appreciation Week
We’ll be celebrating our Village Campus teachers on Wednesday, May h, with a special after‑school get‑together to say thank you for all they do. Click here to see the Sign-Up Genius on ways to contribute.
If you’re able, please consider contributing:
- Gifts & Gift Cards:
Gift cards (in $20.00 amounts) and small gifts for teacher gift bags. The original for these was May 1. Contact ʻOhana by email below if you have more to contribute. - Food Donations:
If you’d like to donate food, please bring it during afternoon pick‑up on Wednesday, May 6. We’ll pick it up curbside.
Thank you for helping us make this day extra special for our teachers!
Points of Contact:
- Lower School: Angelian Forrest, Ohana LS VP – forrestsf2010@gmail.com
- Middle School: Emily Hoover, Ohana MS VP – 808‑896‑6629 or emilyphoover@gmail.com
Summer Equestrian Opportunities
Summer is a great time for keiki to take advantage of HPA’s riding classes for keiki age 8 and up. Programs run through June and July, and you can reach out to Judy Folk (jfolk@hpa.edu) or see these forms for more information, including registration.
Thank you for your continued support as we help our students finish the year strong.
Aloha,

Michael Cservenak
Middle School Principal
Schedule
Our Middle School 2025-2026 Daily Schedule continues with in-person instruction on our Village Campus on Tuesday, May 5.
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
• Monday, May 4: K-8 Faculty Work Day, no classes
• Wednesday, May 6: ʻOhana Association K-8 Faculty Appreciation Event (volunteer here)
• Thursday, May 7: Middle School Performing Arts Showcase
• Saturday, May 9: 8th Grade Dinner Dance at Anna’s Ranch
• Wednesday, May 20: 8th Grade Transition
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, 2025-2026’.
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’.
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.
News & notes
Mahalo ‘Ohana Association
On behalf of the Upper School faculty and staff, we would like to thank the ʻOhana Association, specifically their Board, Chris Collinson, Kaliko Grace, Angelina Forrest, Abi Donovan, and the numerous other parents who put on the event, for the lunch and gifts they provided this past Monday, April 27. MAHALO for your recognition of the work the HPA faculty and staff do to support students.
AP Exams – May 4 through 15
HPA will administer AP exams according to the national schedule, beginning on May 4 and ending on May 15. All exams must be taken at their scheduled times or during the designated make-up sessions (May 18-21). We recognize that some state tournament schedules may conflict with exam dates. In such cases, students will be required to complete their exams during the official make-up window, in accordance with College Board policies. Please refer to the official AP exam schedule. A copy of the detailed schedule and instructions from our Academic Office, sent April 25, is found HERE
The Upper School Art Department Showcase – Second Semester 2025-2026
HPA’s Upper School Art Department proudly presents Hoʻonanea: Our Spring Arts Showcase! Join us for this joyful two-day celebration of the arts on Tuesday, May 12 and Wednesday, May 13.

Tuesday, May 12 Festivities begin at the Gates Performing Arts Center at 1:50 PM with a dynamic Performing Arts Showcase. This event features students from Acting, Movement for Actors, Digital Media: AI, Arts Fundamentals – Performing Arts, Instrumental Ensemble, and Musicianship.
Wednesday, May 13 Don’t miss our morning reception with refreshments from 8:00–9:00 AM at the Gerry Clark Art Center Open Studio Exhibition. This showcase features student work in Drawing, Collage, Painting, Printmaking, Freshman Fundamentals, and Photography.
We close our Spring Showcase with our Combined Middle & Upper School Music Concert in Davies Chapel, starting at 5:00 PM on May 13.
Hoʻonanea means to enjoy, to delight, to be pleased, and to be at ease—all things that art brings into our lives. We hope you’ll join us in celebrating the incredible creativity of our students.
Hoʻonanea pū mai me mākou—come relax and celebrate with us!
