Ma Ke Kula - Spring/Summer 2021 by Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy

Ma Ke Kula H AWA I ‘ I P R E PA R AT O R Y A C A D E M Y M A G A Z I N E : S P R I N G | S U M M E R 2 0 2 1

100% RENEWABLE ENERGY: STUDENTS HELP LEAD THE WAY

BUILDING PEACE: ABIGAIL (ROSS) RUANE ’98 AND ELEONORE VEILLET-CHOWDHURY ’01

OUR YEAR IN PICTURES: CHALLENGE AND HOPE

M A K E K U L A S P R I N G /S U M M E R 2 0 2 1

FEATURES

Women Building Peace

Two HPA alumnae tackle barriers to women's rights and peace across the globe

Brain Power

Students help lead HPA toward 100% renewable energy

DEPARTMENTS 3

The Mix Congressman Ed Case ’70 Tee Suntharo ’04 serves the community through Parker Ranch Leala Humbert ’03 launches Ua Body Financial aid donors are changing lives n

Ka Makani Pride 30 HPA swimmers land college opportunities Staying active in the time of COVID n

HPA Connections Class notes Giving back HPA events and more • Bonnie Bogue Wedemeyer ’86 • Young alums on networking and the lessons of HPA • Community foundations support garden interns • Sienna Rogers ’94 n

Final Frame 48 Ma Ke Kula is produced twice per year by the HPA advancement office. Principal photographer: Patrick O’Leary. Other credits as noted. Cover and back cover: Nani Welch Keli‘iho‘omalu ’14.

PAT R I C K J. P H I L L I P S / H E A D O F S C H O O L

Finding ways to flourish, on campus and beyond

I hope this message finds you in a place where you

Anuhea Elliott ’22, and Alec Eyckeler ’21—who are

and your loved ones are safe, and where the effects

experimenting with renewable energy sources and

of the pandemic are beginning to lessen. This has

systems—are mirrored by the clean-energy work

been a staggering year for all of us, and even though

of Sienna Rogers ’94 and the sustainable business

there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel, the

practices of Leala Humbert ’03. Financial aid donors

ongoing impact of the pandemic remains uncertain.

are changing the lives of students who come to HPA,

All of us here on campus send hope and warmest

while alumni go out to serve in the halls of Congress

aloha to Ka Makani everywhere.

(Ed Case ’70), strengthen the communities of Hawai‘i

At HPA, spring semester has been filled with hard

Island (Tee Suntharo ’04), or raise up peacebuilding

work, agility, and adaptation, especially on the part

missions around the world (Abigail Ruane ’98 and

of our students. We continue to be so proud of their

Eleonore Veillet-Chowdhury ’01).

fortitude with safety protocols, their creativity in the

None of this could happen without our families

classroom, and their joy at being together—making

and alumni spreading the good news of HPA and

friends, sharing meals, contributing to campus life—

lending their financial support. As we close this

even under difficult circumstances.

academic year and celebrate the class of 2021, we

From an operational perspective, this year

are grateful for our vibrant HPA ’ohana. To all our

challenged HPA’s academic, logistical, and physical

HPA Fund and Wai‘aka Initiative donors, we say a

systems at every level. I am deeply grateful to

special mahalo—you kept our programs thriving

everyone who helped HPA, day by day, month by

and made it possible for many students to remain

month, to remain open and deliver the learning

enrolled at HPA during this very unsettling year.

experience our children need. Teachers and staff

On behalf of everyone at HPA, I send our best

pushed themselves to the limit. Families and alumni

wishes for a safe and restorative summer. Thank you

provided expertise, volunteer hours, and financial

for being part of this remarkable HPA story.

support. Please know that HPA would not survive, let alone flourish, without you. Inside these pages, you will find many stories of the school and global HPA community that you help sustain. The mindsets of Nicholas Barrick ’21,

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Our Year In

s e r u t Pic Since the spring of 2020, all of us around the world have weathered fear, loss, change, and hope on a global scale. Here at HPA, we practiced patience and found many ways to stay safe, curious, and positive. We're so proud of our students for their ingenuity and resilience, and we are grateful to our teachers, staff, families, and alumni for continuing to stand with HPA. As this academic year draws to a close, we're sending aloha to Ka Makani everywhere.

2020-21

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We got creative (1) Reuse, Reduce, Recycle Day; (2) Crazy Hair Day, Village Campus, October

Nature helped us (3) Harvesting ’ulei fruits, Village Campus garden, August

We never stopped learning (4) Allyssa Sturla's middle school English classroom, January

We kept the dorm fun

(5) Roommates, Perry-Fiske Hall, February

We faced the unknown (6) Social studies teacher Eric Mumau takes a break after an eight-hour dorm duty shift, Robertson Hall

Traditions brought joy (7) Long live the HPA waterslide! Upper Campus, October

We found resilience (8) Masks and shields couldn't stop curiosity, Village Campus, December

We held on to each other (9) Morning drop off, Village Campus, September

Activity eased stress (10) Girls paddling team, Kawaihae Harbor, February

Classes connected 7

(11) The sophomores pull together, HPA Olympics, April

Service made us stronger (12) Bounty baskets with Kanu O Ka ‘Āina charter school in honor of Makahiki season, November

And we danced! (13) Senior class party, Energy Lab, December

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2020-21 11

Congressman Ed Case ’70 on Influence and Ethic Before a chance summer detour through Washington, D.C. after college graduation in 1975, U.S. Congressman Ed Case ’70 was a Hilo boy in search of direction. He found it on Capitol Hill working for U.S. Congressman and then Senator Spark Matsunaga of Hawai‘i. Case is now beginning his 19th year in elective office at the local, state, and federal level. After taking his fifth oath of office in Congress, he is more devoted than ever to public service, the institution of Congress, and the people of Hawai‘i.

“

I’ve never told anyone this story,” Case confides, “but my first election was at HPA. It was me against Kelly Conrad for Student Council, and I voted for Kelly because I thought it was the chivalrous thing to do!” Case lost the election to Conrad by one vote. “I never didn’t vote for myself again,” he laughs. Today, Case serves as one of Hawai‘i’s two U.S. Representatives in Congress. The other, newlyelected Congressman Kai Kahele, also hails from Hilo and has credited Case with preparing him for service in Washington. “My kuleana was to get him

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up to speed and fully engaged as quickly and broadly as possible,” Case explains. “For a state like Hawai‘i with a small delegation, it’s critical that all four of us (including our two Senators) are fully engaged and firing on all cylinders at all times.” When he’s not onboarding a freshman Congressman, Case serves on two key House committees: the Appropriations Committee, which is the oldest committee in Congress and is responsible for allocating some $1.4 trillion of federal funding annually (in addition to trillions in COVID-19

News Notebook VLC: Teachers learning from each other Collegial learning is a powerful tool for faculty and staff, but providing them with meaningful professional development presented a challenge in this pandemic year. Last fall, HPA launched its Virtual Learning Community (VLC)—a creative, online space for sharing skills and discussing new ideas with colleagues. Throughout this year, HPA faculty and staff have had the option to join a virtual, peer-led workshop. “I’m so glad we built this system out for those who are interested in participating,” says Director of Studies Dr. Amy Cole, who spearheaded the series. “So much expertise and wisdom exist within the HPA faculty. We want to celebrate that fact and find a way to continue to learn from each other during these challenging times.”

Congressmen Case and Kahele on inauguration day

assistance); and the Natural Resources Committee, which has jurisdiction over all public lands and natural resources, including water, oceans, and wildlife. Case sees these committees as ideal platforms from which to both lead our country and help Hawai‘i, and he remains moved by the responsibilities he holds as well as the weight of history he feels daily within such a venerated institution. This year marks the 117th time that our country has convened Congress, dating back to the first years of George Washington’s presidency. After a deeply divisive election and the tragedy of the January 6th assault on the Capitol, Case is especially grateful that our foundations have held, and he chooses to be optimistic. “I prefer to go through life hoping and believing that we’re all capable of better things, and that I can contribute in some way to that result.” He traces this back to the ethos of HPA: “There was a very strong ethic at HPA that you should contribute your life to something broader than just yourself.” Case intends to keep doing just that. • For more of Case’s story, including his reflections on the January 6 Capitol attack, visit our website. Photos courtesy of Congressman Ed Case

Topics ranged over a broad spectrum, from student-driven learning and assessment strategies to sustainability education and diversity, equity, and inclusion. “I am honored by those colleagues who stepped up to lead or participate in virtual workshops this year,” says Cole. “While we look forward to returning to more in-person professional learning next year, as with many lessons learned during this pandemic, there is a good chance we may also decide to maintain this new way of learning as well.”

