Hawai'i Baptist Academy: Campaign for Transformation

FAITH. Innovation.

LEADERSHIP. The Campaign for Transformation

FAITH. INNOVATION. LEADERSHIP. Hawai‘i Baptist Academy is a Christian college preparatory school that equips students spiritually, intellectually, physically, socially, and emotionally so that they bring honor to God.

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FAITH. INNOVATION. LEADERSHIP.

Hawai‘i Baptist Academy is shaping the leaders of tomorrow, starting today. We are embarking on a journey to reimagine our learning environment, transforming the ways our students learn and inspiring them to identify how their passions intersect with God’s calling for their life.

Join us in building a foundational learning experience, grounded in faith and sparked by innovation, to raise up leaders who serve.

Together we can cultivate a compassionate and confident generation who will make a lasting impact in their communities and change the world for Christ.

HAWAI‘I BAPTIST ACADEMY www.hba.net/transformation

www.hba.net/transformation

FAITH. INNOVATION. LEADERSHIP.

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Every day we foster core values vital to our students’ success in the 21st century. We strive to engender these values:

Humility

Pausing to reflect, grow, and improve. Collaborating with others and having respect for all ideas.

Curiosity

Seeking opportunities to learn and explore. Applying critical thinking skills to find creative solutions to problems.

Believing that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, Hawai‘i Baptist Academy brings faith and learning

CONTENTS

together to join God in the

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Core Values

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Additional Campus Improvements

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Our Commitment

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Leighton Hara ’95: Servant Leadership

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The Need: A 21st Century Campus for 21st Century Learning

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Institute of Hope: Sharing the Love of Christ in Hawai’i and Beyond

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Innovation and Discovery Center: Where Curiosity Begins

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Trislyn Maeda ’23: A Faith Journey

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Striving for grace, peace, and truth. Asking for and offering forgiveness.

formation of people and the transformation of the world.

Commitment

Leading with integrity and communicating with not only words, but with the heart.

Tim Shimizu ’23: An Innovative Mindset FAITH. INNOVATION. LEADERSHIP.

Love

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FAITH. INNOVATION. LEADERSHIP.

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PLANTING SEEDS Throughout our history, Hawai‘i Baptist Academy has remained committed to our founding vision to bring faith and learning together.

Grounded in the Word of God, we are a thriving learning community cultivating excellence in every area of our students’ lives.

We provide a solid foundation for life by integrating faith, innovation, and leadership with cutting-edge curricula.

Our goal is for our students to graduate ready to bring the light of Christ to every place God leads.

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SINCE 1949

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The Need: A Design for 22nd Century Learning As the world rapidly changes, education must also change. Technology is pushing the bounds of human knowledge at a pace never-before-seen in history.

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he volume of human knowledge doubles every 12 hours and the jobs of tomorrow haven’t even been invented yet. In a society that continues to accelerate and evolve, it is more important than ever for our students to have a solid foundation grounded in the unchanging truth of God’s Word.

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Today’s learning environments require diverse spaces, flexibility, and experiential learning opportunities. Learning can no longer be bound by the four walls of a classroom.

Modern pedagogy incorporates hands-on experiences to allow students to discover new perspectives and innovative solutions as they interact

FAITH. INNOVATION. LEADERSHIP.

with the world around them.

These opportunities develop the grit and critical thinking skills necessary to maximize student potential, starting with our youngest learners at the elementary campus.

Our outdated facilities limit our elementary teachers’ ability to help students realize

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their capabilities. Built in the 1930s as a convent and boarding school for girls, Hawai‘i Baptist Academy acquired the property in 1987. While the school has done well to repurpose the property through renovations, it has been clear for several years that the facilities need to be modernized to support the needs of a 21st

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century learning environment.

We envision a transformation of the Richard Bento Elementary campus into a place where our students will build upon their God-given purpose and take the initial steps of fulfilling that potential to become the leaders of

tomorrow. The skills needed for students now where 21st century learning is taking place–Communication, Critical Thinking, Creativity, and Collaboration–will catapult us into the 22nd century where we believe Care, Connection, Culture, and Community will be paramount to the success of generations to come.

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Innovation and Discovery Center: Where Curiosity Begins

Tim Shimizu HBA, Class of 2023

Attending Princeton University A self-proclaimed “nature guy,” Tim finds inspiration in studying creation—from the tiniest molecules to the mechanisms that make the miracle of life possible— because he knows that creation ultimately points us to the Creator.

