![]() In June, our graduating seniors bade farewell to our high school campus, and our sixth graders said goodbye to our elementary campus. It is produced by the Communications Department for: Office of Institutional Advancement 420 Wyllie Street Honolulu, HI President s Message Dear HBA Ohana: During these last few months, we have experienced a season of goodbyes. Soaring Eagle is a publication for alumni, parents, friends and supporters of Hawaii Baptist Academy. Bento Executive Vice President Ronald Shiira 75 Principals Amy Vorderbruegge, Elementary School George Honzaki, Middle School Marsha (Ishida) Hirae 72, High School Claudia Henna, Digital School Mission Statement Hawaii Baptist Academy is a Christian college preparatory school that equips students spiritually, intellectually, physically, socially, and emotionally, so that they bring honor to God. ![]() Kent Davenport Hayden Hu Ernest Lum James Shiroma 88 Sharon (Williaford) Walsh 95 Ex-Officio Chris Martin, Executive Director, Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention John Endriss, President, Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention President Richard T. Hawaii Baptist Academy Board of Directors Ken Hensarling, Jr., Chair Walter Agena, Vice Chair Jean (Omiya) Nohara 61, Secretary Jensen Kono, Treasurer Dr. HBA is licensed by the Hawaii Council of Private Schools. HBA is a member of the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools, accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and the Association of Christian Schools International. ![]() Established in 1949 by missionaries of the Southern Baptist Convention, the school is affiliated with the Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention. There are now two cases of coronavirus in Hawaii, and while state authorities maintain that there is no known community spread of the virus, schools across the islands are still experiencing the indirect effects of this growing pandemic.2 Hawaii Baptist Academy Located in Nuuanu Valley on the island of Oahu, Hawaii Baptist Academy (HBA) is a Christ-centered, co-educational, college preparatory school for kindergarten through grade 12. Like many of them, in addition to instituting new health and safety policies concerning Covid-19, HBA has made the decision to cancel school-related travel to certain countries. On February 25, the school announced in a high school band parent meeting that the Symphonic Wind Ensemble spring break trip to Japan was to be canceled due to concerns over Covid-19. The band had been preparing for the trip since last spring and they would have represented the United States at the prestigious Hamamatsu Music Festival. The festival has since been canceled but at time of the February meeting, any plans for cancellation were not made known to the school.Ĭurrently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 2 Travel Health Notice for Japan, which recommends that older adults and those who suffer from chronic illnesses avoid traveling to the country. President Ron Shiira and high school principal Marsha Hirae shared with band students and their families in the meeting that the trip carried too much risk, from the potential exposure to the virus to the possibility of everyone being quarantined after the trip. Shiira told the group that he had planned to travel to the festival in place of the band, as a way to “pay his respects” to the festival organizers on behalf of the school. “I have great sympathy for the organizers,” he said, “knowing that our cancelation will place a heavy burden on the festival.” However, after consulting with other administrators and the school’s Board of Directors, Shiira decided against the trip and sent a formal letter of apology instead. While many students and their families felt disappointed that they had to miss this long-awaited performance opportunity, it was the potential loss of money paid toward the trip-for airfare, hotel accommodations, local transportation, and other travel expenses-that frustrated many people. ![]() During the meeting, representatives from Regal Travel, the travel agency that booked the trip, told families that they can only refund sixty percent of what was paid per traveler, which totaled $3,299. However, families were later notified by the agency via email on March 6 that they will actually receive a full refund for their airfare plus a travel gift certificate. Families were also informed at the meeting that the school hopes to use the proceeds from last November’s band fundraiser to make up for money lost. In preparation for the trip, band musicians had been putting in extra hours in rehearsals and sectionals after school and during holidays. #RON SHIIRA HAWAII BAPTIST ACADEMY FULL#įor some of them, the school’s decision was a hard one to accept.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |