Ma Ke Kula - Spring/Summer 2023

Ma Ke Kula

HAWAI‘I PREPARATORY ACADEMY MAGAZINE : SPRING | SUMMER 2023

DR. JOHANNA ANTON AND HPA JOIN THE ‘ĀINA-INFORMATICS NETWORK

JASON FUJIMOTO ’98 AT THE HELM OF HPM BUILDING SUPPLY ALEX "MOUSE" SMITH ’62 RECOMMENDS ADVENTURE FOR LIFE

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: Sarah Anderson P’03, ’05 Back cover photo: William Schulhof ’23

FRED WAWNER / HEAD OF SCHOOL

Building on progress: Vision 2049

Back in 2015, I had the privilege of working with my fellow HPA leaders, including then-Head of School Lindsay Barnes, on a new vision statement and strategic plan for HPA. Looking back on that effort, I clearly remember how excited and inspired we were about the new educational programs we envisioned. I also know we could not possibly imagine the growth that lay ahead—for our students and for ourselves as educators.

Fast forward to 2023, and I am amazed once again at the capstone showcase work presented by our fifth-, eighth-, and 12th-graders this past spring. Their poise was impressive, but above all, each demonstrated their ability to pursue independent research; receive and benefit from adult mentorship; and connect their learning to the needs of the larger community. I also take great pride in how their projects demonstrated our sustainability vision — Mālama Kaiāulu — in so many different ways.

Each day at HPA is so joyously crammed with learning and activity, it can be difficult to stand back and see the big picture. But whenever I do, I'm thrilled to see the progress we've made. Four years ago, we were only just elevating our capstone program to be comprehensive across all three school divisions. Five years ago, we had no clear aspirations to become a leader in sustainability education. Today, HPA is thriving in both arenas, and we are just getting started.

HPA Board of Trustees 2022-23

Laurie T. Ainslie P’12, ’15

Robert R. Budway ’76, chair

Michael J. Chun

Warren Doi P’22

Allison Holt Gendreau P’08

Building on our progress, we just announced a new vision statement for HPA. Named with our 100th anniversary in mind, Vision 2049 expands our current aspirations: “Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy will be the premier educational community committed to living and learning sustainably.” With our declaration, we set innovative goals; among them, a campus master plan that will deliver our carbon net zero commitment and set global standards as a sustainability teaching laboratory.

I know the next five years will be filled with even more progress and ingenuity. While we celebrate big growth for our children today, I invite you to also imagine what HPA’s leadership contributions could be in 2049. How will we get there? By what we accomplish together—this year, next year, and the one after that.

Please join me in dreaming big for our school—stay tuned, spread the word, draw your fellow Ka Makani back into closer connection, and consider becoming a regular financial supporter. I look forward to sharing more news in the weeks ahead, AND for many years to come.

Nona Hasegawa ’78

Ana Yarawamai Hiyane ’00

Hans P. L'Orange III '73

Rob O’Donohue ’95

Samuel Pratt ’84

William D. Pratt ’86

Michael S. Spalding ’66

Maxwell Unger '04

Bonnie Bogue Wedemeyer ’86

HPA mourns the loss of Nona Frances Sumi Liliokalani Catherine Hasegawa, class of 1978, who passed away unexpectedly on January 21, 2023. Hasegawa was HPA’s first female student body president, and she served as a deeply dedicated and inspirational trustee of the school, beginning in September 2001 until her death. In her honor, a koai‘a tree was planted next to HPA’s star compass, Pānānā o Kainoa, shortly after her passing. A tribute will follow in the next issue of Ma Ke Kula

BEAUTY BEYOND PERFECTION

Students in Ali Marchildon’s Middle School ceramics class were inspired by the vibrant artwork of Kimmy Cantrell and proudly created their own unique masks to celebrate diversity and honor Black History Month.

Cantrell is a self-taught artist residing in Atlanta whose work features ever-evolving variations on several recurring themes: faces, still lives, nudes, and fish. Cantrell’s ceramic faces use asymmetry to push the boundaries around traditional definitions of beauty. “I want to show the beauty within flaws,” he explains.

“Imperfections tell stories that are far more compelling than perfection.”

Cantrell’s work was introduced during Black History Month to expand artistic exposure beyond the shores of Hawai‘i Island, and to inspire students through the story of a living artist who embraces the power, aesthetic, and history of his culture through clay.

Middle School ceramics students explored the design concepts of abstraction, asymmetry, exaggeration, and texture in their low relief sculptures, working to emulate Cantrell’s distinctive stylistic elements in both form and color. These young HPA artists presented their work at Assembly, and even created a video of their process and presentation, which they sent to Mr. Cantrell in gratitude for fueling their vision.

Lower School visitors celebrate the joy of reading

February 1 marked World Read Aloud Day across the country — a celebration of storytelling and the beautiful way sharing those moments bring people together. Our kindergarten class was in for a special treat when Head of School Fred Wawner (affectionately called our Fred of School!) dropped in with LeBron James’ book, I Promise. Wawner later shared, “It was a fun opportunity to experience their delight in learning. We had quite the debate about my role, with some in the class adamant that I’m the guy who opens their car doors in the morning and others convinced that I own the school!” Wawner wasn’t the only guest — from Middle School students to Upper School faculty and administrators, nearly a dozen readers with their favorite books descended upon Lower School classrooms to share their love for reading and “do all the voices!”

We Rallied for Our Track!

MAY DAY CHALLENGE SPRINTS PAST ITS GOAL

Mahalo to all the alumni, parents, students, staff, and community members who came together to make the 2023 May Day Challenge a success. You helped create a four-day extravaganza of celebration and giving, with shout-out films on social media, vintage photos, shared memories, and a total of $51,975 raised to help restore our beloved Stanford W. Shutes Track. Because you enabled us to meet the challenge, an anonymous donor made a special contribution of $20,000 to the effort. Thanks to you, we are #KaMakaniSTRONG!

Showcasing Hawai‘i’s Masterworks

In 2005, only one year after HPA opened the Isaacs Art Center (IAC), the Tennent Art Foundation in Honolulu made a bold decision: entrusting HPA and its newly opened art center to house the world’s largest intact body of work by renowned artist Madge Tennent. Tennent (1889-1972) was a classically trained painter and child prodigy who fueled the advent of Hawaiian Modernism. The Tennent Collection at HPA is extensive, consisting of over 100 artworks: 103 paintings and drawings, and one plaster of paris model for

her sculpture, “Striding Woman.” Of the 103, nearly 30 are large scale paintings in oil and gouache.

Lei Queen Fantasia is one of these: a colossal oil painting created from two canvases sewn together. “Artistic determination meets the challenge of limited material!” says IAC Director Mollie Hustace, describing the piece. “The compelling wahine wearing a white head lei is surrounded by her friends, her colleagues, a hui of lei makers, working independently while enjoying the

MOLLIE HUSTACE ON THE FUTURE OF MADGE TENNENT COLLECTION AND ISAACS ART CENTER

camaraderie of their artistic pursuit.” Hustace goes on: “Thematically, Madge captured the strength and grandeur of Hawaiian women and all women. Artistically, she composed a powerful scene… a circle of dynamic women built from curvilinear abstract shapes, whirling textures, and brilliant gem colors that all resolve at a distance.” It is, indeed, spectacular… a treasure among treasures.

Community Arts Program hosts hundreds of local students

While completing her interdisciplinary master’s of education at UH Mānoa, Mollie Hustace produced a master’s thesis focused on meeting national and state fine arts standards in a rural art gallery. The case study? Isaacs Art Center. Her thesis became the foundation for the center’s Community Arts Program, or CAP. The resoundingly popular CAP offers a museum-based arts education curriculum and shares the center’s collection with pre-K to grade 12 students from public and private schools throughout North and South Kohala.

Hustace, who holds a bevy of degrees from Stanford and UH Mānoa, has no shortage of ambition for Isaacs Art Center and its Tennent collection. She envisions a new book on Tennent and her contribution to 20th century modernism in Hawai‘i as well as her place in international art history; an IAC Annex to increase climate-controlled storage and add exhibition space; inclusion of Tennent artwork in larger museum exhibitions, particularly retrospectives of 20th century modernist art and art by women; possible capstone collaborations; a digital exhibition; and more.

And why not? The Tennent works constitute a remarkable and singular flagship collection, and the Isaacs Art Center also holds pieces by many other wellestablished artists of Hawai‘i, as well as a growing assemblage of work by contemporary artists and makers who honor and celebrate Hawai‘i through watercolors, kapa, koa, and other media. “Visitors are often stunned by what they find here,” Hustace says. “They recognize something quite special in the Tennent collection that one would normally see in a continental museum. But here we are in up-country Waimea!”