He credits HBA with instilling in him an innovative mindset and awakening a sense of curiosity that ignited his passion to learn. “From studying chemistry at HBA, it was so fascinating to see how there is an order to everything. I want to expand my horizons and learn how amazing God is through His creation and just be able to understand Him more.”

Designed to include an innovation station, collaboration lab, learning commons, and outdoor learning environments, this 7,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility will provide a collaborative environment where our students can engage in joyful learning that allows them to dream big and explore their God-given talents. The Center will be a free-flowing space, integrating the indoors and outdoors, where students learn to appreciate the interdependence of their natural and built environments.

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HBA has also guided Tim to view innovation through the lens of faith and he looks forward to applying the lessons learned in the classroom to make an impact. “At HBA, you’re taught to use mathematical, scientific and language tools, and I believe we were meant to utilize these tools for His honor and glory, to make the world a better place.”

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Faith, innovation, and leadership will be integrated into these spaces, creating a dynamic learning experience.

Innovation Station This experiential environment will encourage students to imagine and design solutions for realworld challenges. In this creative space, students could use 3D printers to design useful tools to assist the elderly or build classroom supplies for their peers. These projects offer students the freedom to take risks and embrace failures. By doing so, they develop resilience and discover that the possibilities are only limited by their imagination and determination.

Collab Lab The Collab Lab will be a vibrant hub where open, flexible spaces will encourage collaboration and community-building among students. Here, older students are empowered to mentor their younger peers, nurturing leadership qualities. The versatile setting will additionally accommodate club meetings, presentations, and conferences.

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Learning Commons Libraries are centers for learning that support and extend the work that goes on in the classroom. With a collection of more than 10,000 books, up-to-date technology, and flexible meeting spaces, the learning commons space provides an environment that encourages dialogue and the exchange of ideas. Multifunctional spaces facilitate studying, researching, and collaborating.

This provides needed flexibility for the variety of learning experiences, sparking student curiosity and engagement. These spaces will enhance opportunities for student-led discussions and presentations, which will foster leadership skills and challenge them to develop a deeper understanding of the world around them.

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By nestling the Learning Commons within the Innovation and Discovery Center, we remove physical barriers to learning.

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Amphitheater

Rooftop Deck

What better place to develop an understanding of our place in God’s creation than the outdoors? Outdoor learning spaces provide a sense of freedom and inspiration that complements classroom learning. By incorporating the natural beauty of the campus–the serenity of Nu‘uanu stream, cool mountain breezes that drift down from the Ko‘olau mountains, and giant monkeypod trees that have stood as silent

This open area for movement and brain breaks provides students with the freedom to stretch their legs and refresh their minds, promoting focus and productivity. It also serves as an ideal space for collaborative projects and group activities. The Rooftop Deck is equipped with tables, perfect for experimenting and writing, allowing students to engage in interactive learning and experiment-based education.

guardians over the campus for over 100 years– the amphitheater will offer a sense of place where students can connect with each other and appreciate the beauty of God’s creation.

This space will also be used for worship and to build community. From family nights to theater performances, these activities help students develop healthy relationships with God and those around them.

A sustainable campus will empower students to actively promote a resilient future, both within and beyond the classroom.

The Plaza The learning experience of the Innovation Station, Collab Lab and Learning Commons extends outside into The Plaza. Students are free to explore their physical environment where free play and socialization is encouraged. Worm bins incorporated into the garden provide hands-on environmental and composting learning opportunities.

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The amphitheater will foster spiritual growth, community building, and a deep appreciation for God’s creation.

These learning areas include LEED-certified features like rain gardens to gather stormwater and a green rooftop to enhance energy efficiency. Our commitment to sustainability is a reflection of our deep-rooted values, as we strive to be faithful stewards of the home God has given us.

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The renovated entryway serves as a warm welcome, ensuring the safety and comfort of our students and community, and exemplifying the essence of our school spirit.

Lower Courts Complementary to the learning spaces are places that bring students, staff, and community together. The Lower Courts will provide students with a safe and open area for recess and extracurricular activities. Three basketball courts and a lower blacktop area can be used for supplemental parking, assemblies, and a venue for guest speakers and public addresses.

The Aviary

Campus Entryway Our campus entry is more than a drop-off or pick-up area. The entry to our school represents the beginning and ending of each student’s school day. Renovating the campus entryway will make it an even more inviting space for all who use it. As our students, families, and community step foot onto our campus, they will be welcomed by the open

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arms of the monkeypod trees that line the driveway. The addition of a covered waiting area protects our students from inclement weather while the wider driveway improves safety for bus pick-ups and drop-offs, and also lets us be good neighbors by minimizing traffic in surrounding streets.

