HAWAI‘I PREPARATORY ACADEMY MAGAZINE : SPRING | SUMMER 2025
SELF-SUSTAINING IN NEPAL: MAKI MURAKAMI (GURUNG) ’04
MAKANI FOREVER: STUDENTS REFLECT ON HPA AT 75
CRANK ’03 EXPANDING COLLEGE HORIZONS
KA
MIKAELA
With the next 75 years in mind, today’s students record their insights for HPA history
’94
Alumni News n Class Notes n Giving Back
• Patrick O’Leary, faculty and principal photographer
• Ed Campbell ’71
• Mikaela Crank ’03
Ma Ke Kula is produced twice per year by the HPA advancement office. Principal photographers: Patrick O’Leary and Mellon Monello. Other credits as noted.
Cover photo: Khloe Nakagawa ’28 competes in the hula competition at this year’s HPA Olympics for the freshman class.
FRED WAWNER / HEAD OF SCHOOL
Our Future, Our Foundation
As I write this, we just finished celebrating our seniors at Commencement and welcoming home alumni at Reunion Weekend. Here at the end of our big anniversary year, it felt especially right to be with Ka Makani of many ages, from so many different parts of the world, whose myriad stories continue to surprise and uplift me.
Now the campus is quiet, but another school year is already on the horizon. These days, the trajectory of HPA through time feels especially alive and present with me, perhaps inspired by our 75th anniversary year. Whether we were roaring our welcome and gratitude to Zeke Knight in Castle Gymnasium (see page 9), or chanting with the heroes of Lā Mauloa during the Lower School May Day program, I felt our entire community, past and present, giving energy and meaning to our future.
We have big plans ahead. We continue to enrich and evolve our programs, paying special attention to the areas that make HPA distinctive for our students. These include K-12 capstone classes, place-based learning that honors the traditions of Hawai‘i, our diverse community of students shaped by both island and international perspectives, and much more.
Fundamental to and woven through all these experiences is our commitment to become the premier educational community dedicated to living and learning sustainably
We have just completed a new Campus Master Plan, in partnership with the G70 group based in Honolulu. We will share more details throughout the coming school year.
It is already clear, however, that our master plan grows directly from the beauty, ingenuity, and caring of our campus community and our larger Hawai‘i Island community over the past 75 years. This is a precious legacy we must protect and uphold. If you want to hear directly from today’s students about how they treasure the HPA continuum, check out photos and quotes in our feature story (page 14).
Meanwhile, we imagine and plan for the future. We must ensure our children are equipped to create and lead sustainable, ethical, problem-solving communities in all spheres of life — work and home, private and public, digital and analog. We’ve mapped the foundation in our Campus Master Plan.
HPA will need your enthusiasm, partnership, and investment to turn vision into reality. With the fabulous memories of our 75th Anniversary still playing in my head, I’m excited for what we will accomplish together. Today and forever, HPA thrives through our adventurous spirit, hard work, and collaboration.
HPA Board of Trustees 2024-25
Laurie T. Ainslie P’12, P’15
Robert R. Budway ’76, chair
Michael J. Chun
Warren Doi P’22
Michael Hoover P’27, P’30
Hans P. L'Orange III '73
Samuel Pratt ’84
William D. Pratt ’86
Michael S. Spalding ’66
Maxwell Unger ’04
Bonnie Bogue Wedemeyer ’86, vice chair
Taffi U‘ilei Wise P’12, P’15, P’17
Moments after the 2025 commencement ceremony, a newly minted graduate makes her way through a joyful tunnel of faculty and staff — to loved ones waiting to adorn her with lei.
Photo by Conor Cavens ’26
75 Years and Counting!
HPA CONCLUDES A YEAR OF GLOBAL CELEBRATION
Mahalo for a year filled with gratitude, pride, friendship, and fun! From Seoul to Waimea to Washington, D.C., Ka Makani gathered to celebrate the past, present, and future of our one-of-a-kind community.
“This year has been full of inspiring energy,” says Hannah Hind Candelario ’01, assistant head of school for advancement. “We are honored to have shared memories with so many Ka Makani, through emails, reunions, campus activities, and alumni events far and wide. Again and again, it’s brought home to me the truth that we really are bound together — through time, geography, and cultures. The kindness and principles of HPA sustain us.”
As this anniversary year draws to a close, HPA carries Ka Makani strength and purpose into its future. Exciting work lies ahead — the Campus Master Plan, environmental and curricular priorities of Vision 2049, and much more. On the horizon, our 100th anniversary waits with enormous possibility. We will continue to work together toward the fullest promise of HPA. •
O‘ahu
Taipei
New York
ANNIVERSARY HIGHLIGHTS FROM REUNION 2025
RING IN THE BELLS
Director of Facilities TJ Kalaniopio ’94; P’21, ’23, ’30 and Head of School Fred Wawner gratefully rang in the Davies Chapel bells after their long sojourn to be refurbished at the original manufacturer, the Verdin Company in Cincinnati, OH.
HPA PREMIERES WORK BY PAUL CSIGE ’00
Capriccio No. 1 in E Major, “Kamuela Collage,” featured HPA students, faculty, and musicians from the Kamuela Symphony and Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra directed by Upper School Arts Chair Mario Flores. The piece sprang from a collaboration between Csige, Flores, and students from HPA’s Songwriting & Lyricism course, and it interweaves themes from Hole Waimea, Kilakila Nā Roughrider (a paniolo classic), and Hawai‘i Aloha by Lorenzo Lyons.
Washington, D.C.
Top Awards for Young Scientists
At the 2025 West Hawai‘i Science and Engineering Fair, 11 students showcased research on coral behavior, hawksbill turtle migration, invasive species in Maine’s freshwater lakes, the microbiome of A. taxiformis (a red algae), and more. The group took away multiple first, second, third, and fourth prizes, plus one champion award! Congratulations to Hélène Baril ’25, Isla Bradford ’25, Charlotte Kassis ’25, Hamilton Lee ’25, Jeannik (Nikki) Littlefield ’26, Henry Maling ’26, Nicholas Pigotti ’25, Andrew Sebastian ’25, Johna Sejati ’25, Johnathan-Kimo Uyehara ’25, and Fischer Wawner ’25. •
Mauloa visits Lower School
The Lower School celebrated a day of cultural connection in April with a visit from Mauloa, Hawai‘i’s first traditionallycrafted voyaging canoe. Led by Kumu Kūwalu and community practitioners, this immersive learning day allowed students to meet the crew and begin to understand the ancient protocols that brought Mauloa to life. Through Mauloa’s story, the whole Lower School community reflected on the principles of Mālama Kaiāulu and the powerful legacy of voyaging in our community.
Iration in the 808
Micah Pueschel ’00 and Micah Brown headline at the Senior Speakers Series
Since 2008, the alternative/reggae band Iration has been touring nationally, performing at major festivals such as Lollapalooza and racking up over one billion streams and numerous Billboard chart successes. The group has established itself as one of the most beloved reggae-rock bands to emerge from the Southern California scene.
Four out of the six Iration band members hail from HPA: Micah Pueschel ʻ00 (guitar/lead vocals), Joseph Dickens ʻ01 (drums), Cayson Peterson ʻ05 (keyboard/synth) and Adam Taylor ʻ99 (bass). Micah Brown (guitar/vocals) and Drake Peterson (trumpet/keys) complete the awesome mix.
In January, Pueschel and Brown were performing in Kona and offered to light up HPA’s second Senior Speakers Series of the year. These two performers (unsurprisingly) brought down the house, providing the perfect finale for the class of 2025 reflections given by Maile Imonen and Ione Chicoine. •
BIG SCREEN BONANZA
In April, the Hawai‘i International Film Festival awarded top honors to directors Kili Correa ’29 and Sofie Tribuiano ’29 for their film
“Ho‘opili ‘Ana Ma o Ke Kapa” (“Connecting through Kapa”). Their two-minute piece follows a young student reconnecting with her Hawaiian heritage through the traditional art of kapa.