Isaacs Art Center is free and open to the public Monday through Friday, 10am to 4pm. •

Through CAP, which has historically been supported by local foundations including the Atherton Family Foundation and the Samuel N. and Mary Castle Foundation, IAC annually hosts hundreds of local students who learn about everything from perspective and pattern to symmetry and texture through the masterworks of Hawai‘i’s most renowned artists. •

“ Visitors are often stunned by what they find here”

– MOLLIE HUSTACE

How about an uma match?

Makahiki tournaments have been revived at schools across Hawaiʻi, including at HPA’s Village Campus — where students in both the Lower and Middle Schools have participated each fall for the past 13 years. The Makahiki games and sports are a Native Hawaiian tradition that honors Lono, the god of peace and agriculture. As an offering and tribute, war and major work were put on hold, and instead everyone joined in athletic games like uma (arm wrestling) or moa pāheʻe (sliding dart) and hukihuki hoʻoikaika (tug of war).

Makahiki sporting events were well-designed to develop physical and mental strength — a tradition

that continues today at HPA with the full integration of Kumu Kūwalu Anakalea’s Hawaiian studies program and physical education coaches Betsy Tranquilli and Lydia Blackburn’s curriculum. (See page 30.) As part of HPA’s Wā Pilina program, eighth grade students referee the Lower School Makahiki games; and twelfth-graders referee the Middle School games. Each year, Ka Makani also continue to honor the traditions of Hawaiʻi by gathering donations for Makahiki food baskets that are shared with friends and family at Kanu o ka ʻĀina, a participating school in our annual Makahiki tournament. •

Make way for ducklings … in the Ulumau Garden

As an advocate and practitioner of natural and regenerative gardening, K-8 Garden Coordinator Lauren Prutow McKenna constantly challenges herself to think about ways her Ulumau Garden curriculum can best honor the land, her students, and our community. Under her guidance, the Village Campus now has an animal husbandry program. In the fall, McKenna and her students incubated, hatched, and raised Silver Appleyard ducks, which are currently listed as threatened livestock animals. McKenna’s new duck habitat was intentionally built surrounding fruit trees that needed a little love — which our feathered friends were happy to provide in the form of guano, an incredible natural fertilizer! The ducks also help with pest management. Above all, the animal husbandry program has furthered students' experience with more layered and meaningful learning opportunities that include how we best care for animals and each other. •

LIAM GRAYSON ’27 CREATES AN ORIGINAL PLAY FROM THE GROUND UP

There may be no better example of the excellence on display in HPA’s capstone program than 8th-grader Liam Grayson’s presentation in April. Grayson wrote, produced, cast, directed, and stagemanaged his own play, Our Oldest Enemy He even managed the setup and logistics, including bus transportation from the Village Campus to Gates Performing Arts Center for teachers and classmates.

Grayson says he wrote Our Oldest Enemy in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “I have seen that many people do not understand how to most effectively protect lives and happiness during an epidemic,” he explains, “largely because of great amounts of misinformation, and a general atmosphere of mistrust. I decided to create this play to show people that we can succeed in these kinds of circumstances if we trust science, trust each other, and work together to help everyone stay safe.” •

Designing a Dream

Avian Ku ’09 continues the family business by launching her own clothing brand

It’s no surprise that Avian Ku ’09 was drawn to the fashion industry. Thirty-five years ago, her mother, Loukie Wong, founded 88 Tees, a vintage-inspired storefront that has grown into a Waikiki destination. As a kid, she even inspired the store’s iconic graphic “Yaya,” seen on many designs. “I’ve always loved creating, and I have been influenced by my mom all these years. She is definitely my mentor, and my family gave me that gift,” Ku says.

During her time at HPA, Ku would help at the store during school breaks. After graduation, she attended the competitive Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) in LA. “FIDM really made me grow as a person, and after completing my associate degree I thought ‘Maybe it’s not enough to go home yet.’ My parents are from Taiwan and Hong Kong, and I grew up speaking Japanese and Mandarin, so I decided to go to Shanghai and get my business degree.”

After four years in China, Ku returned to Hawai‘i to visit family and consider her next move. It was then that a friend and casting director approached her with an opportunity to join Terrace House, a Japanese reality series planning to film in Hawai‘i. The show, then in its third season, has six strangers live together while each works toward a personal goal, such as art, modeling or, in Ku’s case, a clothing brand.

While Ku explains that this was beyond her comfort zone, it gave her the opportunity to launch her brand much earlier than originally planned. “I thought I’d go back to Shanghai, get a job, gain experience, and then maybe create something,” she says. Instead, Ku stayed in Hawai‘i, and in 2017 her brand Ila Swim was officially born.

Along with the show came a robust social media following, one that caught Ku off guard. “Being a Japanese show, I did not expect it to be popular to the point where people in Hawai‘i would recognize me,” she explains. But Ku worked to see the positive side and focused on growing her business.

With COVID-19, sales slowed, and Ku is now building Ila Swim back up. She currently sells online and in a few O‘ahu boutiques. She is planning a few pop-ups that will partner with community non-profits and is working to make her product more sustainable.

Ku hopes ultimately that Ila Swim will become a brand that resonates with many and doesn’t stick to a single trend. “The motto for 88 Tees is ‘Every fit for every style,’ and I think that also correlates to me. In fashion, you don’t just stick to one thing. If it comes to you, you create. And that’s life too, there’s no rules. We’re in a world where everything is possible.” •

Photos by Matt Heirakuji

Object Lesson

As the story goes, this school-seal pendant has been worn by every Head of School at their formal installation ceremony. It appears in a painting of the legendary head James M. Taylor (who served from 1954 to 1974) that currently hangs in the Taylor Commons Dining Hall. Elements of this version of the seal include the cross of St. Andrew (on blue), the school colors (red and white), and of course, our Ka Makani tree. •

Kristin Tarnas brings volumes of energy to Village Campus library

Kristin Tarnas (right), pictured here with third-grade teacher Julia Noe ’11 and the Village Campus guinea pigs, Toby and Tucker, has wrapped her first year at the helm of the Lynn Taylor Library. Tarnas, a faculty member at HPA for 19 years, 14 of them as the Lower School fifth-grade teacher, helped spearhead the school’s capstone program. She took the reins as K-8 Librarian last August and is one of two HPA librarians who hold master’s degrees in library science! (The other being Upper School Librarian Angela Weisner ’03.) Under Tarnas’ leadership, and with an extremely inviting renovation in place, the Taylor Library has become one of the coolest spots for Middle School students to start the school day, spend lunch and breaks, and even volunteer to help assist kindergarten and first-grade students during class time. In April, Tarnas helped organize a visit from Meg Medina, a Newberry Award-winning author and this year’s National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, who also moderated the Big Island Heluhelu Quiz Bowl where one of HPA’s grade 4-7 teams placed second! •

360-CAMPUS TOURS AVAILABLE ONLINE!

Would you like to step inside Davies Memorial Chapel again? Visit GPAC or the Saalfeld Energy Lab? Thanks to William Schulhof ’23, you can—virtually. As part of his senior capstone project, Schulhof digitally mapped key facilities on the Upper School campus, creating a full suite of online tours for everyone—near and far. Use the QR code to check it out for yourself! •

Social media for social change

Jazzy Buerano ’17 is helping to stop plastic pollution in Hawai‘i and beyond

At a time when environmental pollution can seem utterly overwhelming, Jasmine (Jazzy) Buerano ’17 and her team at Sustainable Coastlines Hawai‘i (SCH) are working to create concrete, practical change through their large-scale beach clean ups, local partnerships, and most recently, social media.

While TikTok and Instagram dominate the way information is shared these days, many organizations have been slow to make this type of marketing a priority. Sustainable Coastlines Hawai‘i, on the other hand, has leaned into the social media space.

With her official title of “Inspiration Coordinator,” Buerano’s goal is to motivate and educate SCH’s local and global community of activists, scientists, artists, and changemakers. “We live in a world where attention spans are two or three seconds,” she explains. “And when plastic pollution is out of sight, it’s out of mind. We’re using a platform for storytelling, inclusivity, and amplifying what other organizations are doing to turn off the tap on plastic in their communities.” Buerano has helped to grow SCH’s social media following significantly since joining in June of 2022, which includes over 128,000 followers on Instagram.

While the tendency to immediately scroll might make it difficult to impart social change, viral information can also be an incredibly helpful tool. When Buerano took over on TikTok, the account sat at a respectable 25K. Just one viral video, which now has over 45 million views across platforms like Instagram and Tiktok, accumulated an additional 15,000+ followers. SCH now has over 43,000 followers on the platform.

Social media, however, isn’t the only work that Buerano does. “I’m also a photographer because that’s kind of where I come from first,” she says. “I’ve always been a writer and photographer ever since HPA.” Jazzy’s love of photography began at a young age, while accompanying her father, a professional photographer at the time, to photo shoots and observing his editing process.

