Podcast Description: Energy Lab at HPA

How does innovation come to life at Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy? In this episode, HPA’s admission team takes listeners inside the Energy Lab, a state-of-the-art facility where sustainability, science, engineering, and real-world problem solving intersect.

Director of Admission Tiare Police, along with Janet Kalaniopio and Tayler Wang, sit down with Dr. Bill Wiecking, Director of the Energy Lab, and Greg McKenna, Head of Sustainability, to explore how the Energy Lab building itself reflects HPA’s commitment to environmental stewardship and hands-on learning. From global collaborations to student-driven research, the conversation highlights how learners are empowered to tackle meaningful challenges.

Current students share powerful testimonials—from AI capstone research and drone technology to fire detection sensors, independent science research, and mentoring younger students—demonstrating the depth, access, and opportunity available at HPA. The episode also addresses how students balance rigorous academics with athletics and other commitments.

Hosts

• Tiare Police, Director of Admission
• Janet Kalaniopio, Senior Associate Director of Admission
• Tayler Wang, Assistant Director of Admission

Panelists

• Dr. Bill Wiecking, Director of the Energy Lab
• Greg McKenna, Head of Sustainability
• Kelan, HPA Student
• Philipp, HPA Student

Episode Chapters

• 0:00 – Introductions
• 3:30 – The Energy Lab building, sustainability & collaborations
• 9:10 – Working with students & project introductions
• 11:30 – Student testimonial: Kelan — AI Capstone Project
• 23:30 – Student testimonial: Philipp — Drones, fire sensors & cross-grade collaboration
• 35:00 – Student testimonial: Independent science research
• 38:00 – Q&A
• 46:30 – Balancing studies & athletics