Each year, the Best ‘Ōpio Junior Film Award celebrates an exceptional film created by middle school students or younger.
For more than a decade, Maki Murakami (Gurung) ’04 has farmed his ancestral lands in a remote region of Nepal. Situated in the foothills of the Himalayas, Gurung’s land is among the most difficult in the world to cultivate, with steep terrain, drought, and a monsoon season that causes landslides and erosion. But Gurung isn’t deterred, and over the past four years, he has finally managed to grow enough food to become selfsufficient. His farm hosts visitors and holds workshops throughout the year.
Self-sufficient in Nepal
When and how did you decide to farm?
I came back to Nepal in 2008 and started a chowmein shop in Kathmandu. I wondered if I made my own noodles, would I make more money, since I had been buying the noodles from another shop. As I started making my own noodles, I thought about making my own wheat. That’s how the idea for farming started.
Where did you go from Kathmandu?
I moved to my grandparents’ village in the Gorkha district of Nepal. The village had just got electricity and roads ten years before I moved there. People living there were still living the way they did for hundreds of years — completely isolated from civilization. I had to relearn life there, because there was no store where I could buy anything. (Actually there was a man who sold salt.) I had to learn how to make my own food and shelter. With the help from the village people, I built a house with stone and clay. All the wood used to make doors and windows were trees cut down and processed all by hand.
Photos courtesy of Maki Murakami (Gurung)
How did you learn to farm?
I grew up on a farm near Kathmandu. My parents were practicing what was permaculture at the time, but it was not called permaculture yet. So, farming has never been a new thing for me. After a couple of years of living here I inherited more land from my grandfather. And as I learned more, I slowly expanded. Actually I am expanding the farm this year too, to grow rice. I have also learned to slaughter animals. I get together with the villagers almost once a month to slaughter a buffalo, and all the meat is distributed equally.
What do you grow?
I have learned to farm mostly perennial crops in order to save labor. I also grow a lot of amaranth — a plant that is very resilient to drought and very nourishing. The young leaves of amaranth can be eaten as a vegetable, and the seeds can also be used to make tiny popcorn. I mostly eat amaranth, sorghum, and all kinds of fruit from my orchard. Right now is mulberry, peach and plum season. Next will be apples and nectarines. I also grow a lot of peas and lentils. For cooking oil, I grow niger seeds and take them to the oil press in a town three hours from here. I also grow about two acres of black cardamom, which I sell to earn money for times when I go to the city for fun.
How did you make your way to HPA from Nepal 20 years ago?
My father and mother met in an alternative agricultural school in Japan. My mother is Japanese and my father is Gurung. They had a large farm near Kathmandu, but they separated when I was four, thus ending the farm. A year before I joined HPA, my father was diagnosed with late stage cancer. … Life started becoming very complicated, and my mother made the decision to send me to America. She found HPA on the last page of a Japanese book about high schools in America where there are a lot of international students. So I finished the last semester of middle school in Nepal, took the SSATs, and started high school at HPA.
What do you remember about your time at HPA?
My most intense memory of HPA was in the crosscountry team. Karl Honma was the coach, and he taught me so many things about life that would otherwise not be taught in school. I still remember the quote by Emil Zátopek that he taught us: “the will to succeed is nothing without the will to prepare.” I am deeply grateful for my time at HPA. •
Lasting Inspiration
Zeke Knight returns on HPA’s 75th anniversary to celebrate the enduring power of the HPA Olympics
Nearly 50 years ago, former HPA faculty member Gordon “Zeke” Knight and his psychology students had a bright idea: the HPA Olympics. What started as a project to boost school spirit and bring students together across grade levels had staying power — and has grown into one of the most beloved and enduring traditions at the Upper School. Throughout this year’s event, students, faculty, and staff honored Knight for his foresight and his belief in the creative abilities of Ka Makani to make a difference for each other. “The opening ceremonies … brought tears to my eyes,” said Knight, “because each individual has to give into that feeling of coming together. … That teaches you to reach out to each other with joy and peace.”
Photo above: Zeke Knight meets his namesake, Zeke Chong ’13, son of Lower School teacher Teri Chong ’82 and Quintin Chong ’80.
Read more and watch video with Zeke Knight on the HPA website.
Change a Child’s Future
HPA begins a generous financial aid partnership with The Children’s Education Initiative (TCEI)
Thanks to a new gift from The Children’s Education Initiative (TCEI), a multiyear financial aid grant will fund HPA tuition and wraparound support for two incoming kindergarteners, beginning with the 2025-26 school year, through 8th grade. TCEI is a San Diego-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of education for socioeconomically disadvantaged children. “We are incredibly excited about this new partnership and the difference it’s going to make for our HPA community and for families who want to come to HPA,” says Head of School Fred Wawner.
The grant will cover the full cost of attending HPA: tuition, fees, lunches, after school care and additional support. Over time, this support will dramatically expand opportunities, making HPA more accessible and building new systems and practices to improve socioeconomic diversity within HPA’s school community.
“This is a truly visionary gift that we hope will inspire continued momentum for financial aid support,” Wawner said. For the 2024-25 school year, HPA provided approximately $4 million in financial aid to 45% of the student body, with an average demonstrated need of 80% for recipient students. And while HPA is able to offer some additional support for students in grades 9 through 12, the new support from TCEI marks the first tuition assistance opportunity designated for HPA’s youngest students.
“This partnership with TCEI will enable us to reach new families who may have never considered an independent school education,” says Director of Admission Tiare Judd Police ’86.
“ This is a truly visionary g ift that we hope will inspire continued momentum for fi nancial aid support.”
– Head of School Fred Wawner
Lower School Principal Dora Kwong is eager to begin building the new program. “This incredible grant will open new opportunities for young
students to experience the joy and curiosity that our Village Campus teachers cultivate for our students every day,” she says. “We are so grateful to TCEI for this remarkable gift.”
Through this transformative partnership, HPA and TCEI are paving the way for meaningful change, not only by providing essential financial assistance but by fostering a culture of inclusion and diversity that enriches the entire school community. This multi-year commitment is a crucial step in expanding access to high-quality education for underrepresented students, enhancing both HPA’s mission and the lives of the students and families who join HPA’s ‘ohana. •
Helen Farrar: HPA’s first landscaper
It’s a bit hard to picture now, with mature trees quieting the wind and offering shady respite, but when HPA’s Upper Campus first moved to its current location, it was little more than a bare and blustery hillside. Into this blank canvas walked an unsung hero: Mrs. Helen Farrar.
Born in Honolulu in the early 1890s to the family who founded The Bank of Hawai‘i, Helen majored in science, held one of the very first driver’s licenses ever issued to a woman on Oʻahu, and was fully enamored with astronomy and horticulture.
As a tribute to her husband, Howard, Helen took on the incredible task of shaping and softening all
54 acres of HPA’s new campus, planting evergreen Norfolk pines (Araucaria heterophylla) to frame the campus skyline, graceful pepper trees (Schinus molle) for movement and shade, and native hāpuʻu tree ferns (Cibotium spp.) tucked into sheltered corners. Her work was and is a gift to the school — a living legacy.
“Mrs. Helen Farrar has given of herself effort and time that few persons realize,” the 1961 Ka Makani yearbook noted. “We are indeed very indebted to Mrs. Farrar for her innumerable hours of hard and patient work.” •
SURREAL GEOGRAPHIES
In the hands of Margo Ray ’94, landscapes delight and decay
“We are not without our problems and complexities,” Margo Ray ’94 has said about Hawai‘i’s so-called paradise, and perhaps her distinctive frame of view can be applied to humanity as well. “The tension and coexistence between beauty, sadness, loss and joy are what I try to reflect in my artwork.”