While attending HPA, Jazzy honed her technical skills through Patrick O’Leary’s photography class. “Aside from my dad being someone who really pushed me into art, it was Mr. O’Leary who helped me foster more of the knowledge around photography when I was at HPA.”

“I had so much opportunity to go out and shoot,” Buerano recalls. “So many beautiful natural canvases. It was amazing.” Jazzy’s dad also gifted her his own full-frame camera, a significant upgrade from the crop sensor she had started with. “It’s been seven, almost eight years now, and I still use it,” she says “For me, it’s something that I’m never going to give away.”

After HPA, Jazzy graduated from California Polytechnic, San Luis Obispo, with a degree in communications and concentration in environmental studies. When she first entered the job market, she found it challenging to find an organization that would complement her unique skill set and support her professional goals.

By chance, one of Jazzy’s best friends from college sent her the job description at SCH, knowing it could be the perfect fit. When Jazzy discovered that another good friend had previously worked for SCH, she took that as a sign to apply…and a few months later she got the opportunity to be a voice for change.

Now approaching a year in the position, she is using her creative writing skillset and eye for photography to help SCH make meaningful change in her own backyard.

“People want to save themselves and they want to save their communities,” says Jazzy, “but this is an age of, ‘if you don’t see it, how are you going to connect the dots?’. Creating that connection, that's something that's really special about SCH and how we show up. When people have a stakehold in their community, they're more inclined to get inspired and create the actionable change we all want to see in this world.” •

“ I’VE ALWAYS BEEN A WRITER AND PHOTOGRAPHER EVER SINCE HPA. ”

Bringing Genome Science to Hawai‘i Classrooms

Five years ago, Dr. Johanna Anton arrived to teach science at HPA, bringing with her a wealth of research experience from some of the top laboratories in California. She’s been inspiring HPA students as a chemistry and capstone instructor ever since. Now “Dr. J,” as she is affectionately known, is sharing her skills and passion with even more students and teachers as a fellow for the ‘Āina-Informatics Network. Her efforts will help integrate genome science into classrooms across Hawai‘i Island.

Over the past five years, HPA seniors have set out to answer some intriguing questions in Anton’s capstone class. Do Hawai‘i's corals look different after ocean temperature rise, or are they actually different? Does the secret to food security in Hawai‘i lie in HPA’s Upper School garden? Under Anton's guidance, students grow from novice explorers to skilled investigators capable of self-driven research. Her commitment to their growth recently earned Anton the 2023 Ellbogen Meritorious Teaching Award.

“It is such a privilege and blessing to help train the next group of kids who have the power to impact the world through science,” says Anton. “Their work is so sophisticated and advanced. The truth is: there are maybe a handful of high schools across the country that have this kind of capability. It’s amazing.”

Another truth? Dr. J is as remarkable as the state-of-the-art technology she employs in her classroom.

“

I want to position HPA to not only be competitive with other successful science programs — I want us to be science leaders here in Hawai’i. ”

– Dr. Johanna Anton

BORN TO TEACH

Prior to coming to HPA in 2018, Anton ran the Bay Area Biotechnology Education Consortium in California, a nonprofit that provides educators with support and resources to teach biotech in classrooms. Under her leadership as executive director, the organization won the Biotech Educator of the Year Award in 2014.

So how does someone like Anton, who had a team of 50 scientists and engineers reporting to her when she was working as a research and development engineering manager at DuPont, find her way to HPA? As you can imagine, it wasn’t her only option. But when Anton told her mom that she was considering a career shift into classrooms, her mother’s reply sealed the deal: “It’s about time. You’re finally doing what you were born to do.”

Colleagues have often heard Anton refer to her teaching position at HPA as her “dream job.” A selfdescribed lifelong learner, Anton’s passion for science — specifically at the interface of chemistry and biology — is infectious and inspiring.

“The students in her class leave having learned chemistry, and it’s not like it’s an easy subject,” explains Stephanie McDowell, Upper School science department chair. “Her ability to connect a skill or concept in class to the real world and life after high school is truly impressive.”

As are her goals for HPA. “I want to position HPA to not only be competitive with other successful science programs — I want us to be science leaders here in Hawai’i,” says Anton.

In 2022, Anton was invited to attend Kula Aʻo Kālaiōewe on Oʻahu, a workshop sponsored by the ʻĀina-Informatics Network, an initiative based at ʻIolani School designed to make genome science accessible in Hawaiʻi classrooms. It was a no-brainer that she would attend. “They were using a technique to sequence DNA that I really didn’t know was possible in the classroom,” she explains.

Her motivation to learn was prompted by one of her former students — HPA alumna Haliʻa Buchal ’20 — whose capstone project explored whether more than one species of blue octocoral (Sarcothelia) was

developing on Hawaiʻi Island as the result of warmer ocean temperatures.

“Hali‘a was on the verge of getting her DNA sequenced when COVID-19 hit,” says Anton. “While we were off campus, the DNA degraded, and we couldn't finish the project. It's always stuck with me how sad I was that Haliʻa wasn't able to get those results.”

Haliʻa, now a sophomore at Carleton College in Minnesota studying archaeology and geology, recalls how disappointed she felt but how Anton’s enthusiastic support pushed her to keep going.

“I enjoyed it so much that I did a DNA sequencing internship in 2022 at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse,” she says, “using what I learned under Dr. J. I realize now how unusual our experience was — that HPA introduces high school kids to this level of laboratory work.”

REAL SCIENCE … IN HIGH SCHOOL

After attending theʻĀina-Informatics Network summer workshop, Anton was asking herself, “How do we bring this kind of genome science — in a way that impacts Hawaiʻi, and in a way that is place-based — back to HPA?”

She didn’t wait long for the answer. In a matter of weeks, Anton was awarded one of just four fellowships granted by the ʻĀina-Informatics Network, and she joined a cohort of Hawaiʻi teachers with access to professional development and equipment support for molecular biology and genome science.

“ʻIolani’s vision is that HPA will become a hub and resource so that when there is additional interest from Hawaiʻi Island schools, HPA can take leadership and kōkua,” says Anton. Her involvement has become a fundamental component of her chemistry classes and the foundation of her Experimental Lab Science capstone course for the 2022-23 academic year and beyond.

“In my capstone course, students get to do bona fide inquiry-based science — the kind of science where the answers aren't known yet,” she explains. “Typically, as a teacher, you're putting something in front of them that you know has a good chance of working because

you’re trying to teach a concept. But with a capstone course, students are asking the questions — and trying to figure out what the experiment is telling them when it doesn't give the expected results. That's how real science works.”

JUMP START ON COLLEGE AND LIFE

Anton is a big believer in the capstone philosophy and the value of providing students with an opportunity to focus on something they care about. Among other benefits, students learn what roles and skills feel like a good fit.

Harley Kell ’20 gained this invaluable insight in Anton’s class. Her capstone project aimed to learn more about the genetics of ‘uala (Hawaiian sweet potato) with hopes of identifying genotypic and phenotypic differences between the plants. ʻUala leaves looked so different across cultivars on campus that she and her fellow capstone partner, Fa-Fa “Gareth” Lin ’20, wanted to see if there were differences on the genetic level as well.

“Dr. Anton is incredibly knowledgeable and made our capstone project possible,” says Harley, who was accepted early decision to Dartmouth. “I had not taken AP chemistry or biology going into senior year, so Dr. Anton helped me learn all of the complex science pieces along the way and guided me through our first labs.”

“When I started the project, I was excited to follow the scientific process, but eventually I realized lab science was not something I enjoyed,” Harley explains. “I was much more interested in indigenous agricultural methods or how sweet potatoes came to Hawaiʻi. Learning how to perform scientific experiments in the lab was incredibly valuable, and Dr. Anton was a great scientist to learn from — but to me, the lab felt tedious compared to the excitement and fulfillment I felt going out into our school garden, visiting local farms, and interviewing community members.”

Harley is now a double major in Native American and Indigenous studies and economics at Dartmouth. She says her capstone experience with Anton was crucial in helping her decide what to pursue after HPA.

“ I realize now how unusual our experience was — that HPA introduces high school kids to this level of laboratory work. ”

– Hali‘a Buchal ’20

As for her capstone partner, Gareth? He had never taken a biology course prior to Anton’s capstone class, and now he’s majoring in biomedical engineering at the University of California - San Diego.

“That's the thing about capstone, right?" says Anton. “It saved Harley from being miserable at college doing a science degree because she knew already that's not where she wanted to end up. And it allowed Gareth to really explore something new and eventually declare it as his college major.”

HIGH-POWERED PARTNERSHIP

When it comes to advanced hypotheses, most students need to build their lab skills — and they need equipment — in order to execute. Anton’s involvement with the ʻĀina-Informatics Network aims to bolster both issues. Her objective is to reach as many students as possible with her place-based genome science curriculum.