Cell Phone Survey for Guardians
Over the past few months, we have been reflecting on how cell phones are appearing in our Upper School classrooms and across our campus—both the opportunities they offer and the challenges they can pose to our students’ focus, learning, and connection. As part of this process, we are gathering input from families and students to help guide our next steps.
As we consider whether to maintain our current expectations or move toward a more consistent, schoolwide approach during the academic day, your perspective is important. We invite you to complete a short survey if you have not already done so. Mahalo to the families who have already completed the survey.
Have a great weekend,

Mark Noetzel
Assistant Head of School for Upper School
Schedule
Our Upper School 2025-2026 Daily Schedule will resume with in-person instruction on our Upper Campus on Monday, May 4.
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 openings and closures) can also be located on the Upper School Family Resources tile located in myHPA.
Coming Up
• May 4 – 15: AP Exams
• Monday, May 11: HPA Academic Awards Program, Castle Gymnasium, 3:15 pm
• Thursday, May 21: Baccalaureate Services, Class of 2026
• Friday, May 22: Commencement Ceremony, Class of 2026, Castle Gymnasium
Student Support
Should your child need additional learning or counseling support, we encourage you to reach out to:
- US Learning Specialist: Spencer Williams at swilliams@hpa.edu
- US Counselor: Tiffany Freitas at tfreitas@hpa.edu or 808-881-4038
- US Counselor: Steve Furchner at sfurchner@hpa.edu or 808-881-4038
Testing
AP Exams May 4-8 and May 11-15 – Late Testing May 18-22
Please reference the email that was sent on April 25 outlining the details of testing.
AP Attendance:
On Test Day
Morning Exams: Students must attend afternoon classes assuming there is still instruction/review that is beneficial for upcoming final exams. Students may skip morning classes to further prepare for an afternoon AP exam.
After Test Day
Seniors: If the senior is passing conduct and a parent has signed the senior privilege form, they may be excused from attending further AP classes after the completion of the AP exam.
Freshman-Juniors: Must continue to attend AP classes until the last day of classes. Teachers are not required to conduct further assessments and may use the time to introduce topics that are difficult to include in AP curriculums.
Summer Internship Opportunity
HIP Agriculture in North Kohala is offering a paid summer internship for students ages 14-19, focused on hands-on learning in agriculture and ʻāina stewardship.

Ka Makani Athletics
Spring season is here! Go KA MAKANI!
Track & Field
Saturday, May 2, at Kamehameha, 9 am
Flag Football
Saturday, May 2, at HPA, BIIF Semi Final
Catch the action
Watch the Ka Makani action as it happens! Watch HPA sports live on Hudl and never miss a play.
Ka Makani Travel
Labor Day Weekend September, 2026
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Thanksgiving Break November, 2026
San Diego & Los Angeles led by Ms. White & Ms. Scarth
New York City (TENTATIVE)
Student Informational Meeting Tuesday, May 12, 2:00 – 2:30 pm in Classroom #13
January Long Weekend, 2027
Oʻahu
February Long Weekend, 2027
Glamping on Maui
Spring Break March, 2027
Japan: Land of the Rising Sun with EF Tours led by Mrs. Inaba & Mr. Piercy
New Zealand led by Ms. White, Ms. Kight, Mr. Ford & Mr. Moltz
Spring Break March, 2028
Europe at Leisure with Sorrento Extension with EF Tours
Thailand with Rustic Pathways
To express interest in joining any of the trips planned, please complete this form: Travel Survey
Please contact Ka Makani Travel Coordinator Adrienne White (awhite@hpa.edu) for information regarding travel eligibility and registration.
Residential Life
This weekend we will have the final showdown for this year’s Dorm Wars competition, with street hockey, skills challenges with chopsticks, and more! Right now, Robertson Hall holds a lead against the other two dorms, and is hoping to end the year with a “three-peat” after winning the last two years in a row! But Perry-Fiske and Carter are close behind, so the games are not over yet!
