Week of 8/22/25

What's Happening at HPA This Week?

Message from the Head of School

Aloha HPA ʻohana,

Leaving the friendly skies of last week’s message and getting down to our roots…

Today our Upper School students gathered with their classmates for our annual retreats: each class with a different schedule, but all with the common purpose of connecting as a unit. Building bonds that will last them a lifetime. For the senior class, today is particularly special. Their retreat begins with a hike up Puʻu Laʻe Laʻe to the storied Ka Makani tree. This is a journey that each senior class must take. A moment in time that marks an important milestone — the start of their final year as HPA students (and for some, maybe their first encounter with a cow patty).

Sitting here now I can picture them, moving steadily up the trail toward the old ʻōhiʻa tree. Light tradewinds and blue skies. Some walk in quiet reflection, others in laughter and conversation, and some of us red-faced and panting for air, but all with the same destination. It is a tradition that happens every year, yet it never feels quite the same. Each class adds their own stories, their own energy, their own meaning to the path.

Gathered together, they stand beneath the wide wind-bent branches — just as generations of Ka Makani have before them. They place their hands on the trunk, take in the sweeping views of South Kohala and Maunakea, and feel, perhaps without even realizing it, the significance and wonder of belonging to something timeless and a bit bigger than themselves. A photo captures the moment. Deeply rooted and continuously reaching, this tree holds the hopes, dreams, and memories of countless students who once stood exactly where they stand now.

Like pilina — connectedness — a continuing theme of our academic programs, this ritual binds them to one another and to the legacy of HPA. It connects past to present, and present to future — a living thread of community and continuity. A reminder that strong relationships are the foundation of success and well-being. Even when, at the end of the year, they scatter to different colleges, careers, and countries, they will remain connected as Ka Makani. That tree will still stand, holding their place in our story.

Our newest students arrived just weeks ago, making their way to our Waimea campuses — many from far-off places, bringing with them their own languages, traditions, and ideas. They are now part of this same journey. Though the trail may sometimes feel steep or the footprints too large — full of new routines, challenges, and discoveries — they, too, will find their rhythm. Over time, they will come to see that they are not walking alone. They are part of something larger — an enduring community built on care, reciprocity, and deep connection.

When I get to greet our youngest learners at Village Campus drop-off each morning, swinging open their door and handing me their lunchcan, I try to envision their path to this special gathering as seniors beneath our Ka Makani tree. While footwear may have been a struggle for some of them today (we’ve all been there!), I imagine them walking in the footsteps of those who have come before, and those still to come. And it reminds me that what we build here together — through our learning, our relationships, and our shared purpose — lasts far beyond the time we spend here at HPA.

We are, and always will be, Ka Makani — rooted in this place, reaching toward what’s ahead, and forever.

Here’s to a weekend filled with connection and wonder!

Gratefully,

Fred Wawner
Head of School

School Bulletins for the Week of 8/22/25

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.

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Coming Up: Enrichment Day

Aloha Lower School ʻOhana,

Next Friday, August 29, we will have a very special day of learning and connection for all students in grades K-5 – Lower School Enrichment Day! This is a regular school day from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. However, this intentionally designed day provides an intensive, interdisciplinary, and experiential learning experience where students benefit from the expertise of their specialist teachers, collaborate with peers across grade levels, and engage deeply in the spirit of mālama kaiāulu.

Students will participate in “buddy” partnerships with another grade level (Kindergarten with 3rd grade, 1st with 4th grade, and 2nd with 5th). This pairing reinforces a program we started five years ago, Wā Pilina — wā meaning “time,” and pilina meaning “connectedness” or the symbiotic relationship among all things. Among the many goals of Wā Pilina, we strive to help students build community, support inquiry, connect meaningfully across age groups, and nurture intellectual, social-emotional, and moral growth.

The theme for this year’s Enrichment Day is Haʻina, explored through the lens of Hole Waimea, our beloved school oli. Sharing our story through Hole Waimea allows us to honor Waimeaʻs winds and landscapes, while also serving as a poetic metaphor for our love and connection to this storied place.

Throughout the day, students will take part in cross-curricular enrichment classes and activities led by specialist teachers working together. Learning will focus on three areas: music & movement, research & technology, and garden & art. We will begin the day with a full-school morning assembly to ground our purpose and close with an afternoon assembly for reflection and connection.