“In addition to chemistry and capstone coursework,” she says, “I’ve started an after-school cocurricular program in biotech. Students can opt-in for that as a choice twice a week, to get more experience and exposure.”

The ʻĀina-Informatics Network team from ʻIolani visited the Upper Campus twice last year with their mobile sequencing lab that supports DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, and Nanopore MinION sequencing in virtually any classroom — but they say the resources that already exist at HPA dramatically amplify the work that can be achieved.

One such resource, funded by the Will J. Reid Foundation in 2019, is a UV spectrophotometer (NanoDrop One), which measures how much DNA is in a sample. It’s affectionately referred to as “Gabby’s NanoDrop,” thanks to Gabriella Pike ’20, whose capstone project was to learn how to use the machine, build out its protocols, and serve as the lab technician for other student’s projects while also teaching HPA instructors how to operate it.

Since Anton’s inclusion in the ʻĀina-Informatics Network, science department faculty say the

machine is being used all the time to quantify the concentration of DNA in samples. It allows students to conduct downstream experiments properly, like DNA sequencing, because it ensures that they’re not testing too much or too little DNA.

“ʻĀina-Informatics Network initiatives now allow us to fully utilize this piece of equipment across multiple capstone projects and in classes. That donation was amazing,” says Anton.

“With our ʻĀina-Informatics Network partnership, it feels like everything is happening in the right direction at the right time,” she continues. “I feel really grateful to be doing what I’m doing and watching these students get excited. We are giving HPA students an opportunity to contribute to work that’s truly meaningful.” •

CITIZEN SCIENCE: ‘ĀINA-INFORMATICS NETWORK

Until recently, it was cost-prohibitive to examine DNA code from a classroom. But as technology has progressed, so has accessibility.

The ‘Āina-Informatics Network, launched by ‘Iolani School in Honolulu, is a citizen-science initiative designed to make genetics and genomics science more available in Hawai‘i high schools. Their overall objective is to help solve Hawai‘i’s unique challenges through place-based curricula. Since its inception in 2017, ‘ĀinaInformatics Network has grown to include more than 2,500 students from private, public, and charter schools across the state. Their Teacher Fellow program ensures that instructors have the right training and tools to make genome science lessons successful, with a focus on developing best practices that are inclusive of Native Hawaiian and Indigenous perspectives.

BUILDING A

STRONGER HAWAI‘I, ONE HOME AT A TIME

What is a home? Jason Fujimoto ’98 has considered this question from more angles than the average person. As the fifth-generation CEO of HPM Building Supply, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2021, he has spent his entire life surrounded by the materials of home building. But HPM deals in far more than just metal, wood, and concrete. “Our vision is that everything we do as an organization helps our customers and our community build better and, ultimately, live better,” Jason explains. “We’re devoted to taking care of each other, and we strive to do what is right for future generations. That's our essence. We’re continuing the values and the leadership of all those people who came before me.”

Even before he joined the family business in 2005, Jason got an indelible lesson in the power of community when he enrolled at HPA. Born and raised in Hilo, he attended public elementary and middle school. His father, Mike Fujimoto ’70, attended HPA as a boarder and found the experience life-changing. “He was adamant that I would go to high school at HPA,” Jason recalls. When the time came, his parents supported the transition by moving to Waimea so that he could continue to live at home. It was a huge change nonetheless, but one that came with a deep investment from the school. “I had some very transformative and kind teachers who took me under their wings and helped me get through that first year,” he says. “All the teachers were super kind and caring. It really felt like an extended family – an ‘ohana.”

Jason excelled academically and, upon graduation, headed to the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. He got his degree in finance and management, adding a minor in psychology, influenced, in part, by his HPA cross country coach, Karl “Mad Dog” Honma. “I struggled significantly, but I stuck it out for all four years because of his encouragement,” Jason remembers. “Perseverance was a big life lesson that I took away from that.” While at HPA, he also took AP psychology and carried that interest with him to college, where it dovetailed well with his professional goals. As he notes, “Psychology and business go very well together –understanding human nature, biases, and how people think.”

A HANDS-ON HOMECOMING

After Wharton came a job at JP Morgan in New York, but after a few years, Jason and several colleagues began to get restless. They planned to launch a startup – until Mike Fujimoto caught wind of their brainstorming. “My dad came up with a proposition, saying ‘the one thing that you're missing is the understanding of how a company truly operates. Why don't you guys come to Hawai‘i and do a one-year consulting gig for HPM?’” None of the friends had ever been to Hawai‘i before, but all of them –understandably – leapt at the chance to get hands-on experience.

For Jason, the offer presented an additional opportunity. Though he had always been encouraged to go off on his own, he found that “it was really refreshing and meaningful,

HPM Building Supply’s manufacturing operations in Kea‘au at Shipman Industrial Park where they fabricate wall panels, trusses, and Custom Metal Roofing.

coming back and seeing with my own eyes what my dad and my grandfather and his grandfathers built over many decades. I reconnected with my roots.” Somewhat to his own surprise, when his friends left for other ventures, he decided to stay at HPM. “I think my dad was earnest in his offer,” he reflects now, “while at the same time having a glimmer of hope that if he could get me back to Hawai‘i, I might not leave again." For the first five years, he moved around the company, “getting into pretty much every area on a project basis.” Once it was clear he planned to stick around long-term, he entered a succession plan that began with running a location, then a region, then moving up to director of finance, CFO, COO, and finally, in 2019, taking over for his father as CEO, next in the long line of Fujimotos who have helmed the company.

STEADFAST FAMILY DEDICATION TO HAWAI‘I

That legacy began with Jason’s great-great-grandfather Kametaro Fujimoto, who came to Hawai‘i from Japan as a teenager and found work on a plantation. In 1921, he and a coworker named Sanzo Kawasaki left the plantation and, together with a group of local leaders, founded the town of Shinmachi – “New Town” – in Hilo. “Their goal was to build a thriving community,” Jason explains. “They set up a mini ecosystem of support and necessary businesses to keep this community thriving, including a lumber mill called Hawai‘i Planing Mill.”

Jason’s great-grandfather Barney guided HPM through World War II when the US Navy Seabees took it over under the War Powers Act. He also dealt with the aftermath of the 1946 tsunami caused by an

earthquake in the Aleutian Islands that hit Hilo without warning. In Shinmachi, walls of water up to fifty feet destroyed the business district on Hilo’s Bayfront, including most of HPM’s main structure. Barney Fujimoto rebuilt and reinvented HPM as a supplier of hardware and building materials before the presidency shifted to his son, Bobby, after his death in 1950. A few years later, Bobby Fujimoto reinforced the company’s core values in a whole new way by establishing one of the first employee profit-sharing plans in Hawai‘i. He built on this commitment in 1977 by creating one of Hawai‘i’s first employee stock ownership plans (ESOP).

The company continued to grow and expand, becoming HPM Building Supply in 1983. In 1992, Mike Fujimoto became CEO; in 2006 he shifted HPM from majority family-owned to 100% employee-owned. “He felt

Kametaro Fujimoto Founder and 1st President of HPM

Barney Fujimoto 2nd President

Robert “Bobby” Fujimoto 3rd President

5 GENERATIONS OF FUJIMOTOS LEADING HPM BUILDING SUPPLY

Mike Fujimoto ’70 4th President Jason Fujimoto ’98 5th President

that to really take the company to the next level, we had to go all-in on ownership,” says Jason. “It always goes back to our people and our team. When they act as owners of the company every day, every month, every year, it creates the strongest foundation for our future success and longevity.” Though the ESOP is nothing new, Jason believes it is also “the best model of capitalism now and into the future. We’re not creating an organization where you have one or two people at the top that are worth billions of dollars – we’re truly sharing the benefits.”

REINVESTING ACROSS THE ISLANDS

HPM was in a strong position when the 2008 recession hit, but like so many others, it was forced to downsize in order to weather the storm, a painful reality for a company that cares so deeply about its employees. It has come back from the downturn determined not only to expand – over the last ten years, it has gone from being a primarily Hawai‘i Island-based business to one with 17 facilities and locations on all four major islands plus Washington state –but also to give even more back to the community.

The HPM Foundation has long been a source of grants and assistance on Hawai‘i Island, but as the company began to serve more and more communities, something more robust was needed. ”It takes a lot more planning and organization to make sure that our community giving is aligned with our values and that we're deploying the right level of resources

across all islands,” Jason explains. The result is a multi-pronged Community Reinvestment Framework divided into five areas: housing and shelter, environment and sustainability, education and culture, health and wellness, and food security.

