Residential Life

Upper campusThe HPA campus is located outside of Waimea (Kamuela), Hawai‘i, a small town located in the heart of the world-famous Parker Ranch. The spirit of aloha with a Western flair provides a welcoming and safe location for students to live. Round the clock campus security supplement the residential staff living on every floor. In addition, the campus has a fulltime Health Center with nurses on call 24/7.

For many students, the boarding program at Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy is central to the HPA experience. The ability to live with students from Hawai‘i and all around the world gives each student the chance to be a part of a community of motivated students and dedicated teachers. The connections made between students develop into life-long friendships and foster a genuine feeling of ‘ohana (family).

Boarding student studying in his roomThe residential life program provides a safe and healthy environment with high standards for social conduct and personal integrity. Students are expected to strive toward an honorable, respectful, and responsible life as they are supported, and learn from, their community.

The Program

StudyingThe Hawai’i Preparatory Academy residential life program supports social and emotional growth focused on mutual respect and meeting obligations and responsibilities through the following components:

  • Close mentoring relationships with faculty and staff.
  • Well-structured and active schedules.
  • IMG_7800Opportunities to participate in a rich variety of evening and weekend activities.
  • A focus on peer friendships and camaraderie.
  • Quality supervision and coordination of health care.
  • Comfortable dorms that provide a range of amenities including functional student rooms, laundry facilities, computers, and television lounge.
  • A dining facility that provides a variety of excellent and nutritious foods.
  • Support and encouragement of student-parent communication and understanding.
  • An environment that encourages students to meet personal responsibilities and community obligations.
  • Development of ethnic awareness and cultural identity.


Academic Assistance

Extra help from teachers is available upon the student’s request. The boarding and day faculty have duties in the dorm on a weekly basis. They represent various academic departments, which allows boarders to have easy access to help. In cases where more academic support is needed, tutoring can be arranged through the school office.