Hawaii's Schools
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Faith fuels academics Rooted in Christian belief and principle, Hawaii Baptist Academy lives up to its heritage. Emphasizing a Christian lifestyle that prepares its students for life after graduation, HBA stresses academic excellence through a college preparatory curriculum. It is this combination of spiritual awareness and academic excellence that many students enjoy.
and sports at HBA
96 percent of grads move on
to attend 4-year universitiesCommunity unites to help HBA overcome struggles
ABOUT THIS PAGE
YOU ASKEDBy Erin Masuda and Stephen Stinton
Hawaii Baptist Academy"Some schools in Hawaii were started as Christian schools, but they've abandoned their roots to an extent," said senior Michael Hom, student body president. "HBA has developed an excellent academic program and has still stuck to its beliefs since its beginning over 50 years ago."
Nine Advanced Placement programs in four core subjects are available, from calculus to European history. Students also are enriched culturally with a choice of four foreign languages.
There is a full range of science courses, backed by a fully equipped laboratory. The technology center houses an 11,000-volume library with online databases, reference catalogs and a state-of-the-art computer lab.
Keeping with its emphasis on spiritual awareness, students must take at least one semester-length Bible course every year. Students can choose from classes on Christian relationships, ethics, cults, world religions, parables and basic Christian leadership.
HBA succeeds in its goal of academic excellence. Traditionally, 100 percent of graduating seniors pursue higher education, with 96 percent attending four-year colleges.
The small campus population encourages students to get to know one another well.
"I like how I can get to know other students better," said senior Mike Jones, "seeing as how it might not be as feasible in a larger school."
HBA offers a variety of sports and extracurricular activities, boasting impressive records in many of them. The boys bowling team captured the state championship in 1996 and has contended at that level ever since, winning ILH championships in 2000 and 2001. The girls team also is strong, winning the ILH team title this year.
The golf program is also a contender at the ILH and state levels, having won multiple individual ILH and state championships over the past five years. Basketball, volleyball and tennis teams remain strong competitors at the Division II level, having won their share of D-II titles.
With an English curriculum that stresses excellence in writing, students place high every year in statewide writing competitions. The school is highly competitive in Mock Trial, reaching the state finals two of the past three years.
School-sponsored events reinforce HBA's close community. Once a year, students in grades 7-12 attend a class camp that features programs and activities relevant to each age group.
"Our camp helped me meet a lot of my classmates this year," said freshman Mark Stinton. "Being a new student, camp helped me get to know people better."
Students are actively encouraged to grow in their spiritual walks and intellectual pursuits. Chapel, led by a student praise band, is held every Wednesday.
Students also give back to the community and grow in their faith through service projects and ministries. As part of the school's 50th-anniversary celebration, students completed 50 community service projects.
"The atmosphere at HBA encourages me to live a life more pleasing to God," said junior Ashley Sutherland. "It provides teachers and friends who will support me in my beliefs and decisions."
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Hawaii Baptist Academy made the final payment on its elementary campus in February, a milestone that affirmed the unique relationship between HBA and people who believe in the school's mission. Community unites to help
HBA overcome strugglesBy Lesa Bowman and Laura Quek
Hawaii Baptist AcademyThe school was founded in 1948 by Southern Baptist missionaries. Funded by the Southern Baptist foreign mission program, the school flourished during the 1950s but faced financial difficulties after statehood and the loss of foreign-mission funds.
By the early 1970s the school buildings, then in Makiki, were overrun with termites and too small for the expanding student body. With the school having to vacate the buildings, no money in reserve and no financial institution willing to take a chance on the small school, the Hawaii Baptist Convention announced plans to close it. But one group of people was determined to keep the school open.
"These people were true visionaries," said Diane Home, a teacher for 31 years and former high school principal. "They didn't give up on us. Through all the moves and long waits for adequate facilities, there was a corps of parents, students and teachers who were absolutely loyal to the school and its vision."
