Meet the Team

Hannah Hind Candelario ’01, assistant head of school for advancement

Hannah joined the HPA Advancement team in 2015. As the assistant head of school for advancement, Hannah serves the alumni, parents, and friends of HPA as they consider ways to support the school. Prior to returning to Hawai‘i in February 2015, Hannah served as the director of development at Base Camp Studio in Bend, OR, where she managed grants, events, donor relations, and community outreach. Before her time in Oregon, she lived in Reno, NV, where she worked for six years at the Food Bank of Northern Nevada in advancement and oversaw the Child Nutrition Program initiatives. Having grown up in Waimea, Hannah is thrilled to be serving her home community, her alma mater, and the families she cares for. She is a current board member of Montessori Education Center of Hawai‘i and is a community supporter of Hui Aloha Kiholo, North Hawai’i Hospice, Kahilu Theatre, Waimea Country School, Parker School, and Waimea Elementary.

hcandelario@hpa.edu
(808) 881-4075

Zaheva Knowles, director of alumni and parent giving

Prior to joining HPA, Zaheva Stevens Knowles was the executive director at West Hawaiʻi Mediation Center. She earned her B.A. from Hampshire College and her J.D. from Northeastern University. Previously, Zaheva served as an associate in the litigation department at Cades Schutte LLP and was a staff attorney at the Disability Rights Legal Center at Loyola Law School. She also worked for several years as an associate in the litigation department at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP in New York City and was a law clerk for the Honorable Julian Abele Cook Jr. in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Having spent her childhood on the Big Island, Zaheva is passionate about helping to create and sustain a vibrant, thriving community for all Hawai‘i Island families. She lives with her husband David ’94 and their son, Wyatt ’28, in Waimea, Hawai‘i.

zknowles@hpa.edu
(808) 881-4040

Chelsey K. Dickson, advancement stewardship coordinator

Chelsey Dickson joined the Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy’s advancement office in 2019 to assist advancement programs, grant support, and donor stewardship. Born and raised in Waimea, Chelsey is deeply rooted in family and place. Prior to HPA, Chelsey worked in real estate, property management, and as a community engagement coordinator at the first Hawaiian-focused public charter school in Hawaii. She serves as a director for the Waimea Hawaiian Civic Club, is a crew member of the voyaging canoe Makali’i and is passionate about supporting the good work of many local non-profit organizations. Chelsey is the proud parent of Kawela ’22, Kamana’o, and Waika.

cdickson@hpa.edu
(808) 881-4076

Anela Park-Veres, administrative assistant for advancement

Anela joined HPA in 2024 as the administrative assistant for advancement, bringing with her a strong background in administrative support and office operations. Prior to this role, she worked in HPA’s Business Office, where she supported various financial and operational functions within the school. Born and raised on Hawai‘i Island, she also brings valuable experience from her previous positions with the State of Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) and at another private school. She values the relationships built through both her professional and personal life. She and her husband, Kyle, live in Waimea, proud parents of Kylena ’27 and Kauanoe ’29.

apark-vares@hpa.edu
(808) 881-4036

Kim Bennett Younger ’87, advancement strategic engagement coordinator

Kim joined the Advancement team in 2023. Prior to joining HPA, Kim worked as an Independent Educational Consultant in Northern California. Having grown up in Hilo and attended HPA in middle school, she is excited to be back home on Hawaiʻi Island and working at HPA. She holds a BA from UCLA, and lives in Waimea.

kyounger@hpa.edu
(808) 881-4058

Leah Lavin