HPA prepares for accreditation in April 2022 Every seven years, HPA undertakes a joint accreditation process through the Hawai‘i Association of Independent Schools (HAIS) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). For independent schools nationwide, accreditation offers a valuable opportunity for self-assessment, as well as providing an independent benchmark of academic excellence. In January, HPA began the self-study process that will culminate in a self-study report due December 2021. The format focuses on six areas: mission and core values; teaching and learning; financial sustainability; operations; institutional stewardship and leadership; institutional improvement; and sustainability. In April 2022, HPA will host the HAIS-WASC visiting committee for a three-day campus visit, after which the committee will provide a final accreditation report outlining commendations and recommendations. “The accreditation process is illuminating and valuable for any school,” says Head of School Patrick Phillips. “At HPA, this is an opportunity to reflect on where HPA has been, where it is headed, and the progress we’ve made in recent years toward the vision expressed in HPA’s strategic plan. I’m grateful to the many members of our community who are involved—whether taking a big-picture look at our programs, serving on a committee, or generating metrics and data—especially during this extremely busy and complex school year.” • 9

4 Questions with Sunny, Village Campus therapy dog Known as the furrier half of the Village Campus counseling duo, Sunny is a standard poodle who lives and works with counselor Rachel Baydo. Since joining HPA in 2018, he has become a beloved fixture of the K-8 community—lifting spirits, calming anxieties, and building confidence. We had a chance to ask him a few questions.

Being a therapy dog must come with a lot of responsibility. What kind of, um, professional development have you received? Oh gosh, lots! I spent my puppy days mostly just having good fun. By the time I turned one, I had already completed my Canine Good Citizen Certification and I was ready for my therapy dog training. Over the course of more than 400 hours, I learned how to politely greet new friends, how to not be too surprised or excited by new places or loud sounds, and (my favorite) how to accept long hugs. Rachel helped, too. She learned about communicating clearly with me and just generally how to take good care of me.

What do you most enjoy about working at the Village Campus? All of my colleagues are truly wonderful… I feel lucky to be part of such a strong pack. My favorite is recess when I get to go out on the playground to hang out with students to give and receive lots of love and affection. Also the food is great! Sometimes the cafeteria serves kale salad from Ulu Mau garden. Delicious.

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How do you like to spend your time when you aren’t on the clock? On Friday night, after a long week at work, I usually celebrate by gnawing on my favorite treat: a bully stick (also known as a “stinky bone”). I enjoy leisurely walks in the neighborhood, car rides, and play dates with my friends—outside and socially distanced, of course. I am also an epic sleeper. When given the chance, I love a good power nap.

Apart from the hugs, what is your favorite thing about being a therapy dog? I really love being able to help all of the people around me. Did you know that a growing body of research supports the academic, social-emotional, and physical benefits that therapy dogs like me can provide? I can help lower blood pressure and heart-rate, reduce stress reactions, and increase levels of trust, empathy, compassion, and confidence. Knowing all of this brings me a great deal of job satisfaction—and I also quite like when someone reads a good book to me. •

Object Lesson For generations, lei maile have been worn for ceremonies across the Hawaiian islands—including graduation. The fragrant leaf has roots far back into Hawaiian history, but demand for the native plant is beginning to outstrip sustainable sources—particularly as maile loses its habitat to development. Two years ago, HPA Hawaiian language Kumu Ka‘ai Spencer and his wife, Kumu Lahela Spencer, began a new tradition: they made the entire graduating class exquisitely-woven lei lāʻī, a sustainable alternative to maile. Lei lāʻī are made from the leaves of the ti plant, which grows abundantly and is easily cultivated. •

Creating Value for Community TEE SUNTHARO ’04 KEEPS HIS EXPERT FINANCIAL EYE ON THE BOTTOM LINE— OR, MORE ACCURATELY, ON TWO BOTTOM LINES.

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As manager of strategic planning and capital allocation for Parker Ranch, Tee Suntharo ’04 uses what you could call “double vision.” For the layperson, he explains it this way: “Many folks think that Parker Ranch is a privately-owned business, but we are actually a trust, and we exist to benefit the community. We have two mandates: to generate strong financial returns, and to provide funds to our trust beneficiaries. We can’t do one without the other. Speaking as someone who grew up here, it feels good to support this mission.” For nearly two centuries, Parker Ranch has helped to shape commerce, culture, and landscape on Hawai‘i Island and especially in Waimea. The intertwined relationship of Waimea and Parker Ranch grew even stronger in 1992 when Richard Smart, a descendent of founder John Palmer Parker and the last private owner, placed the ranch in a charitable trust. The trust’s mandate is to generate financial support for four beneficiaries: Queen’s North Hawai‘i Community Hospital, Hawai‘i Community Foundation, Parker School, and Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy. Suntharo, who is a CFA charterholder and a certified public accountant, has dedicated much of his business career to the idea that making money can be explicitly linked to making a positive impact for the world. Mission-driven and profit-driven aren’t necessarily at odds. After graduating from the University of Southern California with a degree in accounting, Suntharo landed a job as an auditor with KPMG, one of the “Big Four” global accounting firms. He eventually transferred to the Honolulu office, and several years later took another leap, this time to Ulupono Initiative, an investment firm started by eBay founder Pierre Omidyar and his wife, Pam. Like a traditional firm, Ulupono seeks to generate profits for investors, but it does so via investments that sustain Hawai‘i, advancing local food, clean energy, and other mission-based priorities. Suntharo’s four years with Ulupono set the stage for his work with Parker Ranch today. “I never imagined working for the ranch I passed so often on my way to HPA,” says Suntharo, “or how this work helps our beneficiaries, including the school where I learned so much.” At HPA, Suntharo ran cross country (he was captain senior year),

discovered Japanese, served as a dorm prefect, and became intrigued with business during AP Economics taught by Peter Dods ’96. “He came to teaching from a Wall Street background, and having a teacher with practical experience really spurred my interest in the business world,” Suntharo says. With his colleagues on the management team, Suntharo is focused these days on fulfilling the Parker Ranch strategic plan. Adopted in 2013, the plan focuses on three key areas: energy, agriculture, and community development. While Parker Ranch remains rooted in its ranching heritage and paniolo traditions, the ranch is actively seeking to diversify and leverage its operations in new and innovative ways. “We continually seek the highest and best stewardship for our land,” Suntharo explains. Projects stemming from the strategic plan include Paniolo Cattle Company grass-fed beef, which recently expanded to become statewide. Parker Ranch currently supplies all the cattle, but the ultimate goal is for up to 50 percent to come from local ranchers across the state, thereby expanding local food production. The ranch also has a solar energy project in the works that should generate about 20 percent of Hawai‘i Island’s baseload when complete. “That’s almost 17,000 homes,” says Suntharo. One of the most exciting projects on his desk right now involves old growth forest land. “We believe we can create value for the community and also better the health of the forest,” he explains. “There’s a lot we can do just by changing our current management practices. Our stands of native trees have been around so long that they contain many dead or dying specimens that are quite valuable. Removing them will make room for new growth. “Beyond that, we’re looking into what species might thrive in the different climates and conditions we have on Parker Ranch land. Expanding the forest brings us back to that ‘double bottom line’ concept. We can build thriving businesses and improve our environment at the same time.” In this and many other ways, Parker Ranch is working to sustain Waimea, Hawai‘i Island, and the state not just today but for many generations to come. “Our beneficiaries are hopefully going to be around forever,” he says. “Our mission is to support them that long.” •

Photo by Nani Welch Keli‘ iho‘omalu ’14 13

How To launch a skin care line LEALA HUMBERT ’03

eala Humbert ’03 grew up in Waimea, watching and helping her mother create botanical infusions, essential oils, and skin creams in their home kitchen. A gardener, photographer, and lei-maker, Alice Humbert moved with her husband, Henri, from the south of France to Hawai‘i in the early ’80s. When she couldn’t find natural skin care products in Hawai‘i, she began to blend her own and eventually established a local skincare line: Island Herbal. When Alice passed away in 2018, Humbert and her husband, Blaine Kusler, decided to build upon her legacy. In January 2020, they launched Ua Body—a clean, additive-free, vegan skin care line that draws inspiration from Alice’s recipes and the native ingredients of Hawai‘i. At HPA, Humbert enjoyed both arts and sciences, and it's easy to see how she blends the two today. She also draws upon an eclectic post-college career.

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After graduating from the Clark Honors College at the University of Oregon, she spent eight years in Portland, OR as a baker, bookkeeper, and, eventually, a sommelier and wine importer. “I learned a lot about texture and applications of temperature,” she says, “plus the blending and analysis of flavors and scents, which I use almost every day.” Despite the pandemic, the last 15 months have been productive, exciting ones for Ua Body and for Humbert. In June 2020, the company was accepted into Cohort 5 of Mana Up, a business-accelerator program for Hawai‘i-based companies geared toward retail, e-commerce, and global markets. In December, The New York Times featured Ua Body in a line-up of Hawai‘i based skin-care brands. Thanks to this publicity, as well as loyal, local support, Ua Body is currently selling in Hawai‘i boutiques, as well as states across the U.S., from Vermont to California.

How does Hawai‘i inspire your business?

I want to create skincare that is authentically from Hawai‘i, using unexpected local ingredients so that the rest of the world can enjoy and think of Hawai‘i in a different way, rather than just tropical beaches and palm trees. This is a complex place—a very real place—and I want people to know that story. I also want our business to be based here, truly part of the local economy. That means not just the vision and sourcing, but manufacturing too.

What has been your guiding light?