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Active free play and exercise are essential not only for physical fitness but also for helping children to focus during classroom activities. The existing playcourt is uncovered and limits outdoor activities during the rain showers that frequent our Nu‘uanu campus. A covered playcourt also becomes a multi-purpose gathering area that can be used not only for athletics, but student assemblies, events, and our After School Enrichment Program.

It becomes yet another shared gathering place for our school community.

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Institute of Hope: Sharing the Love of Christ in Hawai‘i and Beyond At Hawai‘i Baptist Academy, we have the privilege of shepherding future generations to become leaders of our island community. The Institute of Hope endowment will enable us to extend our reach beyond the campus and support our students, parents, staff, and faculty in living our school motto, “Christ for Every Nation.”

Leighton Hara HBA, Class of 1995

Managing Partner, Ota & Hara, LLLC

God has called us to “go and make disciples of all nations,” and the Institute of Hope will integrate that calling through faith, innovation, and leadership. By building student disciples strong in their faith, equipping them with an innovative mindset, developing their God-given gifts and talents, HBA can raise up a future generation of leaders who will make an impact in Hawai‘i and our world.

As a Son of HBA, Leighton Hara has been a part of the HBA ‘ohana since he was a kindergartner. “I think what HBA instilled in me early on was God’s moral compass,” he says. That compass continues to guide him in his profession as managing partner of his law firm, Ota & Hara, LLLC. Seeds planted during his time at HBA led him to become the attorney he is today. AP English courses taught him about elements of argument and composition. Through theater and speech, he learned to speak confidently in front of a large audience, a necessary skill in the courtroom.

But it was HBA’s strong emphasis in raising leaders that ultimately shaped Leighton’s future. Recognizing that there are lessons to be learned, even in failure, taught him to take risks and succeed. “The hardest thing to learn is how to dust yourself off after you fail,” he says. “HBA teaches you to be respectful and to continue to persevere.”

Leighton’s journey has come full circle as he now mentors HBA alumni law clerks new to the profession, just as he was many years ago.

His empathy, stewardship, and commitment to the personal growth of others epitomizes the traits of a servant leader.

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The Institute of Hope will: • Develop Christian partnerships with businesses, organizations, and educational institutions to offer current students and HBA graduates a variety of internships, seminary college partnerships, and gap-year programs.

These programs will provide career development pathways for our students as they navigate the challenges and opportunities of life outside of HBA. • Encourage student exploration; through leadership opportunities,

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students will be mentored in developing a social entrepreneurship mindset, which empowers them to create positive change in the Hawaiian Islands and beyond.

• Provide parent and educator outreach opportunities both internally and externally. By expanding our Parent Cafe offerings, we build relationships with families as they navigate our fastchanging world. HBA will also lead a professional development program to

offer workshops for other Christian educators to learn innovative ways to incorporate faith and academic excellence into their curriculum.

The Institute of Hope is foundational to HBA’s mission. It will help prepare our students, parents, and the greater community to be beacons of Christ’s light in the world.

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Trislyn Maeda HBA, Class of 2023

Attending Pacific Lutheran University Trislyn came to HBA as a high school freshman who did not consider herself a Christian. “I was always surrounded by good people and good values, but prior to high school, I never thought about religion and Christianity the way HBA had challenged me to do,” she says. To Trislyn, being a Christian meant having everything figured out, and her doubts about God made her feel unworthy to follow Christ.

It was during her junior year that Trislyn had a breakthrough. After her basketball team won the State Championship that year, Trislyn felt empty while her teammates celebrated. She prayed for the first time that night, pouring out her questions and fears at the feet of Jesus. It was in that quiet conversation with God that Trislyn found a moment of clarity: that no achievement can bring fulfillment without having Christ in her life. “I realized that I couldn’t do things on my own anymore; that I needed to be broken down to realize what I needed, and what I needed was Him.” Trislyn now embraces her direction with a quiet contentment. She understands that her faith journey is ongoing, and that HBA has given her the strength to find her own path. As she continues to navigate life’s challenges, Trislyn walks forward with intention, finding solace and joy in her evolving relationship with God. Her time at HBA has taught her that faith isn’t merely a set of rituals or rules to follow, but rather a deep and intimate relationship with an unconditionally loving God.

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BE PART OF OUR GOD-SIZED VISION • Will you pray with us?

• Will you share this with your friends and family?

• Will you make a life-changing gift that will empower our students to change the world?

They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. - Isaiah 40:31

Hawai‘i Baptist Academy 420 Wyllie Street Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96817 Phone: (808) 533-7094 www.hba.net