Enrichment Day also provides dedicated time for K-5 faculty to meet individually with students for the first of three benchmark reading assessments using the Fountas and Pinnell Benchmark Assessment System. These assessments guide grade-level teachers in helping students choose independent reading books that can be read with minimal support. They also provide teachers with valuable data for planning guided reading instruction. Most students (though not all) will have the opportunity to read one-on-one with their teacher during the day.

Logistics & Attire
Enrichment Day follows the same schedule and lunch procedures as a regular school day. Every child should bring a water bottle, an extra layer, and a rain jacket. Please have your child come dressed in PE attire and comfortable running shoes, as students will be engaged in both indoor and outdoor movement throughout the day. Checking the Waimea weather forecast in the morning will help you decide whether rain boots are also needed.

We are excited for all the learning, discovery, and connection that Enrichment Day will bring!

Supporting Students as Lifelong Readers
Families play an essential role in developing their child’s literacy skills. Some meaningful ways to support your child(ren) include:

Encouraging them to choose books that interest and excite them
Visiting the community library together
Reading books to and with your child, and discussing them
Listening to your child read aloud, and sharing thoughts together
Modeling your own love of reading and talking about the books you enjoy

Children often develop the ability to decode words fluently before their prediction and inference skills are fully formed. Engaging in “book talks” together helps foster these deeper comprehension skills that go beyond the text. Most importantly, enjoy your family time together reading, writing, and sharing stories.

Dismissal
Mahalo for your patience as we continue to refine our dismissal process. To keep traffic flowing and minimize impact on town:

Please pull all the way forward in the roundabout closest to the first teacher (stationed in front of Ulumau Garden).
If your child needs help buckling in, kindly assist them, as teachers may not be familiar with each car seat.
If your childʻs class is not yet dismissed, please park in the lot and walk to the waiting area in front of Ulumau Garden, rather than waiting in the roundabout.
For everyone’s safety, pets (including dogs) must remain in vehicles.

Your cooperation helps us keep dismissal safe and efficient. Mahalo for your kōkua!

Room Parents
We are looking for additional room parents to support our classrooms this year! Room parents play a vital role by coordinating activities, assisting teachers, and strengthening community connections. If you are interested or would like more information, please email our Lower School ʻOhana representative, Angelina Forrest (ohana_vplower@hpa.edu). We would love your help!

Mahalo for your support of our Lower Schoolers. Wishing you a wonderful weekend with your ʻohana!

Dora Kwong
Lower School Principal

Note: In the coming weeks, we’ll be introducing a new format for this section to spotlight the connections and stories happening across our division.

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4.9.26 Lower School with UC Capstone_Dylan Vincent_Gyotaku Painting Demo

Schedule

Our K-5 classes continue with in-person instruction on our Village Campus on Monday, August 25.

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, August 27, at 2 pm: Early Release Wednesday

• Friday, August 29: Lower School Enrichment Day; students wear HPA red

• Monday, September 1: Labor Day holiday, no classes K-12, school closed

• Wednesday, September 3: School Picture Day

• Friday, September 19: Faculty Work Day, all divisions, no classes K-8

After School Program, K-5

Please email our Director of After School Programs, Mrs. Mele DeMille (mdemille@hpa.edu), if you would like your child to attend. You may refer to this email for our Lower School families with more information.

Past Email Communications

All past email communications can be accessed by visiting the Lower School Family Resources tile on myHPA and scrolling down to Past Parent Email Communications, 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.

Video Highlights of the Week

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.

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Pilina: Weekly Highlights Connecting Us on Campus

Bringing together highlights, stories, and connections from across our Middle School community this week.

• Middle School Choir: Our all Middle School Choir launched this week, led by Ms. DiBartolo. Our students will build skills, character and culture via singing in unison and harmony.

• 7th Grade Turtle Talk with Laura Jim: Our 7th grade advisor team welcomed Ms. Jim to speak and interact with our entire class to get them ready for their retreat next week at Kīholo Bay.

• Capstone Explorations: Our 8th graders explored the concept of “flow” and how they could apply it to examine their heads and hearts on the way to deciding on their capstone projects based on community needs.

Michael Cservenak
Middle School Principal

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