At the beginning, my husband asked me “What is really important? What do you care about most?” For me, the answers were clear and still are. I want to package sustainably. At the same time, I want to have a luxury look and feel, because everyone deserves a little luxury. I want to be natural and additive-free so that our products can go back into the earth. And I want to partner with as many local producers as possible. I have a friend with a really great turmeric oil. I haven’t figured out how to use it yet, but I will!

Can you describe your creative process, maybe using a favorite product? I read a lot about natural perfumes and blending, but I don't always follow the rules. Take our ‘Ekolu cream. I wanted a body butter feel, but not so heavy. So I went with an oil that I like for my face—the kukui oil. Then I added macadamia oil, which is thicker and more viscous, because I did want the nourishing power of a rich body butter. For the base, I used my favorite, coconut oil, which could have been somewhat flat, but by blending all together, I got a great layering effect, even without fragrance. It’s just really light and nourishing, and I can source all these oils locally. It’s one of our top sellers.

How would your mom feel about this venture?

She would be over-the-moon proud. She would love the fact that I’ve taken something she believed in and made it my own—aligning it with my values and growing it in new directions. Thirty years ago, she envisioned a kind of skin care that didn’t really exist, so she made it happen. I’m surrounded by her love of flowers, plants, and gardening every day. • What's your passion? To nominate yourself or another alum for the next “How To,” email us at alumni@hpa.edu.

K-12 CAPSTONE PROGRAM FLOURISHES IN YEAR TWO As 2020-21 comes to a close, HPA celebrates the amazing capstone work of students in grades 5, 8, and 12, while planning for the year to come. This year, students completed the HPA academic milestone with typical flair, representing a broad range of topics and disciplines—from science and art to community service and public policy. (For three examples, see page 24.) “Even in the midst of this pandemic, we see our students pursuing questions and problems that really matter to them, that address the needs of their community or the larger world,” says Dr. Amy Cole, director of studies. “Having ownership and agency over their own learning process and the outcome—this is the core lesson of capstones. We want students to leave HPA with self-driven curiosity and independent thinking, along with practical skills, like public presentation and project management. That’s the best way to prepare them for college and all the expectations and challenges that life will bring.”

Generous donors are changing lives TH E WAI ‘AK A I N ITIATIVE FO R FI NAN CIAL AI D

inancial aid has always been a strong tradition at HPA. For generations, alumni, parents, and friends

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING

have generously helped to keep HPA a welcoming

AND GIVING ME THE

place for talented students from many different

backgrounds. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, this tradition has grown even more essential. The past year has

OPPORTUNITY TO DO MY VERY BEST AT HPA. I WOULDN’T

been difficult for HPA families, with many struggling to

BE HERE WITHOUT YOU.

make ends meet. HPA is stretching its current resources as

YOUR SUPPORT DOES NOT GO

far as possible; however, a stronger financial aid budget is imperative if HPA is going to make a long-term difference for

UNSEEN.

students and their families. Unlike many of its peer schools, HPA has a very modest endowment and a limited number of donor-established funds that are dedicated to financial aid. While special initiatives like Alu Mai, along with the HPA Fund, provide immediate and growing support, HPA can only meet a limited percentage of the actual financial need each student has. HPA proudly embraces its commitment to financial aid. At the same time, the current funding situation cannot be sustained indefinitely. Families that can afford the full cost of HPA—or any private school—are coming from a smaller and smaller segment of the population. The Wai‘aka Initiative for Financial Aid is the first critical step toward protecting HPA’s student body: a unique and life-changing mixture of students from Hawai‘i, the continental U.S. and many other nations. Above all, each financial aid gift touches the life of a specific HPA student—as revealed by their voices here on the page.

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HPA ISN’T JUST ABOUT EDUCATION AND BOOKS FOR ME, IT IS WAY BEYOND THAT.

HPA IS ABOUT THE LIFELONG CONNECTIONS WITH AMAZING PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD WHO YOU COULDN’T MEET ANYWHERE ELSE ON THIS ISLAND EXCEPT THIS BEAUTIFUL CAMPUS.

I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE DIVERSITY HPA BRINGS TO MY LIFE. BEING FROM SUCH A SMALL TOWN MAKES IT HARD TO SEE THE WORLD FROM DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES, AND HPA HAS HELPED ME IMMENSELY WITH LEARNING AND IMMERSING MYSELF, AS BEST I CAN, IN OTHER PEOPLE’S LIVES AND CULTURES.

The Wai‘aka Initiative: Fast Facts You can earmark your HPA Fund gift for financial aid at www.hpa.edu/give The HPA endowment is currently valued at roughly $45 million and generates about $2.6 million per year for all HPA operations. Of this amount, roughly $500,000 can be used for financial aid. Every year, nearly 50% of HPA students require financial aid and the need is growing. HPA urgently needs generous donors who can establish endowed funds for deserving students to come to HPA. Within the HPA endowment, a donor can establish a permanent fund that will generate financial aid every year.

I DON’T KNOW WHERE I’D BE WITHOUT HPA. I HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH AND GROWN IN SO MANY WAYS.

Endowment fund levels start at $25,000 and rise to $250,000 or more, depending on the impact donors want to make for HPA students. • $25,000 generates approximately $1,000 for a student each year. • $250,000 generates approximately $11,000. • $2.5 million generates approximately $112,500.

I AM BEYOND HONORED FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY...THANK

Here's how you can help

YOU FOR SUPPORTING MY EDUCATIONAL PATH AND SETTING MY FUTURE UP! I

To expand financial aid at HPA, we need every member of our HPA ‘ohana at every gift level. Support the HPA Fund, and consider directing your gift to financial aid. If you are able, consider a Leadership Circle gift and/or a permanent endowed fund. To learn more, please contact Hannah Hind Candelario ’01, director of advancement, at hcandelario@hpa.edu.

PLAN TO GO OFF TO COLLEGE AND DO SOMETHING BIG WITH MY LIFE.

Women

Building Peace Two HPA alumnae tackle barriers to women’s rights and peace across the globe

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ne humid day in New York City at the United Nations Plaza, Eleonore Veillet-Chowdhury ’01 was waiting in line to receive her United Nations ID card. “The person ahead of me looked so familiar,” she recalls. “I said, ‘I think your name is Abbi. How do I know that?’”

The woman was Abigail (Ross) Ruane ’98, also in line that day to get her United Nations ID. Though their paths hadn’t crossed at all since high school, these two HPA alumnae reconnected around their common careers. Both are standouts in the field of global peacemaking and women's rights. Today, Veillet-Chowdhury lives in Baltimore, MD, and is a global consultant and senior program advisor with the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (GNWP). Ruane works in New York City, where she is a political affairs officer at the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs. Both are mothers and team up with their partners to juggle international travel and manage currently hybrid inperson/remote learning schedules for their children, while they continue the work of making a place at the table for women who are leading movements in Libya, Sudan, Ukraine, Bangladesh, and beyond. Now, in the midst of a global pandemic, their work is more important than ever.

Photos courtesy of GNWP (left) and UN Photo/Ky Chung (right)

In the time of COVID, renewed urgency for women peacebuilders Last year, as the COVID-19 pandemic raged, the United Nations marked the 20th anniversary of Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS). A trailblazing resolution spearheaded in 2000 by the global women’s peace movement, it was the first UN resolution to recognize the centrality of women’s leadership in achieving international peace and security. Two decades later, there has been some progress on women’s participation in global peacemaking— women are increasingly recognized as leaders in protests and movements for social justice around the world—but the work is far from complete. Worldwide, women still too often remain at the sidelines of resolving violent conflict, despite the fact that gender equality (or lack thereof) remains a state’s number one predictor of peace. The novel coronavirus has made this work even more urgent. By UN estimates, some 2 billion people currently live in countries affected by conflict. With the spread of COVID-19, human beings are now fighting wars and a lethal virus. In October 2020, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for a global ceasefire and later convened a virtual roundtable where he urged governments to recommit to the WPS agenda. “It’s time to move beyond words and aspirational commitments,” he

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said. “We must invest and partner with

girls bear the brunt of it,” she explains.

women leaders and their networks to

“They are both first responders and the

accelerate women’s full, equal, and

victims of increased violence in their

meaningful participation. I call on all

homes and communities. They suffer the

peacekeeping partners to recommit to

consequences of unpaid labor like caring

the women, peace, and security agenda.

for children.” Through numerous local

Let’s make it happen. Let’s summon the

partners, GNWP is striving to alleviate

political will.”

these stressors. “It is inspiring to see that in spite of a crisis of this magnitude,

Eleonore VeilletChowdhury ’01: Giving voice to girls One of many nonprofits advancing this effort is the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (GNWP), a coalition of over 100 women’s organizations from around the world, headquartered in New York City. Eleanore VeilletChowdhury ’01 joined the GNWP International Coordinating team in 2011, and currently serves as a global consultant and senior program advisor. Based in Baltimore, she guides the development, grantmaking, and implementation of programs that foster women and youth peacebuilders in conflictaffected countries such as Indonesia, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Afghanistan. Veillet-Chowdhury agrees that COVID-19 has intensified the urgency of GNWP’s mission and the struggle for women’s equality around the globe. “Any time there is a conflict or emergency, women and

our partners were still able to mobilize to support their communities,” she says. Looking back on her career to date, Veillet-Chowdhury notes that her interest in human rights, and women’s rights in particular, “was always there. I grew up in a diverse community with lots of immigrants. My mom is a feminist, and she taught us to be strong and independent.” Her years

at HPA played a role as well: “It was my introduction to a bunch of other cultures and other languages. It opened up the world for me,” she explains. Although English was not her first language, at HPA Veillet-Chowdhury gravitated toward literature, and she ultimately earned a PhD in peace and conflict resolution in 20th and 21st century fiction. “I sought out peace and justice in literature because there are some issues that people might not be able to talk about without using the cover of fiction: racism, colonialism, or sexual violence, for example,” she says. After she defended her thesis, however, she was drawn to more handson activism. “It became obvious that, for me, my work needed to go beyond literature.” Before stepping into her current role at GNWP, she spent two years working at the Domestic Violence Action Center in Honolulu. “That work is so near to my heart, with a lot of overlap with the work I do today,” she says. “Domestic abuse is a huge piece of the COVID fallout, and we see it in every country.”