On Monday, May 4, we will announce the winners of this year’s Dorm Wars competition at our final Formal Dinner of the year! In addition to announcing this year’s Dorm Wars Champion, the Dormitory Representatives will also present Senior Residential “Awards” to the graduating seniors. The theme for the dinner is May the 4th Be With You!, and our friends in the dining hall at FLIK have prepared a Star Wars-themed menu for the evening! We look forward to sharing the final Dorm Wars results with you next week, and May the 4th Be With You!
College Counseling
College Acceptance Next Steps
April has arrived, which means our seniors have received their college decisions. Congratulations! We are excited for the opportunities ahead for our seniors and the positive impact they will have in the world.
Below are some important next steps for seniors:
Choosing a College
For students who have been accepted to multiple colleges, the next step is deciding which one is the best fit. Don’t worry about finding the one “perfect” college; there’s no such thing. Instead, focus on finding a place to thrive. Questions to consider:
- How many first-year students return?
- What is the graduation rate?
- How strong is the college in my intended major(s)?
- What opportunities exist for hands-on learning or research?
- What would I do for fun there?
- Can I see myself being happy and successful?
- Is this option financially comfortable for my family?
- Does this school meet my “must-haves?”
College Financial Aid
Affordability is an important factor for many families. If this is the case for you, you’re not alone.
- Talk openly with your family about what is financially feasible.
- Use tools (like those from the College Board) to compare offers.
- Ask us! We have been reading financial aid offers for decades and can help you understand and compare your financial aid packages.
I’ve Chosen My College—Now What?
Once you’ve made your decision:
- Submit your enrollment deposit by the deadline
- Decline your other offers*
Sending a brief email to colleges thanking them for their offer of admission and letting them know you will not be attending is a thoughtful step, as it allows them to offer your spot and any financial aid or scholarship to another student.
Update SCOIR
Please update your SCOIR account with your final admissions results.
- Select “Enrolling” for the college you will attend (This ensures we send your final transcript to the correct school).
- Please update all of your colleges in SCOIR with “Accepted,” Denied,” “Deferred” or “Withdrawn.” Your personal information remains confidential, and this data helps us support future students.
Please stop by or reach out anytime via email college@hpa.edu. We’re always happy to help.
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, 2025-2026.
Whom to Contact at HPA
If you are unsure whom 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.
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.
Advancement & Alumni
Teacher & Staff Appreciation
The ʻOhana Association is excited to celebrate our incredible teachers and staff!
Village Campus – Wednesday, May 6
Our Village Campus teachers give so much of themselves every day—guiding, inspiring, and supporting our keiki with heart and dedication. To celebrate them, we’ll be hosting a special after-school gathering in their honor. If you’re able to contribute an item or two, we would be so grateful.
Sign up to help!
Please sign up here to volunteer, donate, or contribute items for either the Upper Campus or the Village Campus.
Mahalo for helping us make these celebrations special and for showing our appreciation for the amazing educators who care for and inspire our keiki every day.
Isaacs Art Center
Isaacs Art Center is free and open to the public, Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 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.
Summer at HPA Enrollment is Now Open!
We’re excited to announce that Summer at HPA is officially open for enrollment! Families can now sign up for our Academy Program, Ka Makani Keiki Camp, and Enrichment Swimming sessions.
Check out our current program listings on the Summer at HPA page on the school website, or enroll directly through our CampSite Enrollment form.
If you have any questions, please email summer@hpa.edu
We look forward to another amazing summer!
Admissions
The admissions office is busy with final enrollment for the upcoming academic year. Please reach out to the office with any questions in this area admissions@hpa.edu . We are happy to assist!
Safety Protocols
Campus Access
Campus access is limited to current students, employees, essential contractors, and approved guests. 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.
If a family member of a student needs to meet with a faculty, staff, or administrative team member, please contact them to arrange a meeting on 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. Follow up with your supervisor ASAP.
- Anything out of the ordinary: email Dan Wilkinson, HPA Security Supervisor at dwilkinson@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.