Ray earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Hawai‘i, Hilo, followed by a master’s of fine arts in print media from Concordia University in Montreal. Her interdisciplinary practice includes collage, printmaking, and installation. Often depicted in bright, electric palettes, her landscapes are simultaneously mythic and mischievous, exploring the ideas of natural and supernatural, invasiveness and belonging, and the darker side of human impact on the land. Her eclectic iconography includes water tanks, rocket ships, lanterns, forests, cowboys, and flying fish.
The Hawai’i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts has purchased six of Ray’s works for their public collection. She has exhibited at numerous venues including The Honolulu Museum of Art at First Hawaiian Center, the Hawai‘i State Art Museum, the O‘ahu Country Club, and galleries in Charlottesville, VA, Montréal, QC, and Lancaster, CA. She and her husband, Scott Yoell, are co-owners of Island Eclectic, an art handling business, and live in Waimea with their two children. •
Photos courtesy of Anna Pacheco
Crossings, Wailoa River, 48” x 36”, mixed media
Ka Makani Being
In a landmark anniversary survey, HPA students reflect on community, beautiful places, and preserving the good vibes for another 75 years
In 1980, Kati Loke Rose selected and arranged more than 250 words from the Hawaiian Dictionary by Samuel Elbert and Mary Kawena Pukui to create a reference guide devoted to wind. The manuscript, Ka Makani, includes: “Holo-poʻopoʻo: Wind famous at Waipiʻo, Hawaiʻi. Lit. running in the hollows.” And “ʻowālaala, ʻoālala, ʻowalala: To rise, as the wind; to occur, as a thought.” Her glossary is full of the poetry of a language striving to describe something as ephemeral as wind. Its existence is a testament to generations of careful study … to the act of paying attention to and bestowing names upon the subtleties of the natural world.
At HPA, ka makani is full of meaning, too. Ka makani is the most powerful elemental force at play in the landscape that surrounds us; ka makani is our rallying cry; ka makani is the symbol that identifies us and unites us. In an effort to pay closer attention to our Ka Makani here with us now, to try to make, if not a glossary, at least a record of their thoughts and reflections on the HPA experience, we asked our current students: “What does being Ka Makani mean to you?” We asked what they look forward to at school and what they hope will be preserved for the next 75 years. Some of their responses to these and other questions are collected here. Their answers reflect the warmth and goodwill that are characteristic of HPA Ka Makani throughout the generations.
Today’s HPA students – members of Gen Z and Gen Alpha – move through a world that is faster and more interconnected than ever. They are learning to navigate in a new era, one in which the ties that bind us to one another, our machines, and the natural world are increasingly intertwined. Often boxed in as “digital natives” whose fluency in
technology is a given, today’s HPA students are also immersed in a unique community of land, spirit, and people (kaiāulu ). Their responses to our survey questions demonstrated a clear appreciation for the loving community that surrounds them. “Being Ka Makani to me, is honestly just a blessing, because it shows all of the hard work my parents go through for me to be here,” one junior replied. “I love, I LOVE being here. I wouldn't trade it for anything else.”
Over and over again, their responses to our 75th anniversary survey reflect their deep love for this place and their hopes for what HPA will preserve for the next 75 years. They care about the traditions that make this school unique, the verdant pu‘u that define the landscape, and the teachers and coaches who have made a difference in their lives. In the words of one senior: “I think, you know, buildings come and go, people come and go, but I think the energy will stay the same. I hope it stays the same in terms of community and the vibes that we have here. I think that'll be important.”
Listening to the hopes and observations of our Ka Makani here on campus confirms what many of us feel about our own HPA experiences ... that this school in this place is uniquely positioned to inspire young people, not only because of its remarkable natural surroundings but also through an education that cultivates deep connections and a sense of shared empowerment. The school’s mālama kaiāulu model encourages students to engage with their community in meaningful ways, whether restoring native forests, studying marine ecosystems, or learning the ancient mele and oli dedicated to ka makani and kīpuʻupuʻu.
Today, as always, our Ka Makani are in motion. Like the wind that moves across South Kohala’s ridgelines, gathering breath from the Pacific before tumbling down Waimea’s open plain, they, too, gather strength from peaceful waters. They, too, shape the path ahead. As they grow into the next generation of Ka Makani, they will join all of us in carrying HPA forward. Their words stand as a glossary of keen attention, loving bonds, and gratitude. •
What is your favorite spot on campus?
n The football field, the bleachers, the tree line. I love that home at mosphere. Sometimes I just go watch the sunset from those bleachers. Walk the track. Even if it’s not football season.
n I like to walk up the road next to the garden.
n The Energy Lab.
n The Taj — I used to go there all the t ime when I was a little kid.
n I love the grassy hills, just hanging out after lunch with my friends, especially when it's sunny.
n I love how the art center is designed. I can express my painting, my creative side, so easily there.
n The Chapel not only holds us in very peaceful times, it also is a place for rejoicing and community.
What
is one thing HPA students can’t live without?
n I don’t think I could live without the support of my teachers, who help me every step of the way … to grow as a learner and a person.
n Space for creativity, space for peace.
n A sense of connection — asking questions, learning together, bonding about shared interests.
n Our athletic program.
n Each other!
What is one thing you always look forward to at school?
n Getting outside for explorations.
n Seeing my friends because they are the best in the world.
n How every day is a new adventure.
n Making new connections. I’ve made friends with people I never knew I needed.
What do you hope will be preserved at HPA for the next 75 years?
n HPA gives kids the opportunity to be kids, to grow at their own pace. I hope they will continue to do that for generations to come.
n Olympics, International Day — the older t raditions that make this place unique.
n The energy, in terms of community, international, and just the fun vibes that we have.
n The interaction among students. People get along across ages and grades and cultures and backgrounds.
What part of your HPA experience do you think will still be meaningful to you 10 or 20 years from now?
n Experiences here in Hawai‘i that I can’t get anywhere else in the world.
n Definitely all the international students I have met!
n My advisory group, especially my advisor.
n The way HPA uses outdoor classes.
What is something interesting or useful that you’ve learned at HPA?
n To be more confident in myself.
n How our Village Campus is filled with kind and welcoming people.
n The value of kindness and how much it can affect a person.
n I have learned to communicate and work with people from all over the world.
n How to manage my study time so that I can still do other things that I enjoy.
n To appreciate how privileged I am.
What does being Ka Makani mean to you?
n It means using integrity always.
n To stay strong and grounded no matter what kinds of things come your way.
n It means to be strong. The wind is powerful.
n To be all I can be, for myself and others.
n Being Ka Makani means working hard and being proud of what I've accomplished.
n To be connected and more powerful together.
n Being open-minded and supportive.
n Representing respect, humility, perseverance, and hard work.
n Belonging to something, a loving community.
n Being proud of our diversity and all our knowledge.
n Being part of a community that supports and uplifts each other.
n Being part of a big school family.
n Unity and creativity.
n Really investing yourself in this community, whether in sports or arts or performances.
n Being super welcoming, especially to international students and new students.
n Being kind, thoughtful, and having a great sense of culture.
Is there anything else you’d like to record for future Ka Makani?
n Be very grateful every day.
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTICIPANTS!
As of our publication date, these Ka Makani — and others who chose to remain anonymous — generously shared their time and thoughts for HPA posterity. These students represent Waimea and Buenos Aires, Denver and Prague, and many other locations across Hawai‘i and the world. Happy 75th Anniversary to us all!