Abigail (Ross) Ruane ’98: Amplifying women’s leadership for peace Like Veillet-Chowdhury, Ruane has long

Young Women Leaders for Peace Established by the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders, the Young Women Leaders for Peace program (YWL) empowers young women and girls to act for peace and to build leadership, literacy, and independence for themselves and their communities. Since 2014, when the program was launched in the Democratic Republic of Congo, more than 6,000 young women from Afghanistan to Indonesia have benefitted from the program.

director at the Women's International

Last year, UN Secretary-General António Guterres recognized the contributions of YWL for organizing interreligious dialogues and building local ownership of a new law in the Philippines, noting, “When young people are meaningfully included in all phases of the peace process, the benefits are clear.”

League for Peace and Freedom, and

Photos courtesy of GNWP

been a fighter for gender equality. Her career encompasses being an adjunct professor at Hunter College, program

now a political affairs officer at the

United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, as well as volunteer activism including the Occupy Wall Street movement. Through all these roles, Ruane has tenaciously pursued change by building alliances between institutional "insiders” and social movement “outsiders” for systems change. Contributing to the global movement for women’s rights is, so far, her life’s work. “The global feminist movement is amazing—full of brilliant, kind, hilarious, and incredibly hard-working women, men, and nonbinary people who are trying to make the world a better place,” she says. “Changing the world for women means changing the world for marginalized people everywhere.” Ruane grew up in Kona, was homeschooled, and attended Konawaena High School before arriving at HPA. She traces her inclination for activism to early childhood: “When I was three, my dad read a Bible verse that said, ‘Blessed are the sons of God,’ and I asked about the daughters. I’ve always had a feminist curiosity.” After she graduated from HPA, Ruane went on to earn an MA and PhD in international relations at the University of Southern California. She wrote an introductory international relations textbook based on The Lord of the Rings, and had two children—all by age thirty. Now at the UN, she is part of the Gender, Peace, and Security Unit where her work, in a nutshell, opens doors for women to become part of interna-

22 // S P R IN G/ S UMME R 2 0 21

Abigail Ruane at the Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations (Photo: Nate Hamlin, State of Mind Media)

tional peace processes and ensure that

ed what was always in need of repair.

outcomes address women’s lives. The

“Before the pandemic, the world was

work is centered around strengthening

not working for most people,” she says.

women’s participation, protection, and

“Now is the time to recognize that

rights. Situations in Colombia, Liberia,

we can’t go back to what was before.

Somalia, and Northern Ireland (among

Instead, it is time to set things right by

others) have generated best practices

listening to global calls of social justice

and point the way toward wider inclu-

movements to design our world based

sion of women into peace processes, as

on justice for people and planet.”

well as post-conflict transitions. “Too

With two children, a “phenomenal”

often, it’s men with guns at the table

husband, and supportive nearby family

while women are excluded or sidelined,

and friends, Ruane is grateful for the

but women need to have a role,” she

help and encouragement she’s received

explains. “Women have the right to par-

as she pursues her passion to overcome

ticipate. We’ve also learned that peace

obstacles to women’s rights and create

agreements are more sustainable when

a more just world. Gordon Bryson, her

women are meaningfully involved.”

English teacher at HPA, even reached

From Ruane’s perspective, the COVID-19 pandemic has illuminat-

out to Ruane during the #MeToo movement and encouraged her to run

UN Photo/Rick Bajornas, Iraq

UN Photo/Iason Foounten, Libya

UN Photo/Hien Macline, Côte d'Ivoire

for office. “That’s the kind of teacher he was,” she says. “He expected great things from his HPA students, and he got them to expect more of themselves.” (As it turns out, Bryson and his wife also live near Veillet-Chowdhury. They’ve reconnected, and she has even joined the Brysons’ book club.) Inspired by teachers like Gordon Bryson and many others; steeped in the wide perspective of global feminist movements, Ruane looks toward the future with a blend of realism and hope. “Change is always impossible until it happens,” she says of movements for social justice. “What can we each do to be a part of the change we want to see? If everyone does something, change will happen.”

UN Photo/Albert Gonzalez Farran, Sudan

•

BRAIN POWER STUDENTS HELP LEAD HPA TOWARD 100% RENEWABLE ENERGY

It can sometimes be easy to overlook that a school community—even one situated under a tropical sun, with steady trade winds and an island ethos—requires a great deal of energy to sustain regular operations. Every day, HPA’s two campus communities use hundreds of kilowatt hours to power everything from kitchen appliances to WiFi and support the needs of nearly 200 campus residents. HPA’s energy use, though perhaps modest compared to schools that were not built to take advantage of trade winds and a tropical climate, are nonetheless significant. The school is expressly committed to achieving 100% renewable energy within the next 10 years. Thanks to a generous crop of curious and innovative students, a bit of elbow grease, and philanthropic friends, the school is on its way.

24 // S P R IN G/ S UMME R 2 0 21

ZEROING IN ON A BETTER GRID

of the most interesting ideas he’s come across in his

The electrical grid that services our cities, institutions,

a network of independent, decentralized storage and

and homes is perhaps one of the most important

generation sites, such as batteries for solar PV on homes.

and least understood of all the systems on which we

Barrick explains: “By tying these units into the grid, the

collectively rely. But this complexity is no deterrent to

grid gains a measure of stability. Batteries, for example,

Nicholas Barrick ’21, who is tackling not only the grid but

can absorb excess production, and simultaneously

also another topic too confounding for most: tax policy.

disperse power to areas where demand is high. There are

“The law that I am seeking to modify is the personal and

already plans to create a virtual power plant within the

corporate solar and wind energy tax credit,” Barrick

islands, and I believe my policy will be able to incentivize

explains. Using the platform of his Global Politics and

the infrastructure required to expand and improve the

Policy Implementation capstone course with Eric

system in the future.”

Mumau, Barrick is writing a provision to an existing

research to date is the concept of a “virtual power plant,”

At HPA, the right battery systems could be a game-

tax credit that, if successful, would incentivize the

changer. Photovoltaic (PV) arrays across campus collect

installation of battery systems in Hawai‘i.

more solar energy than the school can use throughout

Barrick didn’t initially set out to zero in on battery

the day, but production has a narrower window than

storage—he wanted to find a way to reduce Hawai‘i’s

hours of use. In other words: the school still needs power

dependence on fossil fuel imports, but such a broad goal

long after the sun sets.

required innovative thinking. “Stabilizing Hawai‘i’s

In order to reach 100% renewable energy, HPA will

grid with increased storage capacity is just one area of

need to purchase battery systems capable of storing

focus under a very large umbrella,” he explains. One

more solar power. At an estimated cost of $1 million, this

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Data drawn from HPA's monitoring system illustrates energy use (green) overlaid with solar production (red) on a typical day. HPA must draw from non-renewable sources in order to power early morning and evening needs.

will only be possible through partnership with generous donors, and the school is currently seeking philanthropic support. Currently, 18% of HPA’s power comes from solar energy. “But it’s definitely attainable to get to 100% renewable by 2030,” Greg McKenna, HPA’s sustainability resource director, says. It will be a challenge, he admits—the school will need to replace propane heating as well as fuel for campus machinery and transportation—but with a collection of PV panels already up and running and extremely robust monitoring in place, HPA is further along than most. “HPA is pretty unique,” McKenna says. “There aren’t a lot of boarding schools that are doing such intense electrical measurement.” Thanks to more than a year’s worth of legwork on McKenna’s part, HPA can now put its finger on exactly where its energy is going, where the energy drains are, and what the potential solutions are. “Even small, simple solutions add up; putting a timer on a hot water heater so that it doesn’t run at night can save more than $50 per year,” McKenna says. HPA’s two campuses are also now outfitted with 100% LED lighting, using one-fifth of the energy of standard bulbs. These kinds of reduction and efficiency measures are critical in the long run.