Among them was parent and retired Army Col. Stanley Sagert, who would become president of the struggling school.
In an effort to raise funds to keep the school open, Sagert traveled to the mainland, sharing HBA's story with churches and individuals and gaining the support of 12 mainland churches. Around the same time, an announcement for a Nuuanu estate appeared in the newspaper.
In an act of faith, Sagert persuaded the HBA board to bid for the estate. HBA acquired the 13.6-acre estate that eventually became the high school campus.
In February 1977, 55 people formed the school's Mainland Advisory Council. Thirty-four of these members met in Hawaii to develop their vision for HBA. The group has since grown to include 277 families in 25 states.
MAC member Robert Spottswood, a retired petroleum engineer from Plano, Texas, and his wife, both church deacons, first heard about HBA when former HBA President Dan Kong visited their church. The Spottswoods have served on the MAC since 1996 and deeply value their council experiences.
"We have been thrilled to be part of the school, and look forward to each meeting," Robert Spottswood said. "The meetings with HBA students are always the highlights of our trip."
Mary Lou Causby and her husband, Harold, learned about the school from HBA's first elementary principal, Laura Cornwell. Like the Spottswoods, the Causbys share a love for HBA.
"The experiences have been well worth our time, money and love," the Causbys said. "We have seen missions in action and received far more than we have ever given. It has been our privilege to have a small part in sharing Christ's love."
Since their first meeting in 1977, MAC members have provided financial support and encouraged local donors. With their help the gymnasium was built with no debt.
The school acquired the Sacred Hearts Convent School for the elementary campus in 1987. Because the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts were committed to keeping an elementary school on the campus, they turned down larger offers for the site and allowed HBA to purchase it on a 15-year, interest-free note.
The elementary campus is about half a mile from the intermediate and high school campus and covers nearly seven acres of land.
HBA has met with many struggles, but never one it hasn't been able to overcome. Parents, teachers and supporters have seen HBA through rough times and smooth.
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ABOUT THIS PAGE
Each week, Hawaii's teenage reporters and photographers tell us about their high school. This week's school is Hawaii Baptist Academy.
Newspaper: Eagle Eye
Editor: Stephen Stinton
Faculty adviser: Elaine Hill
HBA facts
Addresses:
>> Stan Sagert Campus (grades 7-12): 2429 Pali Hwy., Honolulu, HI 96817
Phone: 595-6301
>> Elementary Campus (grades K-6): 21 Bates St., Honolulu, HI 96817
Phone: 595-6301 (high school), 524-5477 (elementary school)
Web site: www.hbaeagles.org
President: Richard Bento
High school principal: Marsha Hirae
Elementary principal: Rebecca Ovitt
Students (K-12): 1,026
Faculty and staff: 161
Mascot: The Eagle
Colors: Black, gold and whiteBACK TO TOP
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Matthew Munekata YOU ASKED
What mark would you like to leave on the world?Compiled by Stella Ko and Aaron Omiya
Sophomore
"I want to have invented something that will make a positive change."Leah Freitas
Sophomore
"The world should know that I stood up for what I believed in and led a successful life."Shawna Kawamoto
Senior
"I want people to remember that I have lived my life being me and not somebody I'm not."Kimberly Ho
Senior
"I want to be remembered as the person who threw the starfish back into the ocean."Keith Miller
Senior
"I want to have made a positive difference in at least one person's life."Ricky Tsukamoto
Freshman
"I want to be remembered as an individual and not someone who followed the crowd."Tammy Burgett
Freshman
"I want to be remembered as someone who cared about others and was really nice to all the people I met."Graham Enomoto
Junior
"I was a friendly guy and had a smile that made people happy."Troy Takano
Junior
"I said whatever was on my mind but did so in a tactful manner."Jennifer Bruce
Junior
"I want to be remembered as a happy person who cared for the animals."
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