André Amaral ’27
Asher Andersen ’27
Cisco Barros ’27
Leia Benioff ’27
Meleana Butler ’28
Conor Cavens ’26
Felipe Cevasco ’26
Ione Chicoine ’25
Grace Dalton ’29
Eliot Di Bartolo ’30
Vander Eberhard ’27
Athena Fonoimoana ’26
Kirra Geesey ’26
Kenzi Gustavson ’30
Brooke Hamilton ’27
Livie Hart ’28
Declan Heaps Estrin ’28
Lily Hodges ’25
Adam Lai-Hoshino ’25
Christian Hunt ’26
Serah Jones ’25
Alexandra Jorgensen ’25
Makua Kalua’u ’28
Siena King ’28
Kau’i Kroesch ’29
Jasmine Larson ’27
Ashbee Leslie ’28
Reece Lustik ’28
Iliana Mandaloniz ’28
Analani Mastrascusa ’29
Savannah Matsui ’27
Danny Mayer ’27
Scotty McClung ’30
Taylor McClung ’28
Robert McIntosh ’27
Zaylee Moses ’28
Blake Nakagawa ’30
Kai Nathaniel ’27
Julián Neumeyer ’26
Kylena Park-Vares ’27
Jaren Peltier ’26
Leo Pipan ’36
Mahealani Puckett ’25
Chase Pugh ’28
Kela Quayle ’27
Tulsi Quayle ’30
Umi Radcliffe Suzuki ’28
Anaken Ramirez ’27
Andrew Sebastian ’25
Makana Strahle Lewitsky ’28
Xinhang Sui ’27
Zane Van Natta ’25
Fischer Wawner ’25
Karolína Weisser ’27
Evan White ’31
Landon Wilson ’27
Liam Wilson ’29
KA MAKANI FLAG FOOTBALL
TEAM SETS THE TONE IN INAUGURAL SEASON
GAME CHANGERS
Raised on the sidelines alongside her footballcoach father, Lauren Prutow McKenna P’33, ’36 developed a deep love for the game from an early age. The Friday night lights, the energy of the huddle, and the rhythm of practices left a lasting impression — shaping her competitive drive and passion for sport.
A standout collegiate athlete in lacrosse and swimming, Prutow McKenna carried those early lessons of discipline, teamwork, and resilience into every arena she entered. So when she learned that HPA would be launching girls flag football as a varsity sport, she jumped at the opportunity to lead the program, bringing her full-circle back to the game that first inspired her.
“I took the interview very seriously,” says Prutow McKenna, who is also the Village Campus Garden Coordinator. “I showed up with three letters of recommendation and a detailed document outlining everything from my coaching philosophy and goals for our inaugural season to offensive and defensive strategies. None of that was required — but that’s just who I am.”
Her preparation paid off. In their inaugural season, Prutow McKenna led the newest Ka Makani squad with the fire of a football coach running through her veins and the infectious enthusiasm of an elementary school teacher. The emergence of girls flag football has become more than just a new sport — it’s a movement. And it’s one that’s giving Ka Makani female athletes a long-overdue chance to shine on the gridiron, break barriers, build confidence, and make history one play at a time.
RIDING THE MOMENTUM
Girls flag football is the fastest-growing high school sport in the U.S. and it made an immediate splash at HPA. The program saw such a large turnout at tryouts that coaches were faced with making cuts — an uncommon challenge for a first-year team. Players say the excitement has extended beyond the field, with strong encouragement from classmates and teachers.
“We’ve been getting so much support from everyone,” says Taylor McClung ’28. “It’s amazing how many people have come to our games.”
Across the country, the sport’s rapid growth is driven by expanding opportunities for girls in athletics and
strong support from institutions like the NFL, which has significantly promoted flag football at the youth and high school levels both in Hawaiʻi and nationwide. The Seattle Seahawks hosted a preseason flag football clinic on Oʻahu, bringing together Ka Makani athletes and hundreds of participants from across the state.
In August 2024, Hawai‘i became the 12th state to officially sanction girls flag football as a high school sport. The season kicked off in March, with nearly 60 public and private high schools across the islands fielding teams. The season culminated in April with the first-ever state tournament. With the sport set to debut in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, its profile — and momentum — continues to grow.
The beauty of flag football is that it doesn’t take much outside a pair of cleats to participate, further opening the door for participation.
“You just need a group of girls who want to learn,” Prutow McKenna explains. “It’s really accessible to pick up and try. You can practice in your backyard and get better by doing a lot of simple things.”
The inaugural BIIF flag football season featured 14 teams divided into East and West divisions. Ka Makani dropped just one game during the regular season and finished as league runner-up, earning a spot in the state tournament on O‘ahu.
BUILDING THE FOUNDATION
For the HPA team, setting a “first” during the school’s 75th anniversary year is something special.
“When they announced we’d be having girls flag football, I was really excited,” says Lehia Akau ’26. “It’s awesome to be part of a team that’s making history at HPA. Since the first day of tryouts, we’ve just been growing together and bonding as a team.”
But with that honor also comes the uncertainty of stepping into uncharted territory.
“No one has done it before, so you really don’t know what you’re getting into, or which teams will be good,” says Adele Vystrčilová ’25. “It just makes it that much more exciting, finding out.”
The Ka Makani program has been built from the ground up, with most players stepping onto the field without any prior football experience. Over time, game plans and play calls have steadily evolved, and what began as basic instruction has grown into meaningful “chalk talks” focused on the finer points of the game.
“The way Lauren layered things on was just perfect. We could’ve come in and gone straight into all the football talk,” says assistant coach Tammie Akau P’22, ’26. “And honestly,
“ It’s awesome to be part of a team that’s making history at HPA. Since the first day of tryouts, we’ve just been growing together and bonding as a team.”
— LEHIA AKAU ’26
they probably would’ve run away the next day. But Lauren’s approach was to keep it simple at first. As they started to get it, we gradually added more of the football terminology. That really helped them get a feel for the game.”
They’ve also added their own creative twist to the playbook, naming plays after iconic female athletes like Olympic gymnast Simone Biles and soccer star Alex Morgan, blending strategy with inspiration.
“I want our team to develop a love for the sport in a way that empowers them,” Prutow McKenna says. “It’s important to be able to wear different hats and stay true to who you are in whatever you do. You don’t have to be the biggest, strongest, or fastest to love and play football.”
NOT JUST FOR THE BOYS
Prutow McKenna is quick to share the credit, praising her team of assistant coaches — Tammie Akau, George Subiono, and Kinaʻu Grace ’22 — for their invaluable support.
“For some of these girls, it’s their first time being varsity athletes, so it’s really our job to teach and guide them,” Tammie Akau says. “Three out of four of us are female coaches, and we just hope to make an impact on these young athletes, especially because we remember what it was like to be in their shoes.”
IN THE HUDDLE
• 14 BIIF schools participated in the inaugural girls flag football season.
• 57 teams competed statewide in the first year of sanctioned play.
• Games are played with seven players per side.
• The field measures 80 yards in length.
• Teams earn a first down by reaching the line to gain, located at the 20- and 40-yard markers.
• After a touchdown, teams can attempt a one-point conversion f rom the 3-yard line or a two-point conversion from the 10-yard line.
Grace suited up for the Ka Makani football team during her time at HPA, bringing a unique perspective to the sideline. She’s never bought into the idea that football should just be for the boys.
“No way,” she says with a big smile when asked about that sentiment. “There are girls out there who are just straight-up athletes. And this sport gives them a chance to shine in a new way. It wasn’t an option when I was in school, so it’s great to see all these girls staying active and trying something different.”
Games are fast-paced and packed with highlight-reel moments. On any given game day, you’ll see crisp routes, ankle-breaking jukes, and leaping grabs in the end zone. But beyond the skills and strategy, HPA’s program is building something deeper: a culture rooted in respect, sportsmanship, and a team-first mentality that’s shaping the foundation for seasons to come.
“Team culture was important from the get-go,” Prutow McKenna says. “My vision for this first season was to build a foundation that inspires others to play, while also competing for both BIIF and state titles. I want our girls to have the opportunity to be highly competitive, both onisland and in the state, and to gain the skills and confidence to play at the college level if they choose to pursue it. Those opportunities are coming quickly.” •
Village Campus, 1980s
The Story of Connection
As adviser to the Ka Makani yearbook, I begin each school year with a familiar and ever-evolving task: to help my staff capture the story of the year at our Upper Campus — visually, verbally, and purposefully. But this year, the 75th edition called for something deeper. We needed a theme that honored the present while recognizing the legacy of the past.
So we asked each other: what connects generations of HPA students, regardless of the decade they attended?
At first glance, it seems like a challenging question. So much has changed and evolved at our institution over the past 75 years — academic offerings, new teachers, fashion, music, new buildings, and even our standard of dress. Alumni who visit campus these days are filled with curiosity about what’s changed. Their comments and questions often tumble out in a mix of surprise and nostalgia: “When I went to school here, this campus had no trees!” “What happened to the dress code?” “Is Mrs. Kamrow still in Anna’s Dorm?” (It’s Perry-Fiske Hall now—and Babs retired in 2022.)
Yet behind the curiosity and nostalgia, there’s something else — a sense of recognition. A feeling that, despite all the changes, something essential remains. Boarders from the St. James campus in 1957 forged friendships similar to those made by international students in Robertson Hall today. Vladimir Ossipoff’s iconic buildings, our kīpu‘upu‘u winds, and the daily rhythms of school life continue to shape the spirit of Ka Makani across generations. And the impact of legendary faculty, administrators, and staff continues to live with alumni who learned from them.
After many conversations, some laughter, and a few passionate debates, our yearbook class chose this year’s theme: Noho Ā Kupa – The Story of Connection. This theme reflects what’s always been true at HPA: we are all
Patrick O’Leary joined HPA in 2005, returning to his family roots—his mother, Roberta Ipolani Payne ’61, is an alumna. Raised between Kona Mauka and Waimea, he teaches digital storytelling, advises the Ka Makani yearbook, and serves as HPA’s principal photographer. He and his wife, Hui-Chun, have two children: Hai-Chi ’23 and ʻĪmaikalani ’29.
part of a larger continuum — a tradition of learning, living, and growing in a place where people, place, and purpose are deeply intertwined. Our shared traditions — brought to life by faculty, staff, and the campus itself — remain the heart and soul of HPA, no matter how much has changed on the surface.
It’s a privilege to tell this story, to honor those who came before, and to celebrate the people and programs shaping our future. Because even in a school where change is constant, tradition and shared connection are what endure. And that’s worth celebrating. •
75 YEARS OF SNAPSHOTS
Theme Week, 2004
Eighth grade transition (class of 2008), 2004
Yearbook staff, 1970s
Robotics, 2002
Prom, 1960s
Gym class, 1960s
Swim practice at Kawaihae, 1960s
Village Campus, 1980s
Anna's Field, 1982
Upper School, 1983
Village Campus cafeteria, 1983
Commencement, 1976
Anna's Dorm (Perry-Fiske), 1990s
Middle School, 1980s
Village Campus, 1980s Sea Turtle Program, 2005
Pumpkin Patch, 2002
Olympics, 1990s
Commencement, 1996
Class Notes
60s:
After Stephen Stearns ’63 retired in 2021, he moved to Camano Island, Washington. Fedrico Biven ’66 is still acting from time to time at Diamond Head Theatre.
70s:
Charles Schuster ’70 wrote in to share a memory of one afternoon in December 1969: Coach Charlie Van Riper loaded swim team members in the van for practice in a little corner of Kawaihae Harbor. We motored down the Kawaihae Road (coach drove at interesting speed, let's say) and it became obvious that the surf was huge, as in once-in-several-decades, cover-the-breakwater, monster huge. At Queen K highway intersection we hung a left (cheers!) and soon arrived at what little of Hapuna Beach hadn't already washed out. We were turned loose for three hours of the biggest Hapuna I've ever seen. The entire bay was closed out with faces up to fifteen feet. Fortunately we'd anticipated this and most of us had our fins. I remember clawing the bottom under one set with rocks and gravel washing over my arms until a coral knob at least two feet in diameter gently rolled into my head. Reality check: yep, it's big.
“After a couple hours we were called back to the van for another hell-for-leather road trip back up to the customary swim team free-for-all dinner in the Lower Dorm upper commons room (names that are now lost, but check your wayback machine).
“That's the kinda good times we had before the school got its own pool. The same swell wiped out a lot of the North Shore of O‘ahu and moved boats from Hale‘iwa Harbor onto the road, closed the highway and washed through several houses.”
Hans L’Orange ’73 shared a beautiful memory from his time as a child at HPA: “Here’s a memory from the wayback machine that I suspect no one else knows. It actually goes back to when I was a student at HPA elementary, on the St. James campus. My father was the HPA football coach during those days and I would often come to practice with him. As a seven or eight-year-old, I’d get bored and I started wandering the campus. This may explain my habit of wandering the campus at night in later years, communing with the heavens, but that’s another story.
“On one of those early wanderings, I ended up in the library. I wasn’t sure what the building was, but I walked in and it happened to be when the cleaning ladies were working. They recognized me, Waimea being a very small town then, and they offered to check books out for me. And that became a regular practice. They would help me fill out the little cards in the front of the books, stamp the due date, and send me on my way with a couple of treasures. That’s when I began reading JRR Tolkien, Charles Dickens, Edgar Rice Burroughs, CS Forester. And so began a lifelong love of reading thanks for those beautiful cleaning ladies in the library on a random fall afternoon. You never know the impact the pebble that you toss in the pond will have.”
Alan Fujimoto ’74 shares that since graduating from HPA, “I spent eight years in L.A. and did my undergrad and dental degrees at USC. Returned home to Hilo and practiced for about 38 years. I became disabled just as Covid hit and didn’t receive any meaningful treatment for over two years. Yes, I was fortunate. I was eventually able to receive treatment in the most nefarious way that enabled me to return to normal life activities. However, I was warned not to return to practice just in case I reinjure myself with no guarantee of a positive outcome in the future. Wanting to be active, I enrolled at the Hawaii Community College Culinary Arts program in August 2022 and graduated in May
2024. Since then, I’ve been immersed in my new career of sorts and have turned in my surgical scrubs for a chef’s jacket. The change of environment of a quiet professional office to the chaotic heat of the kitchen has been both enlightening and reinvigorating. I became a ‘novelty of sorts’ since I was one of the oldest graduates of HCC Culinary and received some attention from local tv stations, Living 808 segments, and newspaper coverage. Not the attention I was seeking but the UH media had other ideas so I relented but indirectly, it allowed me to reconnect with some HPA alumni. Sorry to say, out of our class, the only one I really kept in touch with was Brian Kitagawa who suddenly passed a few years back. I do see Jason Inaba on the golf course off and on, reconnected with Gil Farias, and surprisingly enough with alumni here and there due to the Awards Ceremony at HPA and Senator Tim Richards ’77 at a Chef’s Challenge of all places! I hope you are all doing well and hope to reconnect soon.”
“I hope many ‘75 classmates are planning on attending our 50th reunion weekend!” Bridget Sullivan ’75 writes. “I will be there and would love to see as many in the class as possible!”
Mike Tavares ’75 and his wife moved to Panama City Beach, Florida in December 2024. “We are fully retired now. We moved into a 55+ community and are enjoying the year-round warm weather (no more snow). The living spaces and amenities in our community are Jimmy Buffet themed with emphasis on having a ‘Margaritaville’ experience every day. It is a planned, gated community. It works well with our lifestyle because it is a secure place to base out of as we do a bit more traveling. Our children and grandchildren are still living in the midwest. We plan to visit often — just not in the winter. We are looking forward to coming back for my 50th reunion in 2025. If there are any alumni near us, send me an email and we can meet up.”
(continued on page 40)
family.
Gabby Pike ’20, Hikari Shaver ’20, and Musashi Wahl ’21 in Japan last summer.
3. Congrats to Keli Jackson ’14 for receiving the Kona Underserved Award at her graduation from UW Medicine's MEDEX Northwest Program!
