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Greetings and Gratitude

In Hawaii, we are gifted with a word that carries a weight and warmth far exceeding its literal translation: ‘ohana. To many, it simply means “family,” but at Maui Preparatory Academy, it is the very gravity that holds our school community together.
 It is a promise, a protective shield, and a shared commitment that no one is left behind, or forgotten.
 
As we look out across our campus perched between the green ridges of the West Maui mountains and the Pacific Ocean’s vast blue expanse, we are reminded of the diverse threads that weave our unique tapestry. Our ‘ohana is not defined by bloodlines, but by the shared experiences of growth, resilience, and discovery that happen here every single day.
 
We see ‘ohana in the laughter that echoes across our Lower School playgrounds, in the collaborative huddles of our Middle School students as they tackle new academic horizons, and in the quiet leadership of our Upper School students who mentor the younger generations as they pursue their futures. We feel it in the tireless support of our parents, the dedication of our faculty, and the unmatched spirit of our community partners who lift us at every turn.
 
At Maui Prep, ‘ohana is an active verb.
 
It is the way we rally together during times of challenge, finding strength in our collective embrace. It is the way we celebrate our victories, whether in athletic competitions, in the performing arts, or in the classroom. We teach our students that to be part of an ‘ohana is to carry a responsibility to one another: to listen with empathy, to lead with courage, and to live with a generous heart. As you turn the pages of this issue of Wingspan, you will see the vibrant stories of our school in action. You will read about the incredible achievements of our students and the deep-rooted connections that make this place so much more than just a school. Maui Preparatory Academy is a home, and every individual who steps onto our campus becomes an integral part of our story.
 
Thank you for being an indispensable thread in our fabric. Thank you for your trust, your passion, and your unwavering commitment to our collective home. Together, as one ‘ohana, we continue to soar to new heights.
 
 Dr. Miguel Solis
Head of School

I have been a part of the Maui Prep ‘ohana for 21 years, first as a faculty wife, then as a parent, all the while stepping in wherever the school needed - admissions, advancement, teaching - and for the past three years as the Director of Advancement, a very challenging, but rewarding position. 
 
While the school has certainly had its share of ups and downs, one core thing has never wavered: the importance of ‘ohana. 
 
And just like a family, there have been arguments and disagreements, and hurts that seem to cut a little deeper because we are such a close community.
 
But also just like a family, there is so much to celebrate, from the 30 graduates who overcame so many obstacles in the aftermath of the fires, to the incredible success of every student performer in the first-ever K-5 Lower School production, to the growth of our student-athletes, and everything in between. And one of the greatest rewards is watching our ‘Ohana return to the nest with a well-deserved college degree, an anticipated new job, a new marriage or as brand new parents. 
 
Thank you to each of you who has supported our ‘Ohana, perhaps even despite our differing viewpoints, because every penny raised supports and celebrates your family, and we truly wouldn’t have it any other way. 
 
Stephanie Kirkham
Director of Advancement
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Maui Preparatory Academy is a preschool through 12th grade private school located in West Maui. 
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