Currently, the two biggest areas of investment are education, including the Robert M. Fujimoto Memorial Scholarship at the University of Hawai‘i and the Building Future Builders Scholarship Program, which now aids higher education opportunities for both Hawai‘i high school seniors and community college carpentry programs on each island, and housing. “We participate in

a lot of building initiatives across the state, including significant discounts on whatever materials are needed for the project,” says Jason. “Our partners have included Habitat for Humanity, HOPE Services in Pāhoa, and Pu‘uhonua O Wai‘anae on O‘ahu where they're trying to change an encampment into a place with real shelter.”

A NEW KIND OF HOUSING— FOR A THRIVING HAWAI‘I

HPM is also tackling Hawai‘i’s affordable housing crisis. The median home price across all islands is currently $1 million dollars, with Kaua‘i ending 2022 at $1.6 million. Jason

HPM Building Supply became 100% owned by its Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) in 2006.

is acutely aware that, as always, the future of the community and HPM are intricately intertwined. “We're in our fifth year or so of annual population declines,” he notes. The question, then, is: “What do we need to do to keep our local community here in the islands versus pricing them out of paradise? There are many parts of that equation – infrastructure, land use –but very simply, it's housing supply. If the housing demand exceeds your housing supply, your price will only go in one direction.”

To try to meet this challenge, HPM started a project a few years ago that makes use of its component manufacturing capabilities – wall panel systems, trusses, floor systems – to build the basic box of a home. Their goal is to partner with local

developers and community-minded entities to create a sustainable system for providing a new kind of housing. “We want to offer really small, attainable, factory-built structures between 800-1200 square feet that someone can get into quickly, for $250,000 or less,” he explains. “That’s the gap in supply – smaller starter homes for younger families, or individuals, or people who just need shelter. We can help, but it takes more than just us to actually make it happen.” The hope is that by helping to fill this basic need, other good things will follow.

“If you have the right community with enough livable space for everyone, the benefit to everything around is so dramatic,” Jason says. “It impacts your healthcare system,

stress, violence, everything. I believe that if we can continue to be innovative and do the right things for our community and our customers, this is the greatest vehicle to build generational wealth and success for our employees, their children, and hopefully, their grandchildren.”

It’s been twenty years since Jason returned from New York to Hilo, and he can’t imagine having done it differently. As the father of a 15-yearold daughter and a 12-year-old son, with a wife who also spent time on the continent before returning, Jason has built his own place in Hawai‘i while helping others do the same. “Home is your foundation,” he says. “It's where families are built. It's your anchor — and your heart.” •

HPM Building Supply partnered with HOPE Services Hawai‘i on the Sacred Heart Community Affordable Housing Project. Once completed, these in-progress units will be the first affordable rental housing development for unhoused kūpuna in Puna.

FROM BIG ISLAND TO BOBCAT

MALIA MCKENDRY ’21

RIDING HIGH AT MONTANA STATE AS VARSITY POLO CAPTAIN

Malia McKendry ’21 will admit that she didn’t always love being known as the “horse girl.” But the “polo girl?” Well, that’s an entirely different story.

“I interacted with horses on a daily basis,” McKendry says, “and I felt like I was labeled the ‘horse girl,’ which I kind of resented through some of my middle school years— just doing dressage and all that. And then I found polo.”

It's been a game changer for McKendry, who followed her passion to Montana State after graduation. She quickly made her presence felt and was named the Bobcat polo varsity captain as a sophomore. The club is sanctioned by the United States Polo Association and competes in the Western Division against the likes of Stanford, the University of Southern California, Oregon State, and others.

Polo culture runs deep in McKendry’s family, particularly on Hawai‘i Island, where her grandfather, Dick Ednie, helped found Mauna Kea Polo Club (now known as Waiki‘i Polo Club). His son, Jed Ednie ‘94, helps manage the club now.

“It’s very active and breaks some of the stereotypes of horse riding,” McKendry says. “Even though it is called ‘the sport of kings,’ there is a certain level of rough and tumble I really enjoy about it.”

For those not in the know: polo is a team sport that involves players riding horses while trying to score goals by hitting a small ball using long-handled mallets. The game is fast-paced and requires great skill and coordination between the player and their polo pony.

“It’s like soccer, but you’re on a horse hitting the ball with a stick,” McKendry says.

Off the field, polo has helped McKendry find a sense of ‘ohana thousands of miles from home. Between practice and travel for games, some of her best friends are her Montana State polo partners.

“My first year of college was defined by COVID and keeping us separated from each other. So it was hard to make a lot of friends my freshman year,” McKendry says. “Since then, I’ve made a lot of close friends through the polo club. It’s a really fun group that is passionate about the sport.”

Fiona McKendry '89, has admired from afar as her daughter set up a new base at Montana State. What she’s observed is that many of the lessons and experiences gained during Malia’s time at HPA have helped her with the transition, preparing her for college and life.

“There are a lot of things I love about HPA and it was a very rewarding experience for our kids,” Fiona McKendry said. “I feel like having a very diverse, unique community at HPA helps students feel more comfortable stepping out of their comfort zone once they get to college or their next phase of life. HPA fosters the idea of getting out and exploring the world—whether that be through academics, sports, a club, or something else.”

McKendry is majoring in exercise science but plans to go into physical therapy, which will determine her next destination when she’s ready. Wherever that is, expect her mallet to be going with her. •

POLO RUNS IN THE FAMILY

A couple of current Ka Makani students were pursuing their polo dreams this year, with Caleb McKendry ‘23 and Ethan Matsui ‘25 helping lead the Waiki'i Polo Club to a win at the 2023 Interscholastic Preliminary Tournament in California. The squad, coached by Jed Ednie ‘94, advanced to the Regional Championships—which were also held in California—finishing third.

Caleb McKendry is heading to Colorado State next year and he plans to continue his polo career at the collegiate level.

The Power of PE

As lifelong athletes, HPA Village Campus physical education teachers Betsy Tranquilli (opposite page, left) and Lydia Blackburn understand the importance of cultivating a passion for movement from a young age.

Tranquilli oversees PE for the youngest students in Lower School, while Blackburn is responsible for working with sixth- through eighth-graders at the Middle School. Despite being in charge of different age groups, they share a common vision that transcends grade levels and aims to equip students with skills and knowledge that serve them in the Upper School and beyond.

Their approach to physical education is centered on creating a strong foundation of athleticism that can be built upon as students grow. Tranquilli and Blackburn took some time to discuss their programs and the role of PE in a well-rounded education.

What do you enjoy most about your roles? What have been some of the highlights or pride points?

Tranquilli: I always say being an elementary PE teacher is the closest I'll ever come to being a rock star. People cheer when I show up to do my job—how cool is that? But in all seriousness, I enjoy all the teachable moments throughout my day. Some of them have to do directly with movement and health, but the majority don't. PE teachers have always been at the forefront of social-emotional learning. It is really one of the best environments for young people to learn about cooperation, creativity, problem solving, understanding and managing different emotions, and making sense of the world around them and their relationship with others.

Blackburn: My go-to response when students ask how my day is going is usually, "Fantastic, I have PE all day!" The students at HPA are top-notch. They're funny, engaging, enthusiastic, considerate, and curious. I always say Middle School is the best because they're still kids, but they have the physicality to play games, sports, and more. We have a lot of fun together.

How is HPA unique when it comes to PE education at the Village Campus?

Tranquilli: Whenever I talk to my colleagues at other schools, I feel immense gratitude for the value that HPA places on physical education. Our class sizes are small. We have world-class facilities available to us — spacious playing fields, Hale ʻĪnana gym, Stan Schutes Track at the Upper Campus, Dowsett Pool and Rutgers Tennis Center — that are all utilized multiple times during the year as part of our curriculum. I am so proud of the PE program that has been developed and the learning opportunities that we offer. I believe it is among the best you will find anywhere.

How do the two programs work together to create a cohesive experience for a student who attends K-8?

Blackburn: Betsy was on my hiring committee, and one thing we both really connected about was the importance of making each PE class meaningful. It would be very easy to treat PE like recess, throw out a ball, play some dodgeball, and call it good. We both take a lot of pride in the way we think about our programs and how to get the most out of them.

What’s your take on Lower and Middle School PE in relation to Upper School and beyond?

Tranquilli: I am often the first introduction they have to fitness and movement. I want that to be a positive experience so they continue with it for the rest of their lives. Our PE curriculum in the Lower School is skill-based, not sports-based. I want every kid to feel comfortable doing basic hings like throwing a frisbee or kicking a ball, so they never feel like they have to sit out of a family picnic softball or kickball game because they never learned the fundamentals.

Blackburn: Middle School is really the bridge between foundational movement skills and Upper School athletics. This is my favorite age because they can still find a sport that they've never considered before and have time to become successful at it. My job is to give them opportunities to consider those sports! And not only consider, but realize that broken down, most sports use very similar foundational skills that they can learn and apply universally.