4. Tioni Judd ’62 is proud to share that seven of the 11 people pictured here are HPA alumni. This was taken in December 2023 at the celebration of Tioni’s 80th and Gail’s 75th birthdays.
5. Alex Nesic ’93 with his wife Melissa, two boys Sebastien and Huxley, and their dog Cali.
6. Garry Burns ’02 and his family “hanging out in our holiday grinch pjs: George ‘37, Penelope ‘42, Eleanor ‘39.”
1. Rick Habein ’78 with his
2.
Chemistry Is Life
Ed “Camp” Campbell ‘71
Ed (Camp) Campbell ’71 has a story to tell and a connection to make for just about everything, from cars and cargo to soccer and surfing. More than just another successful businessman and CEO, Campbell has carved his own path, winning friends and influencing people along the way. “No matter where I go, I'm talking to someone who asks me if I know Ed Campbell,” says Nathan Burkland ’05, Campbell’s colleague and fellow Ka Makani. “He’s everywhere in our corner of the world.”
Photo courtesy of Ed Campbell
That corner is the Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Alaska, and Seattle specifically. Campbell’s business, Commercial Chemtech, Inc., is an industrial water treatment service, helping businesses, schools, data centers, and hospitals manage the flow of water within their buildings or ships. Burkland, son of Al Burkland ’71, joined Campbell’s business years ago. Though he was neither a chemist nor an engineer by training, Burkland has become an indispensable part of the company’s success. “Nathan is always in the eye of the storm,” Campbell says. “He’s a key part of our team.”
Industrial water treatment is “the infrastructure no one sees,” Campbell says. “Our chemistry products can change the energy efficiency of a building by 60%, while using less water.”
In industrial processes, water’s solvency makes it valuable for cleaning, cooling, and chemical reactions. It also means that water easily picks up impurities, which is why proper water treatment is essential. “One of our basic chemicals that we put into the buildings is a proprietary chemical formula that we came up with,” says Campbell. “It uses lignin pitch, or tree resin, to create a monomolecular film that when put into the hydronic loops of buildings prevents the pipes from corroding. Clients love it!”
Commercial Chemtech certifies steam in hospitals, maintains the massive boilers at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, treats the industrial water system for the Seattle Aquarium … and the list of clients goes on and on.
Campbell attributes at least some of his success to what others might take as a setback. “One of the great things about being ADD is that you’re perfect for being a CEO,” he says. “You talk to a client, then you hang up and talk to insurance, then a lawyer, then factory people. Everything is bouncing off the walls at times … I spray out the ideas, and I rely mostly on my kids around me to organize them. John Bingham ’71, my HPA roommate, really helped me focus and read some crazy papers I wrote.”
Campbell grew up surfing the waves of Black Point with Dick Bates ’71 on O‘ahu. His father’s side of the family brought the first Ford cars to Hawai'i with the Murphy ‘ohana, and Campbell worked for his dad changing tires with Congressman Ed Case ’70. Before
boarding at HPA, he attended Kaimukī Intermediate School (now Kaimukī Middle School), and surfed with William Finnegan, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning biography Barbarian Days, a Surfing Life
At HPA, Judy Hancock taught him how to paint, and Will Hancock taught him business and economics. (“I was able to pay for my kids’ college thanks to what I learned from Will.”) Charlie Van Riper taught him the scientific method. (“We’d take blood samples from the birds and analyze the way avian malaria spread.”) The German chefs who came to work in Rockefeller’s Mauna Kea hotel
“ ”
Please read this in five minutes so I can preserve some of my 15 minutes of fame for winning the lottery.
– Ed (Camp) Campbell ’71
taught him scissor kicks and other soccer skills. (“On Sundays they came up and played our soccer team.”)
Campbell clearly cherishes all he’s learned and the relationships he forged at HPA. In many ways, he embodies the values of HPA, particularly ‘ohana and the idea that education should lead to a meaningful and satisfying life, creating a lasting sense of wonder.
Today, Campbell is trying to work a little less in favor of spending more time with his family. He and his wife have two daughters, a son, and six grandchildren who play soccer in their backyard. They all live nearby in West Seattle and share family dinners regularly.
“In some ways,” Campbell reflects, “I really tried to model my company as a family operation, inspired by Kelly Beal ’72. He has a big, successful family business, and that’s really why my kids are in my company.”
When asked if he has advice for HPA students today, he hesitates, and ultimately offers a brief, poetic response. “See more and be more in each encounter.”
And then he recalls the advice of another classmate’s father: “Tony Rutgers’ dad gave the commencement address to our class, and I found his advice valuable in my life. It was to keep your sense of humor and don’t let your prejudgments become prejudice.” •
(continued from page 36)
Teresa Fister ’78 fondly recalls from her time at HPA “two-hour yoga classes, sneaking out at night to sleep in the hills or go to the beach, wearing a mu'umu'u for dinner, choir in the chapel, and volleyball trips to Honoka‘a and beyond.”
Rick Habein ’78 sends greetings from Bend, Oregon. “We are a family of five. Jessica and I recently celebrated 25 years of marriage. We are still in the cattle business, albeit, on a smaller scale. Our daughter Cora is nationally competitively showing purebred angus cattle. In the last year our travels have included a trip to the Junior National Angus show in Madison, Wisconsin in July. And more recently a trip to Billings, MT to compete in the NILE. After that down to Kansas City and a very successful run at the Kansas City Royal. Our sons, Hayden and Henry Colter are gainfully employed near where we live in Bend. We continue to be a close family, spending time away from our work enjoying and helping each other. After 40 years in the cattle business, I have taken a position with a Pharmaceutical company, LONZA. Lonza is based in Visp, Switzerland. I work for the Bend collection of campuses. Most of what we do here in Bend is to create and provide innovative mechanisms for delivery of difficult medications to administer. Mostly in the cancer fighting arena. We as a family are working at making at least one trip back to Hawai‘i per year. This started as we realized that time was moving quickly and that we had neglected stopping long enough to smell the roses. Or in our case the plumeria and pikake. Aloha, Rick.”
Doug Herkes ’79 shares what he remembers about HPA: “I started out in 1975 as my family moved from O‘ahu to the Big Island. I lived my entire time there in Hall dorm, from the old wing to the new wing and back. I was the yearbook sports photographer in 1977 and the co-editor for 1977-78 and 1978-79. We used two different
darkrooms back then, one where the pool is now and one in Father Tom’s room in the lower dorm. We are talking the days of bulk loading rolls of black and white film into individual rolls for the cameras. Then we took that film, after taking all of the pictures for the yearbook, into dark rooms with safe lights full of toxic chemicals called developer, fixer, and stop bath, and made each individual picture… then pasted them with adhesive onto sheets that made up the individual pages of the yearbook. We worked until 1:00 A.M. at times to make our deadlines and would have a safelight buzz on our way to our rooms. We would then send off the pages to the mainland in sections to meet each deadline. We were the first to receive the Jostens Yearbook Golden Eagle award in 1978 and the first to get the yearbook out before graduation so people could sign each other’s books. There are many other things I recall, but that’s for another time. Mahalo for the memories.”
80s:
Vince Robinson ’80 shares that the second book of his Amansun the Dragon Prince trilogy is out and available for sale on Amazon, at Barnes & Noble, and other retail outlets and book stores. “Look for "Book 2: Return to Argonathe," and if you have the time please visit my website, amansuntrilogy.com.”
Edward Podol ’82 has been living in Scottsdale, Arizona for the last 12 years, working in healthcare finance. “My daughter is a junior at Duke, and my son is a freshman at Notre Dame. Looking forward to retirement in a few years and travelling more to Colombia, where my wife is from. My sister Beth '81 lives in El Paso, Texas.”
