He says he is eager to see how he can make a difference in an already successful program. Special Programs expands the school's summer program into a year round operation, offering training, conferences, workshops, and sport camps to outside groups. A significant and stable source of additional revenue for many years, the summer program under the direction of Phil Conley made use of HPA's otherwise empty boarding, educational, and sports facilities. Users have included local, mainland, and foreign schools with programs that range from marine biology to Hawaiiana to ESL instruction to band and sport camps. Some groups have been returning every summer for more than 20 years.
Funds generated go directly to the school's operating fund, which helps to keep tuition down.
In addition, staffing needs during the summer months are filled as much as possible by HPA personnel. This not only helps current employees but also serves to maintain the quality expected of an HPA program. The school thus had the facilities to expand its services. If the 1998 summer is any indication, great things lie ahead. Plans for the future include adult art workshops throughout the year, a NIKE Triathlon training camp prior to the Ironman Triathlon in October, new course options for the HPA Summer Session, and elderhostel courses.