04/06/2024
You know I love my daughters school. She's been there since Kindergarten. Every week our Head of School and all the Principals write an email with news & photos. This weeks letter from Fred is one of the finest pieces of work I have ever read. It swelled my heart and got my head straight...enjoy...
Message from the Head of School
Aloha HPA ʻohana,
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt’s “Man in the Arena” speech from 1910 is alive and well this month at HPA. I shared this classic excerpt with our juniors and seniors this week in their class meetings as there is so much opportunity in these last weeks of school to open hearts, push past boundaries, or just bring situations to closure. Roosevelt’s words are relevant to all of our learners — in fact, our entire community — kinder to kūpuna.
Here at school, this time of year provides the “arena” for us all to test ourselves, show our skills, and strive for excellence. We see it all over the place — in our Capstone presentations, our senior speeches, the state science fair, or ACT tests. All reminders that it is not the instant success or mastery that represents greatness in an individual performance, but the falling, the failures, and the willingness to jump back in and try again. It is the repair and the redoing that elevates the victory and accomplishment.
The “arena” is obvious with the bright lights of musical performances, May Day celebrations, and athletic competitions. But even more frequently, and with less fanfare, the “arena” takes shape in quiet spaces and circumstances — like mending a broken friendship, pushing through on a difficult conversation, or pulling together a group that has been disjointed. These moments that live in the cracks are what fortify our foundations and elevate our humanity and culture. It is the success and triumph found in intimate spaces that create the most vital connections in our community. These are the bonds of character and the fibers of integrity. The fearless acts of friendship, fellowship, and selflessness.
On Thursday evening, our Voices for Belonging and Community Conversations series screened the documentary Waterman, about Hawaiʻi legend Duke Kahanamoku. Duke epitomizes Roosevelt’s vision of selflessness and courage without regard for fanfare. He continues to inspire us more than 130 years after his birth. Speaking of film, six of our 8th-grade students, led by Mellon Monello, will attend the Hawaiʻi International Film Festival (HIFF) ʻŌpio Fest this weekend with their selected films! They have found their “arena.”
This weekend is action-packed around Hawaiʻi Island with the Merrie Monarch Festival, athletic competitions, and the Lavaman triathlon – many of us will be in the “arena” striving valiantly. In each, there is an element of practice and discipline. There is humility and respect for our culture, our traditions, the landscapes, and this place. Teams, hālau, and the individual drive to do one’s best in creating unity in a unique goal.
However we see it, these are opportunities not to stand by or to watch — but to take the risk, to dare greatly, with the knowledge and understanding that failure or discomfort is more than likely. A reminder that these stumbles and trials are vital to our progress and journey. The willingness to take part, to jump in without a guarantee of greatness, makes for an interesting and fulfilling life. Our students are doing it, in each division, on every inch of our campuses. And it is awesome to witness.
I am moved by this call to the “arena” and the grit and the heart that we find there in our students. They are great — in all of their forms, foundations, and tactics. The dust on their faces and their eyes full of hope and earnestness as they look to the horizon. It is an honor to work with them and to bear witness to their trials and their victories. Mahalo for the opportunity and for sitting next to me, cheering them on from the stands!
With wonder, fullness, and aloha always,
Fred Wawner
Head of School