Jason Fox ’88 is living in Huntington Beach and providing psychotherapy for a non-profit agency. Megan MacArthur ’88
sends “love and warm wishes to you all. Waimea continues to grow and change as new generations make their mark, yet the beauty of the mountain, ocean, and island remains as breathtaking as ever. You will still recognize it!! I am still actively working in real estate, dancing, and riding my bike. Our blended family of seven kids (plus partners and now grandchildren!) keeps life joyful, exciting, and full. My heart goes out to the families of those from our class we’ve recently lost — our connections only deepen in meaning as time goes on. Please know I’m here if you ever need anything — maybe rubber slippers from KTA or something random you haven't been able to find on amazon, sourced here:). If you aren't living here now, I hope you’ll return to Waimea someday soon — dive into the ocean, hike the pu‘us, and enjoy a great plate lunch. Wishing you all the best and a joy-filled 2025!”
Jeni McKenzie ’88 returned to O‘ahu in 2022 after 26 years in LA, and is now working at Cades Schutte LLP.
Adam Norwood ’89 writes that “after working nearly 20 years in the world of Pre-K-12 education, I transitioned to higher education and am now in my fourth year as a faculty member at the Upper Valley Educators Institute, a small graduate school of education in Lebanon, NH. I’d love to connect with fellow Ka Makani in any area of education. Reach me at anorwood@uvei.edu.”
90s:
After over 25 years in Los Angeles, Alex Nesic ’93 decided to move his family to Boulder, CO. “We arrived over the summer and the whole family is acclimating really well. It’s beautiful, the people are really friendly and ski season just started, which we have been looking forward to! I continue to work in tech and am currently working as a co-founder of a company called Bingo Technologies in the electric mobility space.”
00s:
Micah Pueschel ’00 and classmates convened on O‘ahu for the wedding of Adam Taylor ‘99 and his wife Katrina Bowden. “Met up with Corrie Machesky ‘99, Kraig Hynes ‘99, Malia Bolton ‘00, Racey Biven ‘00, Cayson Peterson ‘05, Jamie Rosenfeld ‘04, Leighton Hind ‘04, and Zak Toyofuku ‘99
After a long search over the summer, Damien Sulla-Menashe ’02 started work as a Senior Software Engineer at Root Insurance in November. “Still living in Boston with my wife Kaitlin and our cat Musubi.”
Garry Burns ’02 shares that he recently welcomed “a beautiful new addition to our family: Penelope, who was born in early December. Everyone is happy and healthy, and we couldn’t be more grateful. As our family grows, we’re also making big moves and are looking forward to breaking ground on our latest residential project in spring 2025. I’m really excited for the 25th class reunion and can’t wait to reconnect with everyone. Hope to see you all there!”
Aloha, HPA ohana! Alison Teal ’03 here, sending waves of gratitude and excitement from my treehouse by the beach in Hawaii. Life since HPA has been an incredible adventure, and I owe so much to the foundation HPA gave me—a perfect launchpad into "real school" after being homeschooled around the world. From camels in India, to canoes in the Amazon, my childhood prepared me for a unique life, and HPA helped polish those experiences into a career I’m proud to share. Since graduating, I’ve been named Time Magazine’s “Female Indiana Jones” and have traveled the globe as an explorer, author, surfer, conservationist, and award-winning filmmaker. Armed with
my signature pink surfboard made from recycled trash, I’m on a mission to inspire the next generation of explorers and protect our planet’s greatest treasure—our world waters. My films, viral social media content, and adventures aim to educate through entertainment, and I’m humbled that this work has led to changing multiple environmental laws including cleaning up Trash Island and banning toxic sunscreens in Hawaii.
Social media has been an incredible tool in amplifying this mission. I’m thrilled to have over 2.3 million followers on TikTok and to be reaching an average of 30 million viewers monthly on YouTube, where my videos have accumulated over 200 million views. Through these platforms, I connect with a global audience to share stories, adventures, and environmental solutions.
I recently published my book, Alison’s Adventures: Your Passport to the World, with Ripley’s Believe It or Not, distributed by Simon & Schuster and Penguin Random House. My book and film series, Alison’s Adventures, have won international acclaim at film festivals and opened doors to speak at TED Talks, Parliament, and even the Economic World Forum.
In addition to creating family-friendly films, I’ve been honored to work as a goodwill ambassador and Sports Diplomacy Envoy with the U.S. State Department, leading to recent missions in Papua New Guinea, the Maldives, and Central America - and an adventure to the White House to meet our leaders! These roles combine my love for adventure and my commitment to fostering global collaboration and environmental stewardship.
Closer to home, I still live in a treehouse I helped build on the beach, surrounded by an ever-growing collection of animal friends (yes, including my octopus bestie,
Ocho). Life is a whirlwind of filming, surfing, and making waves of change!
Mahalo nui loa to all the teachers and friends at HPA who believed in me and fostered an environment where creativity and adventure are celebrated. The lessons learned and the friendships made have been the wind beneath my wings—or perhaps the wave beneath my surfboard!
To my fellow alumni: let’s keep inspiring each other and the next generation of explorers. Mahalo, HPA, for giving me the tools to take on the world!
Here's to embracing life's adventures, protecting our precious planet, and carrying the Aloha spirit wherever we go.
Warm aloha, Alison Teal ’03
In 2021 Michelle Mazzetti ’05 and Kenny Shamel '78 brought polo back to Waiki'i Ranch under the name Waiki'i Polo Club, after the pandemic put a halt to polo entirely for a few years. “We are going on our third year now of being Manager and President of the club and work together to continue to grow the sport here on Hawai'i island. We are proud to carry on a legacy started here in Waiki'i 40 years ago, in 1984. Working together with Jed Ednie '94, the past club president and current Interscholastic Coach, we have curated an I/I high school team, including some students from HPA, that has traveled to the National Championships and earned 5th place in the nation this year.” Michelle grew up riding with Judy Folk at the Taj after first attending HPA summer school in fourth grade. “I look forward to our daughter, Sofia Shamel, who just started Kindergarten at HPA, to also begin her riding journey with Judy soon.”
Ben Honey ’05 is sad to share the news of his mother Kathy Honey's passing due (continued on page 44)
Three Questions with Mikaela Crank ’03
Mikaela Crank ’03 initially came to HPA after participating in a summer program at Phillips Exeter Academy, where she learned about The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS). After researching the TABS member network, she ultimately chose HPA for her high school boarding experience. Today, Crank maintains a connection to HPA through College Horizons, where she serves as the scholars program director. A successful organization dedicated to increasing higher education access for Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian students, College Horizons will host week-long workshops this summer at Yale University, Northwestern University, and HPA.
Crank is a citizen of the Navajo Nation, of the Towering House and Folded Arms clans. She has worked for College Horizons for the last eight years, and prior to that, she worked for Stanford University’s Office of Undergraduate Admission as a Native student recruiter. She holds a B.A. from Arizona State University and an Ed.M. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
College Horizons has an impressive track record. Can you help us understand the need you’re addressing?
The challenges that affect the Native community are vast and nuanced. Social determinant factors (including economic stability, political systems, healthcare, housing, and historical trauma) greatly influence the students and families we serve. Only about one in 20 Native American students will attend a four-year college or university. College Horizons’ mission is to address the college attainment gap by providing college and graduate admissions workshops to these students. In the last 26 years, College Horizons has helped more than 4,000 Indigenous students from across the country earn college and graduate degrees with an astonishing 85% college completion rate compared to 24% nationally.
You’re an alumna of both HPA and College Horizons. What was your experience at HPA like, particularly as a Navajo woman?