REAL DATA, SERIOUS LEARNING In addition to tackling the school’s electrical infrastructure and energy capacity with audits and engineers, HPA is also doing the real work of a school striving to be the best place in the world for young people to study sustainability. In the field of energy, where the school’s data is both reliable and ever-expanding, students can make a genuine impact on the landscape at HPA. Anuhea Elliott ’22 is one such student who is learning by doing. In her independent science research class with Dr. Bill Wiecking, Elliott is examining the overall efficiency of the PV array in the field behind the Energy Lab. Thanks to her data, the school knows precisely how efficient the panels are—even up to the hour. “I’m able to graph the maximum kilowatts per square meter to see how the panels are actually performing,” she explains. On average, this system produces about 600kWh per day during the time the sun is up. Elliott has plans to enrich her data by running experiments with the panels: cleaning half, and leaving half as they are to see how it impacts electrical output. “It has been such a cool collaboration to witness,” Wiecking says. When Elliott needed to know the optimum angle of the sun for panels to collect light, an astronomyfocused friend at the E-Lab, Will Yang ’21, worked with her to figure it out. They discovered that the sun is perfectly positioned for PV panels in Hawai‘i on September 7, and were able to extrapolate from there. “At HPA, you can give someone a problem they’ve never seen, and they say, ‘Ok! I’ll figure it out,’” Wiecking marvels. “It’s the best gift we can give them. We don’t know how else to prepare them for the challenges they’ll meet. When we give them access to real data, they invent with it. It’s pretty exciting to watch.” Alec Eyckeler ’21 (pictured on page 25) is also running a substantial energy experiment. In Agriculture and Design taught by Willie Quayle, Eyckeler set out to explore irrigation models for HPA’s orchard. Over time, his project morphed into a different water-based design with implications for power: pumped-storage hydropower.

28 // S P R IN G/ S UMME R 2 0 21

ELLIOTT IS EXAMINING THE OVERALL EFFICIENCY OF THE PV ARRAY IN THE FIELD BEHIND THE ENERGY LAB. THANKS TO HER DATA, THE SCHOOL KNOWS PRECISELY HOW EFFICIENT THE PANELS ARE—EVEN UP TO THE HOUR.

This energy storage system helps to capture excess

to discover where water pipes were leaking on

solar without the use of batteries. PV panels attached

campus in an effort to help conserve water.

to a pump push water from a low reservoir to a higher-

Jessi Sohriakoff ’21 is tackling textile waste with a

altitude reservoir at times when the sun is high and

capstone project dedicated to upcycling used clothing

electricity use is low. The water stored in the higher

into new face masks. Eighth grader Andrew Sebastian

reservoir can then be tapped when extra electricity

’25 is creating a website cataloguing the organisms

is needed—using the force of gravity as water runs

of West Hawai‘i's coral reef system; Kristin Tarnas’

downhill, turning turbines that generate power along

fifth grade students observe and manage a classroom

the way.

beehive; and on any given day, students at both the

HPA’s orchard, with approximately 100 feet

Village Campus and the Upper Campus may be

elevation from top to bottom, is an ideal spot to pilot

knee-deep in a kalo crop, or deeply immersed in class

this technology. If successful, Eyckeler’s project will

discussions on the sacred nature and importance of

provide the equivalent of 16 car batteries worth of

water in Hawai‘i through ancient chants and mele. While this kind of teaching and learning might

storage for the garden, allowing for the expansion of WiFi to the outdoor classroom, and charging electric

seem magical, it is actually part of an intentional and

tools and other equipment.

rigorous curriculum design, with extremely dedicated teachers and mentors working in concert with each

EMPOWERED LEADERS, ENGAGED CITIZENS

other and with the school. The highest goal of the HPA

Beyond energy, HPA students are exploring many

of young people who will advocate for change and find

other environmental challenges and aspects of

solutions to the planet’s toughest problems. That’s

regenerative sustainability, whether through

a tall order, but day by day, HPA students exhibit

individual capstone projects or collaborative

remarkable ingenuity, expanding their ideas about

classroom learning. Last year, Ethan Goore ’21 and

what is possible—here on HPA's campus and in the

Cade Arafiles ’21 used a heat-sensing drone

larger world. •

Sustainability Plan is to raise up the next generation

Philanthropy Powers Progress HPA is seeking philanthropists and champions who are interested in helping to move the school’s sustainability vision forward. If you are interested, please reach out to Hannah Hind Candelario ’01, director of advancement, at hcandelario@hpa.edu.

KA MAKANI

PRIDE

Power in the Pool FOR THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO DON A KA MAKANI SWIM CAP AND GOGGLES, SWIMMING IS MORE THAN A SPORT, IT BECOMES A LIFESTYLE—WITH LESSONS AND HABITS LEARNED EXTENDING FAR BEYOND THE POOL.

Led by head coach Mark Noetzel and his committed staff, the HPA swim program has not only produced outstanding results—most recently sweeping the boys and girls team titles in 2020—but has also helped multiple swimmers pursue college opportunities. Kaden Parker ’21 and Tadeas Neliba ’21 are the latest Ka Makani to ink deals to swim at the college level this year. Parker is heading to Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), while Neliba will swim at Salem International University. “I loved pretty much every minute of it,” Parker said, reflecting on his time in the pool at HPA. “There

30 // S P R IN G/ S UMME R 2 0 21

were times when I didn’t want to show up when I was tired or hurting, but Coach Mark pushes you and really wants you to get better and succeed.” Parker and Neliba will have plenty of company at the college level, including former HPA standout Karly Noetzel ’18, Noetzel’s daughter, who is currently a junior at Denison University in Ohio. She says nothing can fully prepare a swimmer for college competition, but HPA does a good job setting you up for success. “You learn about the level of commitment you need to reach your goals and how to accomplish hard things,” she says, before adding a bit of advice for up-and-coming

athletes. “I think the most important thing is continuing to have fun with it and embracing the moment. I made lasting memories I’ll never forget.” It’s not easy to churn out championships at such a consistent clip, but Mark Noetzel is a master motivator and a connoisseur of classic quotes. One team mantra is the Stonecutter's Credo, a quote from 19th-century journalist and social reformer Jacob Riis: “When nothing seems to help, I go and look at a stonecutter hammering away at his rock perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred and first blow, it will split in two, and I know it was not that blow that did it,

KA MAKANI PRIDE

but all that had gone before.” As Noetzel puts it, the swimmer works patiently for the opportunity when all the hard work will result in a well-deserved finish time. But motivational quotes can only go so far. Consistency is key in the pursuit of speed in the pool, and keeping swimmers in the water year-round is a big part of the team’s success. The majority of HPA swimmers also participate in the independent Academy Swim Club, which Noetzel started in 1993. “The high school program only lasts a fraction of the year, where the age-group program goes yearround and has extended levels of competition for all ability levels,”

Mark Noetzel says. “Having studentathletes coming into the program from all parts of the islands and globe has been advantageous as well. The swimmers are able to meet others who share the same passion for excelling in the water, and they form friendships for a lifetime.” While interscholastic competition was largely put on hold this year, HPA swimmers were able to compete in smaller meets hosted at HPA's Dowsett Pool and at the Kamehameha-Hawai‘i campus during the winter season. As their high school athletic careers come to a close, HPA wishes all its scholar-athletes the best of luck with the next challenge—as students, competitors, and Ka Makani for life! •

RECENT HPA SWIMMING TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS Boys BIIF: 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015 State: 2011, 1998 Girls BIIF: 2020, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 State runner-up: 2017, 2016 CURRENT COLLEGIATE SWIMMERS FROM HPA • Taylor Doherty ’17 (San Diego) • Frederik Moeller ’17 (Wingate) • Karly Noetzel ’18 (Denison) • Kira Parker ’18 (UVM) • Maile Lawson ’19 (USC) • Ryanne Doherty ’20 (Chapman) • Brock Imonen ’20 (Arizona State) • Kaden Parker ’21 (IUPUI) • Tadeas Neliba '21 (Salem International)

KA MAKANI PRIDE

KEEP IT

MOVING HPA STUDENTS STAY ACTIVE IN THE TIME OF COVID

There haven’t been any roaring crowds, packed gyms, or last-second buzzer-beaters lately on HPA’s Upper Campus, but Ka Makani remained in motion this year. At a time when any sense of normalcy was welcome, students at every level were able to safely break a sweat, remaining active and focused on their future goals, both on and off the field. 32 // S P R IN G/ S UMME R 2 0 21

KA MAKANI PRIDE

For Upper School student-athletes, Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) competition has been scrapped since last spring. However, an array of cocurricular options kept students in shape and helped to lower stress, with activities ranging from horseback riding, CrossFit and yoga, to football, soccer, and swimming. Interscholastic competition has been sorely missed by many student-athletes—especially seniors—but creative solutions helped bridge the gap, just a little. For example, the cross-country team organized an HPA-only senior meet during the fall semester as a way to celebrate those who were unable to compete on the BIIF stage one last time. “It was very emotional,” Bella Police ’21 says. “Having the validation that your hard work is seen by others is such a big part of senior games, races, and meets. We received lei and it felt very validating. It was the closure I needed as a dedicated athlete at this school.” More creative solutions came to fruition during winter term, with HPA competing in soccer, basketball, cross country, swimming, and diving against other Big Island private schools and local club teams. The same continued in the spring, with track and field, water polo, golf, baseball, softball, volleyball, and tennis. Athletes were tested weekly thanks to a generous donation of rapid tests by the Hilo Bay Clinic. Police spent her winter season practicing with the soccer team, which would have been competing for an eighth consecutive state title this year. “A sense of normalcy has been very comforting in such an unprecedented time,” she says. “I have been so grateful for the opportunity our school has given us and am so happy we have been able to stay active in a safe way.” As HPA’s resident strength and conditioning coach, Kumu Ka’ai Spencer has worked with a bevy of Ka Makani athletes during his tenure. When the pandemic hit, he found a way to adapt, setting up workouts on the app TeamBuildr.