Alumni News, Class Notes, Events, Giving and More

Ka Makani kids living the dream at Reunion Weekend 2023.

HPA welcomes its youngest alumni

On May 26, HPA celebrated its 72nd Annual Commencement Exercises. From our beloved campus, 95 young Ka Makani are headed out on new adventures. In a beautiful ceremony before family and friends, the Class of 2023’s achievements were celebrated with inspiring speeches, followed by their gift of song and dance for all who have supported them on their journey.

Quoting from "Hana Waimea," the companion oli to "Hole Waimea," Commencement speaker Kaʻai Spencer, Upper School Poʻo Kumu (principal), spoke of the “net of wind” or ʻupena a ka makani that famously passes through the area.

“You all are now members of this ʻupena a ka makani, the net of wind,” said Spencer. “You will forever be connected to each other, and you are not alone. You never were. Each of you is connected to somebody sitting in these bleachers.

“It has been a pleasure to watch you grow and discover your wings along the way. When times get tough, remember that you … are part of an ʻupena that was around for a long time and will only continue to grow.”

To all our graduates and their families, a huge CONGRATULATIONS.

#KaMakaniForever

Save the Date for Alu Mai

Saturday, November 18, 2023

Alu Mai is HPA’s annual gala and fundraiser in support of financial aid. Make plans now to come join us for an evening of fine dining, art, music, dancing, and giving for a great cause.

Founded in 1973 by Anna Lindsey Perry-Fiske, legendary Waimea rancher, pā‘ū rider, hostess extraordinaire, and founding trustee, HPA’s gala and auction is a proud tradition and a fabulous party. Help us perpetuate Anna’s outstanding legacy by joining in to ensure the future of financial aid at HPA. Come with a generous heart and enjoy a fabulous night in support of future generations of Ka Makani.

To see more photos from last year's Alu Mai, visit www.hpa.edu/alu-mai

Class Notes

50s:

Bob Barwick ’58 has been happily retired with his wife, Judy, since 2005. He writes: “Currently living on the 8th hole at The Mission Club Golf Course. Lompoc has a beautiful Mediterranean climate, and we love it.”

60s:

Harry Achilles ’60 retired to Texas to be near his daughter and step family. He reports that he’s in good health and traveling frequently: “I try to get back to the islands annually, usually to Kauaʻi.”

Montie Cooke ’63, writes to say: “Teaching meditation and Tibetan Buddhist wisdom teachings to Dr. Joel Fuhrman’s Eat to Live Retreat at Rancho Santa Fe, CA.

Bill Koch ’65 says “Debby and I have been busy. This fall I gave a talk on the history and restoration of the statue of Kamehameha at Kapaʻau. We traveled to England for the Opening of the Legal Year in London and for a side trip to Chartwell. The holidays found us in New York. We’re working on returning to Hawaiʻi this year. Lars ’65 and Margie ’73 Nelson spent several days with us on their summer cross-country tour. Other Class of ’65 visitors headed toward Music City are always welcome.”

Martha “Meg” Greenwell ’68 writes: “My daughter, Allison ’03, gave birth to a 9 lb. 5oz. baby boy on May 4, 2022. We are all

so excited, and Liam is a growing boy and soooo cute!”

70s:

Dale Lawrence ’73 shares that in June of 2020, “I moved my mother from a home in Oregon back to our home in Waimea and am now taking care of her. She is so happy to be back! I’ve retired from being a medical coding consultant with Kaiser Perm in Oregon and a real estate agent in California and am enjoying life with Mom. I now have eight grandchildren from three of my amazing four children and miss them dearly as they all live in Oregon.”

Alan Rolph ’73 says: “with 50th reunion coming up, I’m looking forward to seeing classmates. I’m retired living in Captain Cook, loving to be back in Hawaiʻi.”

(continued on page 40)

Nicole (Bates) Vincent ’90

is a luxury real estate broker at Venture Sotheby's International Realty specializing in properties in Waimea and on the Kohala Coast, with a new office at Mauna Kea Beach Resort. A proud boy-mom, Nicole’s two sons have attended HPA since kindergarten — keeping the Bates ʻohana legacy alive and thriving! (Nicole’s sister, Alexandra (Bates) Hustace ’94, is the Lower School art instructor and Isaacs Art Center education specialist; and her father, Michael Bates ’58, was a residential student from Maui who sadly passed away two years ago.) HPA has always held a sweet spot in her family’s hearts, and Nicole says it has been extremely rewarding to now have her children attend their alma mater. Dylan ’26 is in the ninth grade, and she has been enjoying getting to experience Upper School athletics with him. Her youngest, Luke ’28, who is in the seventh grade, loves sports too, and ʻukulele class, and he is also looking forward to Upper Campus life. When not in Waimea, where Nicole and her husband, Shane, are currently building a new home, the family is likely to be spotted aboard their 27-foot boat Lokelani Maru practicing sustainable fishing.

1. Air Force Captain Katie Case ’12 (Xena) joining Navy Lt. Commander B illy Case ’06 (Thrust) during an interservice training event in Boise, ID.

2. Conor Hunt ’20 and Ethan Goore ’21 met HPA college counselors A ndrew Kelsey and Cindy Montgomery in Houston, TX for dinner in S eptember. Ethan plays in the Rice pep band at football games, and C onor is a member of the football squad.

3. Al Covey ’64 shared this shot: “my great grandson and I going over the basics of video gaming.”

4. Kawela Takushi ’22 running the Honolulu Marathon.

5. Oli Heuchenne ’86 celebrated his birthday in Mallorca with his w ife Anna and daughter Linnea ’24, two days before she returned to HPA for her last five months of the school year.

6. Allison Greenwell ’03 and family welcomed baby Liam in May 2022!

7. Alison (Sissy) Kerr-White ’88 with her mom, Eppy Kerr, brother, K eoki Kerr, and daughter Shelby White.

8. Dale Lawrence ’73 with her granddaughter, Mahina.

9. Bailey (Hare) Ledesma ’83 is “sending aloha from Kapahulu! I am a n ew Tutu and feel very blessed! (Pictured here, her daughter Anuhea’s graduation at Santa Clara University.) I am still teaching English l anguage learners. I’m a TESOL K-12 & CERI Certified Teacher.”

ANGELS ON THE TRAIL

ALEX “MOUSE” SMITH ’62 RECOMMENDS A LIFE OF ADVENTURE AND COMMUNITY

Alex Smith’s favorite advice on life can be summed up in two words: “Just go.” Since his early upbringing on O‘ahu and his teenage years at HPA, he’s been drawn to open spaces and wild places, fueled by a healthy case of wanderlust.

“My travels really started with HPA,” he says. “Those were different times. Parents thought nothing of sending their children off to another island, and we thrived! I fell in love with Hawai‘i Island and never looked back.”

Smith arrived as a sophomore in 1960. The Upper School campus was under construction, and while the dorms were open, classes were still held at St. James in Waimea. Smith remembers lots of time spent outdoors: sports, campus chores, and, of course, hiking.

“We would hike out into the rainforest, go straight up into the mountains,” he recalls. “The plants fascinated me.” He also fondly remembers Head of School James Taylor and the talented young faculty members who, as recent college graduates, were not much older than Smith and his classmates. “We were greeted by wonderful people,” he says. “Taylor, in particular, really formed us as human beings. Even our attitudes about travel. I think most HPA graduates became real travelers, people who are open and curious about where they can go.”

For those young men who met so long ago, the bonds of friendship remain strong. Smith’s classmates still visit each other across islands and convene for birthdays or other celebrations. Their adventures at HPA built a life-long web of connection and a love for exploring the natural world — mountains, oceans, and beyond.

Smith continued to seek adventure after HPA. In college, he trained for the hospitality industry at

Michigan State. “The hotel business allowed me to travel,” he explains. “I started at the Kahala Hilton while I was still at MSU — we had to do an internship to graduate — and later I worked at Kona Surf and Kona Village. Along the way I spent four years at Hotel Bora Bora, and, generally speaking, I always traveled as much as I could. Back then, Pan Am had an open ticket that let you fly to unlimited destinations over a certain period of time. I liked to see how far I could get!”

After retirement, Smith ramped up his hiking, including parts of the Appalachian Trail, Colorado Trail, the Continental Divide, and even Mt. Kilimanjaro. His true love, however, is the Pacific Crest Trail, which he has completed twice. “The first time, I was airlifted out because of kidney stones,” he says. “The helicopter rescue was more harrowing than the symptoms.” The next summer, he returned to the same spot in Washington State and completed the distance.

Smith’s favorite memories of the PCT center on its community of through-hikers and “trail angels” who live near the route. “Those folks make it so supportive; they look out for the hikers,” he explains. “Shoes, dinner, whatever you need to keep going. And those of us hiking, we give each other trail names and friendships begin to develop. You have freedom on the trail, but you’re never alone.” Smith, whose trail name is “Hula Daddy,” even performed the wedding ceremony of a friend he met on the PCT. “We all went hiking afterwards!”