My student experience at HPA was very positive. It was a safe space that allowed me to exercise my independence, foster relationships with my peers in the dorms, classrooms and cross-country team. A very formative experience at HPA was my participation as a runner on the cross-country team. It enabled me to deepen my connection with the island and bond with my teammates. I loved having practice at the beach or on the rainforest trails. Running has always been my therapeutic outlet, but it also has a significant connection to my culture, which is why I felt that it was even more meaningful to run on the ancestral homelands of the kānaka maoli. At 16, I was very adventurous and fearless when it came to challenging myself to step outside of my comfort zone, travel, and learn about the world. My HPA experience helped me articulate my culture to others who were not familiar with the Navajo Nation, and it was a common thread when I learned from my peers who were local Native Hawaiians or Indigenous from Tahiti, Samoa, or Micronesia. I learned how unique and special it was to be a Navajo citizen, but also how it translated to other Indigenous communities.
What advice do you have for HPA students today?
If at all possible, experience HPA beyond the campus borders and find ways to connect to the land. I went to high school when there was no social media, and everything was very much about the in-person, in the moment experience. If there are ways to disconnect from the platforms, try to find more genuine connections with peers. Practice self-advocacy and exercising your independence as a young adult. These skills that you are learning at HPA are vital to when you go off to college.
Photo courtesy of Hilary Abe
(continued from page 41) to cancer this past August. Kathy was a nurse in the HPA upper campus clinic in the early 2000's around the time Ben was in high school. Ben is looking forward to coming out next May to celebrate with the rest of the class of 2005 after 20 years. He hopes to bring the whole family including daughters Hannah (4) and Naomi (1) to Alumni Weekend.
Nick Quaintance ’05 moved back to Hawai'i Island in early 2024 with his wife Sarah and one-year-old daughter, Maeve. He is working for Renewable Energy Services in Honoka‘a.
This year Rabbi Steven Philp ’06 became part of the inaugural cohort of the Interfaith Leadership Network with the Interfaith Alliance for his work facilitating dialogue across differences as conflict continues to unfold in the Near East. “I was also selected to be part of the Israel Policy Forum Aid Conveners Program, which brings together young professionals from across North America who are committed to securing a future of peaceful co-existence in Israel and Palestine. I'm in my fourth year as a rabbi at Mishkan, a progressive spiritual community in Chicago recapturing Judaism's transformative essence.”
10s:
In August 2024, Keli Jackson ’14 graduated from physician assistant school at UW Medicine's MEDEX Northwest Program at their new Kona campus. “At graduation I was awarded the Kona Underserved Award. (MEDEX students are recognized for exceptional achievement in the care of, improved access for, or promotion of public awareness of the needs of the medically underserved. This award is presented to students who have demonstrated a strong dedication to ongoing service
to underserved communities.) My final capstone project focused on the importance of using gender-inclusive language in healthcare fields. Additionally, I was accepted into and completed the PA Education Association's Student Health Policy Fellowship, which only 20 PA students are accepted into countrywide per year. For my final fellowship project I created a pregnancy options guide for PAs and other healthcare professionals who want information on comprehensive pregnancy options counseling. I am now finishing my credentialing exams and will begin to apply for jobs. I am particularly passionate about women's health, mental health, and transgender care. I am so thankful for my education at HPA that ultimately helped me gain the education I needed to help underserved populations in a meaningful way. Thank you HPA!!”
Hannah Twigg-Smith ’14 graduated this fall with her PhD in Human Centered Design and Engineering from the University of Washington. “My dissertation was titled ‘Tools for Digital/Physical Creativity’ and covered a variety of software tools I built to support creative work, focusing on software for designing textiles and knit structures. After graduating I moved to Cambridge, MA to join a startup building new technologies for automatic knitting.”
Hiro Ueno ’14 is working as the Director of Marketing Operations for the Miami Dolphins.
Annaliese Everett ’17 wrote in to share a memory: “I have a lot of memories of HPA and my time there. All of them stand out but one in particular was the best I think of often. I had the opportunity to work with the HI-SEAS Mission to Mars program through the HPA Energy Lab. It was the highlight of my senior year. I was also able to work with animals all four years of high school from being part of the outdoor bamboo
classroom to the amazing equestrian program… and from those amazing experiences, I now work in a vet clinic and am getting my license to be a veterinary technician. I hope that when my son is old enough, I will be able to enroll him in HPA Upper School, and he will have the amazing opportunities as I did.”
Ashley Souza ’18 graduated from the University of Oregon in 2024 with a Master's degree in Advertising and Brand Responsibility, and is now working her first professional job at an advertising agency local to Eugene, Oregon, where she lives.
Christopher Chock ’19 “really misses Flagpole on Friday.”
20s:
Gabby Pike '20 wrote in to share a photo (see page 37) of a meetup with her classmates. Gabby, Hikari Shaver '20, and Musashi Wahl '21 all met in Japan last summer. “We have been visiting each other and explored Harajuku… It's been a blast catching up!”
Rei Jackson ’24 shares: “I’ll never forget the friends and memories I made my senior year. It was such a bonding experience for everyone — especially during Olympics. Being able to come together as a class and all get together to celebrate our accomplishments was so fun! I’ll also never forget Junior year meeting my boyfriend. We’ve been together two years now and are currently in the process of moving in together! HPA was 100% the place for me to find life-long friendships and I’m so grateful for it.”
Class notes are edited for length and clarity, including adding diacritical markings and other minor adjustments, in accordance with HPA’s style guidelines.
7. Annaliese Everett ’17 and her son.
8. Ben Honey ’05 on a NASA launch day in Texas with his colleagues in flight ops, including astronaut Zena Cardman.
9-12. Steve Doughty ’68 shared photos from a gathering with classmates on Blakely Island last year.
13. Mike Spalding ’66 spoke at HPA's 2024 Commencement.
14. Members of the class of 1967. Left to right: Mark Johnson, Margot Johnson, David "Doggie" Wilcox, Jimmy Blake, Phil Abbott, Carson Coleman, Susan Coleman, Bobby Anderson III. 57 years later: IMUA, Kamakani.
FOREVER KA MAKANI: REUNION 2025
I.
A. Members of the Class of 1965 celebrate.
B. Trail ride leaving “The Taj.”
C. “Aloha” from the Class of 1975.
D. Campus tour.
E&F. Ka Makani Class of 2005 and friends at Isaacs Art Center.
G. Celebrating 60 years of friendship.
H. Jo Piltz, her daughter Jenny Piltz, Class of 1985, and Hans Solmssen, Class of 1975.
Future Ka Makani embraces tradition.
Wear the story. Carry the spirit.
Every aloha shirt tells a story. HPA’s story is one of warriors and winds, rainbows and ‘ōhi‘a, palaka and pines. In honor of our 75th anniversary, we created this special edition collection—an enduring tribute to the elements that shape our school and our home.
Whether you’re near or far, these garments invite you to wear HPA’s legacy with pride. Ka Makani is forever—and so is great aloha wear.
Who knows? Maybe 25 years hence, a student will wear their mom or dad’s vintage 75th shirt to our 100th anniversary. That’s how traditions live on.
These special garments pay tribute to HPA’s most enduring elements, including:
Palaka symbolizes Waimea’s paniolo and their integrity, a core value of HPA.
HPA’s school seal is the official representation of our deep history.
The iconic “A” is a nod to our athletic power and school spirit.
SCAN TO PLACE YOUR ORDER
The lei is a universal symbol of aloha. At HPA, lei is tied to our most cherished celebrations.
The words of Hole Waimea and the spears of Kamehameha’s kīpu‘upu‘u warriors with the currents of wind and water were originally designed by Sig Zane for HPA.
The Ka Makani Senior Pinning Ceremony marks a poignant rite of passage. Surrounded by classmates, teachers, and families, seniors are welcomed into HPA’s alumni ‘ohana as graduates from years past pin them with the school’s seal — honoring the legacy they now carry forward.
65-1692 Kohala Mountain Road
Kamuela, Hawaiʻi 96743
www.hpa.edu
Want more info on HPA?
Application inquiries: admissions@hpa.edu
All other questions: connect@hpa.edu
Order your 75th Anniversary aloha wear!
Commemorate this HPA milestone with a collection that tells our story. See page 47.
