It was a bittersweet graduation day marked by new beginnings but also the end of the line at Hualalai Academy.
Four students walked in cap and gown to receive their diplomas — a class of 2014 that was the school’s seventh and final. The private academy of approximately 110 students is set to close this year.
“I am deeply saddened by the closure of Hualalai Academy,” faculty member Eric Southon said. “Hualalai will live on through the accomplishments of our graduates, past and present.”
The school announced in January it would close, with faculty pay cuts and letters to parents asking for contributions to allow doors to stay open through this month. The school’s efforts to get loans and refinance were stymied by a lack of cash flow to defray a total $2 million in debt. Enrollment in 2013 had dropped by more than half from the 235 students who were present in 2007.
About 100 people — more than just the ohana of the four graduates — packed seats in the Bridge Building for the emotional farewell that also contained hopeful notes.
”You know, it’s really sad, but Makua Lani will populate the campus and everything will be fine,” administrative assistant Robyn Ackerman said.
In an interview, Head of School John Colson said the academy is set to sign papers for the sale of the premises to Makua Lani Christian Academy, which is slated to take over the campus June 1. Many of the students from Hualalai are set to transfer to Makua Lani.
Colson read a poem titled “The Bridge Builder,” touching on themes of sacrifice made for those who follow.
“You are the bridge builders,” he told the audience. “You have paved the way for our graduates.”
The small graduating class allowed teachers to show in their remarks that they knew each of the students very well, talking about their favorite snacks, quirks and first love.
“Blake is not a punchline any more,” teacher Adrienne White joked about graduate Blake Landers. “He is gainfully employed with a bright future.”
Each student spoke at the graduation, taking turns ribbing each other.
“Spending 12 days on the streets of Europe smelling Mason’s BO was a really great way to get to know a guy,” Thomas Awamura said to laughter.
Landers said Hualalai was characterized by teachers and parents going the extra mile, noting that his own parents drove two hours a day to get him to school.
“No other school has the ability to bring together freshmen and seniors like this school did,” Landers said. “There isn’t anyone who is left out of this school.”
Mason Hulen, who will study engineering at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and join the Hawaii National Guard, said he’d experienced an environment where students knew their teachers and their life stories.
The academy was founded in 1996 but began in 1985 as a satellite of Hawaii Preparatory Academy.