Students—and their families—could take part in mostly bodyweight workouts. Even after in-person learning came back, one-on-one training remained less frequent. Yet Spencer—who is also the head track and field coach—still found ways to guide and motivate his student-athletes in the limited time available. “I tell them: enjoy the journey and embrace the suck,” Spencer says, in the context that sometimes the hardest tasks are the most gratifying. “It’s all about having fun and doing the simple things incredibly well. We are trying our best to be masters of basics so we can use the time we have to train hard and prepare ourselves for any competition we may have down the road.” Younger students have also stayed active on the Village Campus during PE class, which has taken on even greater importance this year with students spending longer stretches in one classroom, as class schedules adapted to the pandemic. As Lower School PE teacher Betsy Tranquilli puts it, kids need quality physical activity to maintain their ability to learn their best. “PE looks very different this year, with more physical distance, sanitizing protocols and masks, but the kids have handled it beautifully,” Tranquilli says. “Bodies are meant to be active and I know they appreciate the chance to move, learn, and develop social-emotional skills in physical education class.” •

Keakamahana Maielua '31 and Tioni Judd '62 were filmed in Davies Memorial Chapel for HPA's Alu Mai 2020. To hear Hole Waimea and watch them in action, visit hpa.edu/alu-mai/

34 // S P R IN G/ S UMME R 2 0 21

Alumni News, Class Notes, Events, Giving and More

A MESSAGE FROM BONNIE BOGUE WEDEMEYER ’86

Bonds of Gratitude and Aloha This last summer, I was honored to join HPA’s board of trustees. This new layer of connection for me to HPA is one of significant meaning. To give back to HPA as an alumna is of great importance for me personally. My mom was a longtime teacher and administrator at HPA, and my four sisters and I grew up in Waimea enveloped by the school community as faculty kids. That beginning at HPA set the framework for later educational and professional achievements for all the “Bogue” girls. I am forever grateful for the foundation provided by the school to myself and those I love.

Bonnie Bogue Wedemeyer ’86 (left) lives on O‘ahu with her family and is now executive vice president of sales and strategy for Ward Village by the Howard Hughes Corporation. She joined HPA’s board of trustees in 2020.

In addition to a great education, when I think of HPA and Waimea and

As much nostalgia as I have for the school, I feel

being Ka Makani, I think of the personal character

equally excited and optimistic about where we are

development well-described by Vladimir Ossipoff at

today and in looking into our future. HPA is moving

the original opening of Davies Memorial Chapel. He

toward important, inspirational goals for student-

identified the values of simplicity, directness, strength,

driven learning, environmental sustainability, and

and honesty as being at the core of student life and

financial aid so that our school can remain a welcoming

therefore his chapel design at HPA. I have often

place for all. As Ka Makani, we are part of this story,

reflected on those values and how fortunate we all were

this journey forward. We are so fortunate to be

to learn and grow up on those windswept hills in such a

connected together in this way, with bonds of gratitude

special place.

and aloha.

36 // S P R IN G/ S UMME R 2 0 21

Tapping the Ka Makani Network YOUNG ALUMS SHARE THEIR PERSPECTIVE ON LIFE AND WORK AFTER HPA There’s no shortage of talent within the HPA alumni body, as exemplified by five young graduates who shared their career experience with fellow Ka Makani and current HPA students via Zoom earlier this year. Across multiple professions, each spoke to how HPA provided an arena to develop their skills, as well as friendships that remain vital today. The full Zoom session is available at https://www.hpa.edu/tapping-the-ka-makani-network. Many thanks to the amazing alums who generated such a worthwhile conversation for our ’ohana!

Leala Humbert ’03 recently took over her mother’s 30-year-old skincare company, now known as Ua Body Skincare. Devoted to local ingredients, Ua Body prioritizes sustainable business practices in an industry where that is not usually the case. (See page 14 for more details!)

Morgan Monahan ’14 is a creative strategist at MOCEAN where she helps conceive strategicallyled digital and social marketing campaigns for clients such as Netflix, Hulu, Facebook Watch, Cazcanes Tequila, Tyson Ranch, and Fox.

After earning a BA in symbolic systems and an MA in computer science from Stanford University, Luigi Sambuy ’14 now works as a solutions engineer for Plaid, a financial technology startup in New York City.

“According to the theory of “loose ties,” the most influential people will be just outside your direct circle. … It’s the friend of a friend who sparks an idea or puts you in touch with the place you get your next job. So stay open and really vocalize what you are curious and Hannah Twigg-Smith ’14 is a third-year graduate student at the University of Washington pursuing a PhD in human-computer interaction and focusing specifically on new ways to program machines for automation and fabrication.

passionate about. … If you really want to work with someone, just keep putting those feelers out, and something is going to hit.” —Morgan Monahan ’14

With a diverse background in the maritime industry, Ryan Salmon ’03 is passionate about inspiring the next generation of mariners. He works for Young Brothers LLC as captain of the assist tug, Moana, and is the youngest operator in the fleet!

CLASS NOTES

Class Notes 60s:

makes stained glass pieces in his spare time.

because they like what they do, worked from

Lee has been married for 55 years and his

home, had no meetings (except on Zoom),

daughter is a Major/Doctor in the Army, and

enhanced their computer skills, and received

his son works in Phoenix, AZ. He writes that

lots of emails. Those in the tourist business

he hasn’t been back to Hawai‘i since 2002.

and retail took hits, but our brethren con-

Bruce “Monty” Brown ’65 reports that he and his wife are “blessed with three grand-

tinued. All in all, we all survived, and should continue doing so. Happy 2021.”

70s:

Harry Achilles ’60 took the COVID crisis

children with everyone now back living on

opportunity to retire fully from teaching and

Hawai‘i Island.” Jim Dahlberg ’65 enjoyed

move to Grapevine, TX to be with his daughter

his Christmas and New Year at home in "The

and near family. He writes that he commutes

Land of Smiles." Jim Klopp ’65 writes, “all

great opportunities to us, each of my children

bi-monthly to Alexandria, VA to be with his

pretty good here considering age! LOL I had

and their kids making me feel almost as old

son, daughter-in-law, and mo'opuna Henry.

a minor stroke and have minor vertigo. Karen

as Ripper. The move to the remote part of the

“Despite the ills and pills of age, I still enjoy

just had carotid artery surgery and another

North Shore of ‘Oahu full-time has brought

the fun of flying and seeing new places.

to come. Having some teeth pulled and posts

much satisfaction, and I remain in love and

My main goal now, before age puts ‘pau’ to

put in for dentures... Yikes! Maybe everything

grateful.”

traveling, is to take my family on a tour of all

isn't good?? But it is what it is!”

the island sights, sounds, and tastes I grew

Greg Rand ’72 reports that “2020 brought

Denice Mugg Sheffer ’72 writes: “2020...

Tom Sofos ’69 writes that members of the

What an eye-opener! This year we were all

up with. Hawaiian words are still a part of the

class of 1969 have handled the pandemic year

hoping for 20/20 vision. For clear sight in

family lexicon, and local "grinds" are weekly

in relatively good shape. “The retired ones

the future. What a surprise we received!

treats. Hawai‘i lives in many of us on the

learned better cooking techniques (the per-

Many illnesses, loss of jobs, burned out

mainland! Aloha nui from this old ku'aina.”

fect soft boiled egg: full boil for 5 minutes).

homes from the fires, and the feeling that

Lee Jette ’60 retired (for the second time)

Others went camping, did more gardening,

life isn't secure or hopeful any longer. Many

in 2005 after 45 years in telecommunications.

prepared for medical procedures, took care

of us turned against each other's political

He moved to Florida in 2016 from Virginia and

of sick spouses and aged parents or grand-

opinions. Daily riots downtown to support

is considering relocating to Washington state.

kids. Some took long cross country ski trips

people that we love without consideration of

He’s active in politics as the data manager for

and bicycle trips and played more golf (me).

the consequences or victims of that damage.

Democratic Party in Marion County, FL, and

The working ones, who continued to work

(continued on page 41)

Since graduating from Wagner College in Staten Island, NY in 2018, Kimi

Cantyne ’14 moved

back to Hawai‘i Island and started working as an RN in the Hilo Medical Center emergency department. “I picked up roller skating five months into the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to clear my mind, cope with stress and anxiety, and to force myself to get outside and move! I have skated every day since August 25, 2020 and plan to continue the streak for an entire year.”