For today’s HPA students, Smith repeats his twoword advice: “Just go,” he says. “Take some time off and get on the trails. Live with some discomfort. Let a stranger become a lifetime friend. Learn to just be. You’ll never regret it.” •

“ I T HINK MOST HPA GRADUATES

B ECAME REAL TRAVELERS, P EOPLE WHO ARE OPEN AND C URIOUS ABOUT WHERE T HEY CAN GO. ”

– ALEX “MOUSE” SMITH ’62

(continued from page 36)

Chris Thompson ’75 is still living in Asheville, NC, where “the winter is mild this year. We’re looking to start a new season of gardening as seniors. My wife Laurie retired two years ago and is gardening like crazy. I am still running my chiropractic practice and loving it. I am still playing ultimate frisbee two times a week. Crazy. If you're in the area drop me a line!”

80s:

Vincent Robinson ’80 is excited to share that his novel, Amansun the Dragon Prince, is in the final stages of being published in hard copy, paperback, and e-Book. It’s available for purchase online and in stores now. “For any of you who enjoy fantasybased stories, or have friends and family who enjoy the genre, please consider purchasing a copy. With Aloha, Vince Robinson.”

Linda O'Brien ’81 writes that she “moved back to Moku O Keawe a year ago to Hilo and I am so grateful! It's so lovely to be back home, close to my mom and dear friends!! My husband Patrick O’Brien passed away in May of 2019, and then my dad passed away in January 2020. Then the pandemic happened, and all of this time I wanted to move home so badly, but I had to wait it out, like the rest of the world!

I leapt at the chance to move home in December 2021, and I was happy to leave Oʻahu behind, and move back to Hilo, which has always held a special place in my heart since childhood! I miss my dear daughter Chandra Vaidya, and my dear sister Jenny Piltz ’85 and her boys, but I'm so thrilled to be back home!! My mom is still in Waimea and it's been really nice to be close but not too close! I have gone to my Middle name Kaʻilikapu, Kaʻili for short, and I

Michael Ho ’15 is a Cantonese Japanese American artist who currently lives and works in Tokyo, Japan. Ho graduated summa cum laude with a BA in fine arts from the University of California at Los Angeles and has gone on to achieve incredible success as a featured artist in several solo and group exhibitions in galleries across Asia — including the Tokyo International Gallery, run by close friend and fellow alum Kosuke Shimamura ’16. Michael’s latest show at Kotaro Nukaga in Tokyo, Something so beautiful is so easily forgiven, which ran April 8 to June 3, celebrates his love for the written word and text-based art. The installation showcased only words, and no imagery, chosen specifically to highlight duality and the self-deprecating and often absurd humor captured by Gen Z’s tone. Michael’s vision is that his work will literally speak to the viewer as they process each message on their own terms, through their own lens, while reading each display. Up next, Michael has a group show in Shanghai and later will head to Taiwan’s largest art fair, Taipeidangdai, where he has plans for a reunion with several classmates from 2015, including Wayne Lin.

do my best to have aloha in my heart and follow my father’s legacy of our culture as Polynesians. ʻOnipaʻa!!!”

Julie (Stewart) Crawford ’83 is living in British Columbia and shares that she “recently became a grandmother and loving it!”

Bailey (Hare) Ledesma ’83 is “sending aloha from Kapahulu! I am a new Tutu and feel very blessed! I am still teaching English language learners. I’m a TESOL K-12 & CERI Certified Teacher.”

Sean McLane ’83 has moved from Redmond, OR to Madras, OR. “I’m looking forward to coming back for my 40th reunion in 2023. Was there for the 35th and it was fun.”

Celia De Benedetti ’84 writes that she is livin’ the semi-retired dream, developing recipes for kitchen appliance companies and doing some marketing for work. Lots of traveling, going to visit HPA and the (continued on page 44)

We want to hear from you! Please submit your notes and photos to www.hpa.edu/giving/update by September 5, 2023 for the next issue of Ma Ke Kula

10. Karly Noetzel ’18 is in the graduate film program at Montana State.

11.

own

13. Yerden Suraganov ’18 stopped by campus recently to catch up!

14. Linda O'Brien ’81 says: “Here we all are: my daughter Chandra Vaidya a nd her husband Dante Vaidya in the back, myself, my grandson Beni, m y stepdaughter Chelsea O’Brien, and Juan Bran, Chelsea's partner!! S o much Aloha!”

15. Kelley Miller ’84 got married last August and now lives in Monterey, CA. I am a vet for a senior dog rescue. We are enjoying the empty-nester l ife traveling all over the world!”

16. Chris Thompson ’75 lives in Asheville, NC, and is still running his c hiropractic practice and playing ultimate frisbee twice a week.

17. Mako Yamamoto ’19 recently participated in a developmental reading of a new show called Night Side Songs with the American Music Theatre P roject at Northwestern University. More details are in the class notes!

18. Michi Wong ’22 is currently in Florence, Italy on a school trip and had a c hance to meet up with Ivanni Jamin ’20!

19. Jackson Solomon ’15 is now the Director of Content and Marketing at Unrulr, a Native-Hawaiian-founded edtech startup based in Honolulu. H e’s living with his partner in San Diego, and finding time for surfing and snow boarding.

Chelsea (Morriss) Croy ’05 has recently opened up her

Vasper b usiness! More details are in the class notes.

12. Class of 1966 friends Robby Hind, Mike Spalding, and Jim Kennedy g athered at Jim's farm, York Woods. “Lots of stories about our HPA d ays,” Mike shares.

Called to Serve

Army ROTC leads Aislinn Carroll ’18 to mission assurance position in Washington

oriented careers: her father as a labor attorney and mother as a child psychologist. The idea of giving back and contributing to the greater good seemed like a perfect fit.

“Being part of the ROTC was both the hardest thing I have ever done and the most rewarding,” says Carroll, “It was incredibly challenging—both mentally and physically—and humbling at every turn. No matter what the circumstances, you were always being pushed beyond your limits.”

Aislinn Carroll ’18 admits that joining the Army ROTC was not part of her original college game plan during her senior year at HPA. It wasn’t until she got accepted to her school of choice, Tulane University, and gained a deeper understanding of tuition costs, living expenses, and student loans that it became a serious option.

A life-changing option, as it turned out. On something of a whim, Carroll applied for and received what evolved into a full, four-year ROTC scholarship to attend Tulane, where, in addition to her military obligations, she studied international relations, homeland security, and Russian.

“My grandfather spent his entire career in the military and went on to become the deputy garrison commander at the Pōhakuloa Training Area, not far from HPA, while I was in high school,” says Carroll. “So, that was always somewhere in the back of my mind.” As were her parents, she adds, both of whom have service-

The demands of the ROTC—daily workouts, extra classes focused on leadership development, military history and tactics—on top of her already rigorous Tulane course load taught Carroll a lot about time management, discipline, and setting priorities. Adapting quickly to this action-packed lifestyle, she assumed the role of squad leader during her freshman year; she also went on to serve as a troop leader during larger military field exercises held with other squads out of state.

Adding to Carroll’s busy schedule was an internship during her senior year at the U.S. Commercial Service in New Orleans, which provided her with new insight into the global economy and national security from a nonmilitary perspective.

“The U.S. Commercial Service functions as the trade arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration and helps businesses bring their goods and services to the global marketplace,” she explains. “The work they do taught me a lot about how economic factors can impact diplomatic efforts and help maintain peaceful international relations.”

Upon graduating from Tulane in May 2022, Carroll was commissioned as an officer in the Army Reserve, which entails her working in a part-time capacity (one weekend per month, two full weeks per year) at a base just outside Washington, DC. Her full-time civilian job, as she calls it, is working for a risk management consulting company that supports several military services located in the nation’s capital.

Without going into specifics due to security protocols, Carroll describes both of her positions as being related to information gathering, mission assurance, and supporting the decision-making process at higher levels. She credits her studies in student government and international relations at HPA and Tulane with giving her a nuanced understanding of complex geopolitical issues that now informs her work.

Carroll’s commitment to the Army Reserve ends in 2030, but she’s already thinking about extending her service and seeing where it leads. Married in December 2022 to an active Marine, also based in Washington, DC, the idea of a life in the military is becoming a real possibility.

“A couple years ago, I found the drawer where my grandfather kept all of his badges and certifications from his time in the Army and it gave me a real sense of what following a similar path might look like,” says Carroll. “A military career would give me the opportunity to continue to learn and grow, to travel and have adventures, all while being part of something greater than myself, helping others, and making a difference.” •

All opinions, experiences, and positions are Carroll's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Army Cadet Command.

