May Day Mahalo!

Posts of aloha flood the airwaves for 2nd annual May Day Challenge

Between May 4 and May 7, a chorus of voices from across oceans and continents came together with a singular purpose: to share HPA aloha in support of financial aid. By Day 4 of HPA’s second annual May Day Challenge, the results were incredible—over 1,000 posts made by alumni, parents, students, and friends. 

Last year, the May Day Challenge contributed to an exponential growth in alumni giving to the school, with the percentage of alums providing financial support nearly tripling. This year, posts helped to leverage more than $40,000 for the HPA Fund from the HPA trustees, a generous anonymous donor, and from friends and followers who were able to contribute. Most important, these #HPApostsofAloha expressed the hope and solidarity of Ka Makani during this challenging time.

Throwbacks, selfies, campus pu‘u views, shoutouts from teachers who miss their students, and every manner of Ka Makani nostalgia filled social media feeds. Class agents, alumni volunteer representatives who serve to keep their classmates connected to the school, were a big part of the overall success of the campaign. “The outpouring of aloha from our alumni across all generations was wonderful and served as a powerful reminder of what Ka Makani can accomplish working together,” said Zaheva Knowles, director of alumni and parent giving. 

Gifts to the HPA Fund support essential needs at the school; it touches everything from faculty professional development to financial aid. 

Now more than ever, financial aid is critical for HPA students, who are feeling the economic impact of the global pandemic. HPA’s annual budget for financial aid, between $2 and $3 million, is able to meet only half the demonstrated need of families who apply for aid. With need only expected to grow, the school’s Wai‘aka Initiative for financial aid aims to raise $7.5 million over the next three years to help lessen the burden on families. “As a kid who went to HPA on financial aid,” said one supporter, “I know the pain of wondering about the next year. Thanks for making this opportunity available to us.” 

“We are extremely grateful to everyone who participated—both with their aloha, and with gifts to support our students and programs,” said Hannah Hind Candelario ’01, director of advancement. “Mahalo, mahalo, mahalo.”