Fred Wawner was unanimously appointed by the Board of Trustees as the 13th Head of School for Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy in August of 2022. Fred began his tenure as the interim Head of School in June of 2021, and immediately demonstrated extraordinary leadership by skillfully guiding HPA through a uniquely demanding period.
Wawner joined the HPA ʻohana in 2009 as the Director of Student Life with a focus on the Residential Life program. Applying his background in academics, student life, residential life, and admissions, Wawner provided critical leadership in developing new programming in student wellness, residential programming, and character education. As a member of the school’s Strategic Planning team, he also helped develop the school’s core values and has been instrumental in the accreditation process for HPA.
Wawner moved to Hawaiʻi with 14 years of experience working at two other residential schools in Virginia, where he was born and raised and went on to earn a master’s degree in education with a focus on special education from Old Dominion University. He and his wife, Dina, have four children — son, William (Bear), who graduated with the HPA Class of 2022; and daughters, Ali ‘23, Fischer ‘25, and Rosey ‘27.
His goal is to continue moving forward with attention to HPA’s Strategic and Sustainability plans, as we grow and excel as an institution. Wawner’s immediate objectives are to ensure HPA experiences organizational stability and to establish a work plan which will provide transparency and the ability to evaluate our progress and direction along the way.
“I am deeply honored by the appointment and committed to achieving the high standards set forth by the Board and expected by the HPA ʻohana,” said Wawner. “I believe wholeheartedly in HPA’s vision of embracing the unique environment and culture of Hawaiʻi Island by designing student experiences of unparalleled depth and scope to empower responsible global citizens to create, lead and thrive in tomorrow’s world. My family and I are committed to Hawaiʻi and will work to broaden the school’s service to our island home and our special Waimea and school community.”
“To be named the Head of School at HPA is an amazing privilege,” Wawner said. “I care deeply about the school, its history, its traditions, the people here now, and the people who came before who made this place special. I will work hard to uphold and build on the many positive things HPA has meant to this community and the pathways it has opened for students and families.”
Administration
Hannah Candelario ’01
assistant head of school for advancement
Brian Pearson
assistant head of school for business operations
Mark Noetzel P ’18
assistant head of school for student life
Dora Kwong P ’35
Lower School principal
Glenn Chickering P ’29
Middle School principal
Ka’ai Spencer
Upper School principal
Tiare Police ’86; P ’13, ’15, ’21
director of admissions
Stephen Perry P ’16, ’18, ’20, ’22
director of athletics
Patricia Walker
director of auxiliary programs
Andrew Kelsey P’31
director of college counseling
Mileka Lincoln ’02
director of communications
William Wiecking P ‘22
Energy Lab director
Terrence Kalaniopio ’94; P ’21, ’23
director of facilities
Mollie Hustace P ’03, ’07
director of the Isaacs Art Center
J.R. De Groote P ’35
director of marketing
Hamilton Ford ’05
director of residential life
Liz Watson
director of student affairs
Gregory McKenna P ’33
director of sustainable operations
Marc Rice P ’88, ’91
director of technology services; director of Sea Turtle Research Program
Board of Trustees
Laurie T. Ainslie P ’12, ’15, Treasurer
community leader and philanthropist
Robert R. Budway ’76, Chair
president, Can Manufacturers Institute
Michael J. Chun
retired president and headmaster, Kamehameha Schools, Kapālama
Warren S. Doi, P ’22
mentor, Hawaiʻi Technology Development Corporation
Hans L’Orange ’73
retired VP, State Higher Education Executive Officers
Rob O’Donohue ’95
anaplan masterbuilder, Head of Business Mass Mutual
Samuel Pratt ’84, Secretary
president, Niu Pia Land Company Ltd.
William D. Pratt ’86
director/vice president, Niu Pia Land Company Ltd.
Michael S. Spalding ’66
president, Michael Spalding Realty
Max Unger ’04
former NFL offensive lineman, Super Bowl Champion
Bonnie Bogue Wedemeyer ’86, Co-Vice Chair
senior VP sales and residential marketing, The Howard Hughes Corporation, Ward Village