(continued from page 40)

Ohana in February ’23. Empty-nesting and newly engaged, learning to love my new freedom. Hiking, skiing, eating, hanging with friends.”

Lisa Hall-Anderson ’84 is still working at University of Massachusetts Medical School and still married to Dan Anderson (Professor at MIT), with two children, now in their 20s. “Been trying to retire for the last 3 years now,” Lisa writes, “and keep getting talked into just reducing time instead! I’m down to 50% time right now… so I’m getting there. LOL :)”

Kelley Miller ’84 got married last August and now lives in Monterey, CA. “I am a vet

Dylan Shropshire ’06 is a fifth-generation farmer who founded and serves as the chief operating officer of Big Island Grown, the largest seller of cannabis in the state of Hawai’i. Over the last eight years, Dylan has navigated extremely challenging regulations to build a successful vertical medical cannabis business with a production facility and three retail locations on Hawaiʻi Island. He hopes someday to expand to Oʻahu and other neighboring islands should state legislation allow. Big Island Grown has been featured in Forbes and High Times magazines for the company’s cuttingedge sustainability practices in the cannabis industry. In addition, Dylan also runs several other local businesses, including Vibe Café, a vegetarian restaurant, and Vibe Farms, a USDA-certified organic farm in Hilo. Raised on the Hāmakua Coast of Hawaiʻi Island, Dylan currently lives with his wife, Avani, and their three daughters, 6-month-old Uma, 3-year-old Samaya, and 5-year-old Bodhi.

for a senior dog rescue. We are enjoying the empty-nester life traveling all over the world!”

“Having had the pleasure to attend HPA from 1983-86,” Oli Heuchenne ’86 writes, “together with my wife Anna, we thought it would be an amazing opportunity to have our daughter Linnea ’24, attend HPA for a year. We are vicariously living through her experience in Hawai‘i since last August, smiling when we see what she’s living and how she’s evolving as a young lady. We are proud of what she's achieved and how well she’s doing in school, but also the connections / friendships she’s made over the last 7 months. We look forward

to picking her up in May (after not being in Hawai‘i since 1995) and reconnecting with my classmates and teachers. She’s loving it at HPA and we are forever grateful she could attend.”

Alison (Sissy) Kerr-White ’88 says she is “still living in Flat Florida with my husband and almost 13 year old daughter, and our 2 dogs. I am a clinical nurse liaison doing remote patient monitoring on people across the country that suffer from COPD, Asthma, Pulmonary Fibrosis, or any other lung disease that can affect a person’s breathing. Technology has taken patient care to the next level and I’m so thrilled to be part of it. The best part is, I get to work

We want to hear from you! Please submit your notes and photos to www.hpa.edu/giving/update by September 5, 2023 for the next issue of Ma Ke Kula

from home, which makes it much more convenient for me to travel to Hawai‘i for longer periods of time.”

90s:

Heidi Eldridge ’93 recently moved with her family to the Washington, DC area and is living in Silver Spring, MD. “After almost 12 years working as a forensic scientist followed by seven years as a forensic science researcher, I completed my PhD in Forensic Science at the University of Lausanne and got a job as an Assistant Professor of Forensic Science and Director of Graduate Studies for Crime Scene at George Washington University. I’m having a great time teaching the next generation of forensic scientists while working on my research in latent prints and human factors. I’m loving living in the DC area with my husband, 10-year-old daughter, two dogs, and a cat.”

00s:

Richard (Conno) Pierce ’03 is currently in Bremerton/Seattle WA helping to revamp and relaunch an AFC (American Culinary Federation) certified restaurant, only one of two in WA state. Prior to this, he worked in the Midwest as Culinary Director for Madison Restaurant Group, Tournant/Chef/ Culinary Director for Hitchcock Restaurant Group in Seattle, and Corporate Executive Chef for Triple J Enterprises/Restaurants in Saipan.

Chelsea (Morriss) Croy ’05 shares: “In conjunction with my Waimea Yoga studio I am thrilled to announce that I have recently

opened up my own Vasper business. Vasper, invented by Class of 2002 alum Sebastian Wasowski’s father Peter, is a 21 minute low impact workout that combines compression, cooling and interval training that mimics the physiology of an intensive workout. Through my non profit Yoga Impact, veterans and first responders can do sessions for free.”

Kassia Dombroski ’08 is very excited about wrapping on her 10th film project since joining the I.A.T.S.E Local 479 Union. Since September she has been working on the final film of Francis Ford Coppola, which “has been a challenging but interesting ride.” She looks forward to taking a break to spend time with her husband, dog Wren, and new puppy, Pepper, and tend her carrot garden.

Russ Aguilar ’09 is now directing education, workforce development, and community engagement at Literacy for Environmental Justice in San Francisco!

10s:

Jackson Solomon ’15 graduated from UH Mānoa in 2020 and worked at Purple Maiʻa Foundation as a product designer for a little over two years, where he helped develop the Ka Maka ʻĪnana: Place-Based Design-Thinking program, in addition to the Digital Creators digital marketing and design program, and supported Purple Maiʻa cohort companies such as Ka Mahina Project. “Recently,” he writes, “I transitioned roles, and I am now the Director of Content and Marketing at Unrulr, a Native-Hawaiian-founded

edtech startup based in Honolulu. I work alongside Aaron Schorn, who is the Head of Growth and Community. I’m living in San Diego, supporting my partner through medical school and raising my mini Aussie puppy, Kona. In my free time, I surf and snowboard.”

Aidan Brown ’18 writes: “I’m finally in grad school, but these last two eruptions have been so spectacular that I've been coming back multiple times just to photograph them. Lava to deep snow in only a few months.”

Johnny Yoon ’18 graduated from UC San Diego with a degree in Economics, and says he really enjoyed his time there. “Started to realize how valuable my experience at HPA was and appreciate the environment it provided. Currently working at Bank of America as an Investment Banking Analyst focusing on advising technology companies with their mergers and acquisitions efforts.”

Kamuela Lindsey ’19 wrote to share his aloha with fellow classmates! “Just sending out my Aloha to all and wishing all good health.”

Mako Yamamoto ’19 recently participated in a developmental reading of a new show called Night Side Songs with the American Music Theatre Project at Northwestern University. “This project is commissioned by the American Repertory Theatre, and I was a part of a group of student actors who worked closely with composers Patrick and Daniel Lazour and music director Madeline Benson to help them develop the show.”

Class notes are edited for length and clarity, including adding diacritical markings and other minor adjustments, in accordance with HPA’s style guidelines.

FOREVER KA MAKANI: REUNION 2023

Spirits were high as alumni returned to the campus that HPA is so fortunate to call home. Classes ending in 3 and 8 walked La‘e La‘e again — or got back in the saddle — explored Isaacs Art Center, introduced the water slide to the next generation, and so much more! Mahalo and a hui hou to all who attended.

A. J essica Benioni-Rios ’13 with Katie, spouse of Mikey Vitousek ’03.

B. Choo Choo & Dennis Boyer ’63.

C. M adi Bartlett ’13 with mother Najha Ray ’88.

D. P hil Conley with Hannah Conley ’08.

E. Tom Aitken ’68 with Robert Budway ’76 & Corey McCullough ’76.

F. K aky Hanano Purdy ’81 with her granddaughters, Loea & Lenny.

H. P atrick Ellbogen ’78 & Douglas Mannen ’78.

I. Billy Burkey ’03 and spouse, Kirstie.

J. D avid Gomes ’69.

K. Tom Aitken ’68 and his child. Amy Loughridge Shimaoka ’83, H elen-Bailey Ledesma ’83, Pualani Lincoln Maielua ’01, Chelsey Dickson, C arly Hayashikawa Akau ’03 with her spouse and child.

G. Robert Budway ’76 & Hans L’Orange ’73.

Thank you for another brilliant year —and for the year ahead.

With your support, every year at HPA is filled with extraordinary opportunities that would not be possible through tuition alone. Your gift to the HPA Fund helps create chemistry explosions (the good kind!) and Energy Lab revelations; GPAC curtain calls and friendships in residence halls; May Day memories and Ka Makani moxie; and the list goes on.

Our students dream bigger and travel farther because of YOU. Mahalo for your support and generosity, this year and every year.

To give online, visit www.hpa.edu/give

Aidan Brown ’18 writes: “I’m finally in grad school, but these last two eruptions have been so spectacular that I’ve been coming back multiple times just to photograph them. Lava to deep snow in only a few months.”

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

<first>

<company>

<address>

<address2>

<city>, <state> <zip>

INSIDE:

CHECK OUT 3D CAMPUS TOURS BY WILLIAM SCHULHOLF ’23

AVIAN KU ’09 EXPLORES FASHION BRAND AND REALITY TV

AISLINN CARROLL ’18 LAUNCHES FROM ROTC TO SERVICE IN DC

DO