38 // S P R IN G/ S UMME R 2 0 21

CLASS NOTES

1. Alia Cabrera-Zuke ’94 and her ‘ohana with new baby girl, Alima. (Photo: Natalia Mastrascusa)

6. Conor Hunt ’20 made the move to Washington, D.C. for classes at Georgetown University.

2. Jennifer Bushnell Murtola ’05 and her family.

7. Renee Brendel-Konrad ’82 and her boys, Kalei ’10 and Kamea ’19 doing a "stay at home" workout.

3. Harry Achilles ’60 with his son and grandson. 4. Teresa Fister ’78 sends aloha from Chicago. 5. Dick O’Donnell ’69 and his wife, Bebe.

8. Christy Payne ’05 with her husband and son, Miles. 9. 1984 classmates Kristin Piltz, Alan Winters, Derek Wilson, and Chris Ka‘au‘a

PHILANTHROPY

Community grants bring garden interns to HPA

Thanks to generous grants from the Hawai‘i Community Foundation, the WHH Foundation, and HPA’s James M. Greenwell Endowment for Service Learning, HPA had two garden interns serving as community food outreach coordinators this year. Annika Berezney ’19 (left) and Miki Nakano have been assisting HPA garden educators Willie Quayle and Kim Narol with operations and outreach while gaining career experience in regenerative agriculture. Since early 2020, HPA’s two campus gardens have donated approximately 60 pounds of fresh food per week to community partners such as the St. James community meal. The COVID-19 pandemic has only increased demand. Berezney and Nakano are helping to ensure that student learning in the garden—and service to community— continue to thrive during this important time. •

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CLASS NOTES

Ann Donnelly ’79 is doing well in Chicago.

(continued from page 38)

lived in Park Slope, Brooklyn for 30 years

It has been a rough year. But it has also been

in a beautiful brownstone. I collect and play

Jennifer Solmssen ’79 retired in December

a glorious year. We have been able to Skype

several instruments, play several genres in

2020 from work at a behavioral health

or video message our friends and family. We

several bands, and most of my present time

software company. “I am now enjoying

have been able to help our neighbors and

is playing music.”

full-time pursuit of my outdoor passions

watch over our extended family or friends.

Sheila Crosby Powell ’77 wrote with a sad

including kiteboarding, surfing, SUP down

We are warm, well, and believe that the 'new

update for the Class of ’77. “I was informed

winding, biking, and hiking. My wife Glenise

normal' will be a good normal. Eyes open.

that Kaipo Young passed away recently.

and I have lived in Portland, OR for about

Doing unto others as we would have them do

Our hearts are heavy at the loss of another

six years now and are loving the access to a

for us, saying ‘I love you’ when we can and

friend and classmate. I do keep in touch with

wonderful variety of outdoor pursuits. We are

paying it forward with our time and efforts

many classmates on Facebook. I received

looking forward to a more compassionate

to others that need help. We pray for your

a Christmas card from Tom Unger. He and

and progressive 2021!”

friends and family to be happy, healthy, and

his wife Patty are still in Boise, ID and doing

Mike Donnelly ’83 passes along notes

prosperous.”

well. I also heard from Kim and Jerry Takata

for the class of ’83: “Aloha from chilly and

Rip “JR” Westmoreland ’72 wrote in

over the Christmas holiday, and they are still

breezy Waimea! The holidays here were a bit

with memories of his time at HPA, as well

living the good life on the Big Island. McGrew

different than in past years mostly due to the

as an update, saying: “I loved my year at

Rice is still a sport fishing captain, and his

pandemic. However, with virtual technology,

HPA. I loved James Taylor… known as Bird,

wife Jennifer is a realtor in Kona. Paula

the class of ’83 held its first online holiday

the headmaster. I loved the rain forest, all

Crumpacker Fisher and her husband live in

reunion and vowed to continue their strong

my teachers… and our senior class, class

Bend, OR, and Paula has two grandchildren.

tradition of get-togethers. Donna Mailhot

of 1968 were simply wonderful. I have kept

I am still living in Scottsdale, AZ with my

recently graduated with her MBA from Notre

in touch with Jack Tobin ’68, who lives in

husband, and working from home, like so

Dame de Namur. Alex Santos in New Jersey

France and whom I have been trying to

many these days. My two daughters live in

is making the best of the pandemic and

visit for some time... je connais assez bien la

Northern California and New York. I hope

weathering the cold of the northeast. Amy

langue e le pays. I have had the year 1972 plus

everyone is healthy and well.”

Loughridge Shimaoka wished the class a

50 in my head for years. Today, I am a solo

Teresa Fister ’78 writes, “Greetings from

Mele Kalikimaka from the 9th Island (Las

practitioner attorney in NYC, semi-retired

Chicago to all Ka Makani Friends. We are

Vegas) in 30-degree weather. Merry

and trying to be more retired. I live and have

with you in spirit.”

(continued on page 44)

Yerden Suraganov ’18 is currently in his second year of medical school, and recently launched a new project in Almaty, Kazakhstan called LEILANI. His goal is to create a chain of small health bar cafes where there will be wellness shots, organic coffee, local herbal teas, and more. Yerden’s family, including his sister Alina

Sabyr ’15 are helping to

bring the idea to life. “My mother and I found a garage by the river, along a very popular route for walking and outdoor activities, and have spent the last couple of months installing plumbing, light, heat and planning out the details. I really hope to share the spirit of Hawai‘i here in Almaty that I got to experience at HPA and on the Big Island. My goal is to create not only a place where each person can enjoy delicious healthy products, but also where they can feel the loving and welcoming atmosphere of aloha.”

ALUMNI NEWS

Leading the Charge Sienna Rogers ’94 helps bring cleaner energy to California

Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) is one of the largest utilities in the United States, serving 1 in 20 Americans. In 2019, the company filed for bankruptcy following liability for two devastating wildfires in northern California. They emerged from bankruptcy last year, and now Sienna Rogers ’94 is helping the publicly-traded utility regain strength. As director of corporate development and economic analytics, she navigates the complex landscape of energy, climate change, regulations, and consumer demand.

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ALUMNI NEWS

“

Growing up in Hawai‘i and being so connected to the outdoors gave me an appreciation for nature and its fragility. At HPA, I learned civicmindedness: the sense that we can each contribute something.

When Sienna Rogers joined PG&E 15 years ago, she was tasked with developing and implementing a carbon market. “How do you regulate the market? How do you set it up? What’s the point of it? I learned the energy and utility industry that way,” she recalls. At the time of her arrival, California had just passed AB32, also called the Global Warming Solutions Act, which required the state to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, representing a 30% reduction compared to business as usual. Rogers helped shape the policies to

”

achieve this goal, while simultaneously creating a roadmap for other government entities. “California is something of a bellwether for the rest of the country. We tend to see early policy that then spreads to other states.” she explains. Today, PG&E has one of the cleanest electricity portfolios in the country, and under current state law, it must continue to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 40% below 1990 levels by 2030. Meanwhile, the effects of climate change in northern and central California require increasingly creative solutions. “PG&E owns 125,000 miles of power lines,” Rogers explains. “We spend more than $7 billion per year on infrastructure, protecting the system from longer droughts, vulnerable trees, and investing in the reliability of the overall system. In addition to investing in a safer system, we also need to drive investment in the grid to make it more resilient, and to be able to accommodate more renewables.” If she had a magic wand? “There are enabling technologies that are nascent now, but would be helpful to have, like green hydrogen production and some forms of carbon capture. To get to the end goal of being carbon neutral, we need to provide 100% clean power, and we will need to power even more than we are today.” (Like the transportation sector.) While solar and wind are a huge part of the solution, “customers expect to have power at all times and we need to find ways to efficiently store renewable energy for times when those resources aren’t available,” Rogers says. But all told, Rogers is hopeful. “We have the capability to find, develop and deploy the technologies we need. It’s a matter of cost and the political will to do it as quickly as we think we need to.” •

CLASS NOTES

zon. It's all about my wild travels growing up For two years, Lynn Oakley ’69 has worked closely with a German author writing a book about her former employer, Mangosuthu Buthelezi, head of the KwaZulu Government in South Africa. “I provided first hand primary source material from my years of living there, 1984-1994.” The book, in English, has just been published in Germany. The author, Aljoscha Tillmans, writes that Lynn “kindly opened her private collection and provided invaluable sources–including magnificent photographs–that could be found nowhere else." Lynn says that is a result of often being “in the room

homeschooled by my adventure photographer parents in the wildest places on earth, and my more recent adventures traveling the world with my pink surfboard and bikini made from recycled trash—all to highlight preserving cultures and protecting our greatest treasure on earth: our world waters! Growing up in a treehouse in South Kona it's really incredible to be able to combine my ‘world school’ knowledge with the structure and quality of where it happened.” The book is entitled Development for Liberation: MG Buthelezi’s and Inkatha’s initiatives towards a different South Africa, 19751994.

my HPA education and USC film school to make global waves of change through my films and book! All the chapters of my book have free 'education through entertainment' films on my Alison's Adventures Youtube! I direct, edit, produce, and host all my films not for profit, and it means the world that they

(continued from page 41)

Wilson joined up to talk-story, share photos

can inspire kids all across the world to pro-

Christmas wishes also from Sean McLane

of family and classmates, and catch up during

tect our ‘āina during these coconuts times!”

