Ka Makani Coming Together

ʻOhana Days provides unforgettable experiences for HPA students, parents

Each October, our Upper School community shares in ʻOhana Days — which features classroom visits, parent-teacher conferences, special presentations, student performances, athletic events, many opportunities to engage with one another. 

These are memorable days of connection, learning, and celebration, in which our Upper Campus fills with excitement and joy as families, students, faculty, and staff gather to create lasting memories.

Experience HPA! kicked off the slate of events, giving families the opportunity to embark on a journey through their children’s daily academic lives with visits to each of their classes and a chance to witness our dedicated faculty in action. Families raved about the dynamic energy each teacher brings to their courses and the value of getting to experience a day-in-the-life of their child. Everything from photography to physics was a hit.

“I loved being there, sitting at the desk and then taking a mini-class for 15 minutes,” said Yvonne Everett, parent of Annika Everett ’24. “It was really, really exciting for me. I was able to be in Annika’s shoes to kind of see what she goes through every day and everything that goes on in her everyday schedule.”

 

 

For some parents of residential students, ʻOhana Days offered their first chance to see campus up close and experience HPA.

“It’s beautiful! I can see why he likes to go to school here,” said Dave Meaney, who was visiting his son, Case Meaney ’26. “I felt like it was a very open and collaborative classroom environment. As far as the campus, we’re from Wyoming and it has a similar feel in some respects. We’re up in the mountains in Wyoming. We’re a little bit up on the mountain here. So it did have a similar vibe to it. Just seems like a great place to go to school.”

It was also nice for students to see a familiar face after spending some time away from home.

“It was great to see my dad again. I haven’t seen him in a few months,” Case Meaney said. “I’m glad he gets to experience what it’s like for me day-to-day.”

It was important for families to step outside of the classroom as well, and experience the happy balance that HPA’s diverse co-curriculars and place-based activities have to offer. Families got to enjoy student musical performances and a special screening of Hometown Legends, a documentary made by HPA parent Kolby Moser that highlights several respected kūpuna from Hawaiʻi Island, who are revered as masters of their respective Hawaiian crafts including poʻe ulana (weavers), paniolo (cowboys), hoe waʻa (paddlers), lawaiʻa (fishermen), and pahu (drum) carvers. 

The aloha spirit is very evident. You really feel that when you’re here, and it’s an amazing place. I’ve even asked Principal Kaʻai Spencer if there’s a space for me. That’s how much I like it.”

Sherwood DeJoie Pʻ24

Some parents had such a good time, they didn’t want to leave.

“The aloha spirit is very evident,” said Sherwood DeJoie, who was tagging along with daughter Via DeJoie ʻ24. “You really feel that when you’re here, and it’s an amazing place. I’ve even asked Principal Kaʻai Spencer if there’s a space for me. That’s how much I like it.”

Via DeJoie is a senior, but it’s her first year at HPA. For the Dejoies, seeing their daughter flourishing first-hand on campus was a special experience. 

“We’re actually living vicariously through her. Seeing her here and seeing her thrive,” Sherwood DeJoie said. “Knowing what she’s been through these past two or three years — especially with COVID — it’s just emotional for us to watch her thrive here. And so we get to kind of live it through her. It’s amazing.”

ʻOhana Days was also an opportunity to showcase the Ka Makani spirit through our athletic events. Both our volleyball and football teams notched convincing victories in their ʻOhana Days games, while our cross country runners gave it their all during an all-school meet on the challenging Upper Campus course. 

ʻOhana Days is designed to provide a meaningful opportunity for families to immerse themselves in the HPA experience alongside their children. The event captures the spirit of what HPA has to offer each and every individual who is a member of this ʻohana — students, families, faculty, staff, and administration. ʻOhana Days highlights the power of unity and the importance of coming together as one community. 

“It is this energy, our community energy, that underlines and facilitates our young people to strive with a spirit of aloha and have the space to try fearlessly. Our collective love and the way we show up for their education and student life is vital to the HPA mission,” HPA Head of School Fred Wawner said. “We provide exceptional learning opportunities in a diverse community honoring the traditions of Hawaiʻi… and, we do this well because of you, our school ʻohana. The power of community is tangible and real on both of our campuses every day.”

We are grateful for the support and enthusiasm of our families, faculty, and students in making ‘Ohana Days 2023 an unforgettable experience. We look forward to continuing this tradition of celebration and connection in the years to come!