(Oregon), Malia Hall Maness (Colorado),

a time when seeing best buds can be difficult.

Manuata Martin (California), Nike Inoue

Festivities included at Winters Ranch

girl on January 25, 2020, and she writes

(Guam), Seonaid Uebelhardt (Idaho), Susan

Incorporated with a BBQ and a short visit by

that she has been loving motherhood! “The

Hansen (Texas), Gayla Munds Chalmers

classmate and neighbor John Whitman ’80.

90s:

holiday season as a first-time Mom was extra

(Georgia) and Tonia Nielson Brunson (Chicago), William Kua (Singapore), and Nicolas Bourlon (Alps of Savoie France). To 2021: stay Ka Makani Strong!” Kelley Miller ’84 is surviving the pandemic in Idaho. “I'm getting married to Ronnie Reid this summer and my daughter, Madisen, is graduating from Bowdoin College in Maine next year. Hoping to retire next year after 26 years as a veterinarian. Looking forward to our next reunion to see all my HPA ‘ohana.” Mini-reunions are what it's all about— particularly when you are in a COVID-19 setting. Less is better. In that spirit, members of the class of ’84 came together in Waimea recently (with token member of ’83 Mike Donnelly) and spent the day four-wheeling up Mana Road and taking time to absorb the fresh air, beautiful weather, and always strong friendships developed in the 1980s. In attendance were Kristen Piltz, Chris Ka‘au‘a, Alan Winters, and out-of-towner Derek

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Alia Cabrera-Zuke ’94 shares that their family “welcomed Kapi'inalimaakala on November 18, and she has been the most amazing blessing to our ‘ohana. Her two sisters and two brothers simply adore her.” Alana Cabatu ’96 is in her 20th year of teaching English. “Currently I teaching at Kamehameha Schools Hawai'i campus. In my free time I paddle canoe.”

00s:

Jennifer Bushnell Murtola ’05 had a baby

special.” Christy Cagampang Payne ’05 just started physical therapy school at Campbell University in Buies Creek, NC. In three years, she’ll be Dr. Payne. Christy is mom to 18-month-old Miles, and launched her own podcast (Growing Paynes) in 2020 about "empowering moms to stop the struggle through open conversation.” Michael Penner ’06 is living in Los Angeles. Starting in July, Steven Gaughan Philp ’06 will be the new Associate Rabbi at Mishkan Chicago. “I helped start Mishkan while a graduate student in 2011. It is now a thriving spiritual community that has

After receiving the title of the “Female Indi-

changed the landscape of contemporary

ana Jones” from Time magazine and diving

Judaism. My husband and I are excited to

into a Ted Talk, Alison Teal ’03 “just got the

return to the Midwest and reconnect with our

honor of being the first female author on a

friends there.”

kids book (great for homeschoolers) about

Christian Chares ’07 is happily married,

my adventures published by Ripleys (Simone

working as a software engineer for Apple in

and Schuster). Alison's Adventures: Your Pass-

Santa Clara, CA.

port To The World is now available on Ama-

(continued on page 46)

CLASS NOTES

9. Congratulations to Kelley Miller ’84 and Ronnie Reid, who are engaged to be married!

14. Jennifer Solmssen ’79 retired and is now enjoying a host of outdoor pursuits in Portland, OR.

10. Braden Kojima ’17 is heading to Colorado to earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy. Congratulations, Braden, and go Buffs!

15. Allison Waldbeser ’12 lives in South Lake Tahoe, CA, where she teaches yoga full time.

11. Denice Mugg Sheffer ’72 and her husband Marty at home in Oregon.

16. Bruce “Monty” ’65 and Kiki Brown and their daughters Maile ’00, Malia ’15, and Manoa ’12.

12. Chelsea Himalaya Purdy ’08 and Mana Purdy ’08 at beautiful Anna Ranch.

17. Rabbi Steven Philp ’06 leading services at the synagogue where he works.

13. Allison Teal ’03 published a new book. Congratulations, Allison!

18. Robby Hind ’66, Jim Kennedy ’66, and Michael Spalding ’66 at it again.

CLASS NOTES

(continued from page 44)

yoga company, Yoga With Al, and teaches

science and playing some baseball.” Taylor Doherty ’17 is studying

Amanda Lawrence Abdala ’08 writes,

independently online for her clients. Aside

“aloha longtime friends. Hoping everyone is

from her yoga classes, Allison hosts online

neuroscience and biomedical ethics and still

well and safe this 2020. Hope to bump into

meditation workshops and her most recent

swimming at USD.

you soon and catch up with a good chat. God

project involves facilitating a virtual weekend

bless and take care.”

retreat focusing on empowerment and

to the University of Colorado to earn a Doctor

connection. When she's not teaching, you can

of Physical Therapy, class of 2023.

Chelsea Himalaya Purdy ’08 shared a

Braden Kojima ’17 will be making his way

photo (see page 45) from a session that

find her snowboarding on Heavenly mountain

Mira Lin ’18 is currently living in Taiwan

she and Mana did “for our friend Dayna

or enjoying the beautiful Lake Tahoe nature!

and working on a few projects with her dad,

Wong's wedding company, Naupaka Events

If you want to follow Allison on social, check

though she is hoping to turn attention to

and Weddings, right here in beautiful

out @yoga.withal on IG!

making art.

Jessica Benioni Rios ’13 shares, “Aloha!

Kamuela Lindsey ’19 writes, “I am still in

wedding ceremony. Lots of fun and a great

As a proud Ka Makani alumni, I am thrilled

college with distance/hybrid learning when

experience!”

to announce I have recently gotten married,

permitted at Pālamanui Nui. Will be graduat-

graduated from Utah Valley University, and

ing 2022 with my degree in Fire Science.”

Waimea at Anna Ranch. A paniolo style

Russ Aguilar ’09 is completing his Masters

Conor Hunt ’20 reports from Washington,

in education and teaching 6th grade science

am a proud dog mom! My husband and I

in a high-needs middle school in San

recently moved back to Hawai‘i from the

DC: “Although the city has been wild lately,

Francisco. He enjoys cycling, photography,

mainland and are excited to start our new life

I mainly wanted to come to DC to connect

dance, and civil rights activism.

together back in beautiful Waimea.”

with my teammates and classmates who

After spending two years teaching high

are around in the area. It was also hard to

10s:

school math and computer science,

operate on East Coast time in Hawai‘i. I’m

Bo Bleckel ’14 has recently accepted a job

currently living in a studio in Roslyn, VA. It’s

After living in San Francisco for four years,

offer as a software developer in the Boston

a few minutes away from the riots that took

area.

place in January. The past few days, I’ve

Allison Waldbeser ’12, now lives in South Lake Tahoe, CA, where she is teaching yoga

Kanaikai Gaughen ’16 graduated in May

mainly been getting settled in my room and

full time and learning how to be a new dog

2020 with a BS in engineering from Missis-

getting ready for my second semester of on-

mom! Before the pandemic hit, Allison was

sippi Valley State University. “Now I am a

line classes.” Hikari Shaver ’20 just finished

a studio manager at CorePower Yoga in San

graduate transfer at Oklahoma Christian

her first semester in Boston at Northeastern

Francisco, but has now founded her own

University working on a Masters in computer

University!

Noa Walker ’17 and Asa Twigg-Smith ’17 are recording music together under the name Tourists on Earth, and have recently released a new album: Born Young. “We’re always writing music,” Asa says. “I’m in Seattle for school now and Noa is in Hilo. We constantly send each other stuff and record things for each other. Probably a fourth album in the works sometime soon; we just need to get together to record it.”

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TOGETHER FOR HPA.

Thriving because of YOU. This year required persistence, creativity, and patience from us all. Thanks to your support, learning at HPA flourished despite the challenges. This year and every year, your gift provides abundant inspiration and opportunities for growth—from the pool to the painting studio, in dorm rooms and SCUBA gear, and on every step of the capstone journey. During a normal year, tuition covers less than 80% of what it takes to deliver HPA programs. Generous gifts make our additional excellence possible. We are especially grateful to our donors during this time when many HPA families are facing financial challenges. When you give, every student benefits from your gift. Thank you for keeping HPA strong for all Ka Makani, today and always. Together for HPA! To give online, visit www.hpa.edu/give To mail your gift, use our address on the back cover. Thank you! If you have already made your gift, please accept our sincere thanks!

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Mahiki (also called Mud Lane) is located just east of Waimea and atop the cliffs that slope into Waipi‘o Valley. It is the wahi pana (legendary place) where Hi‘iaka was said to defeat the mo‘o leader, Mo'olau, because she was denied access to Waipi‘o. Mahiki is also known for being the place where the Kipu‘upu‘u warriors trained under the tutelage of Nanu‘uakalani‘ōpu‘u, made their spears using wood harvested from the Mahiki forests, and composed Hole Waimea in honor of Kamehameha I.

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED 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

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