| Camp 2026: Welcome to the Jungle
Dear readers of the What's New,
If we were to poll PBA alumni and ask them for their favorite high school experience, I'm pretty certain camp would take the cake. Camp doesn't go off without a hitch for every student every school year, there are extenuating circumstances for select individuals or classes. Over the course of 24 camps in 24 PBA years, I can think of more than one misadventure: homesickness, one rescheduled for a hurricane bearing down, leaky tents, and a few other experiences we will leave to the side for our gentle readers. But, thankfully for us, Camp 2026 was another one of the greats.
| We had our doubts, camping in tents in the mountains of North Shore with Oahu in the path of a projected tropical storm. In fact, I had the email drafted of how I would break it to students, parents, and staff – [...] "your PBA Dragon's safety is our highest priority, and it looks like Moke will cause difficulties." But with great luck, we were graced with beautiful weather for all three days, with only one short 4 a.m. downpour on the heels of the lunar eclipse on the second night, and, yes, a few leaky tents. | | | The good weather allowed for several notable camp traditions – hide and seek, bonfire and smores, advisory meal preps, and our annual Malama Project where students are tasked with restoring sections of the land that cared for us.
Now that you know some of our traditions, let me take you through some unique features of camp this year. Each year the seniors, along with the help of the camp advisor Ms. Viloria, are tasked with planning the three days and two nights of camp. It is an important element of senior leadership development. Every student and every teacher participates. | | | The theme this year was “Welcome to the Jungle,” an exciting one for our visiting RSG students who were able to join us from Japan, as the land we stayed on truly makes you feel like you’re a character in Jumanji. All activities were designed to match the theme, including the infamous (and sometimes controversal) trivia night. How tall is the world’s tallest tree? From what continent do orangutangs originate? Rainforests cover how many square miles of the earth? As you can imagine, the most important parts of camp are the in-between moments. It is there that the community builds, the PBA Sangha, throughout the entire camp process. Freshmen struggling to set up their tent for | | the first time are quickly met with the help of veteran seniors. Advisories work together to cook the meals for their classmates. And students get to see a more down to earth side of teachers such as a funny pajama set or Mr. Curry's bed head at the crack of dawn before coffee. One thing I know to be true is that we all return to PBA a closer and more cohesive community. Whether it’s making a new friend you were teamed up with for banana tag, learning a new skill like chopping up cabbage and onion for kalua pig, or cheering on a group of exchange students from Japan as they sing classic American karaoke songs in the middle of the night, everyone returns with an experience that stretched their boundaries and made them a | | better friend. Thank you, supporters, for helping to make experiences like this possible for our students. The stories and photos don’t do the week justice, but maybe we inspired you to go into the outdoors this week, try an activity you’ve been wanting to do but haven’t had the time to, or simply make a new friend. Stay safe out there everyone. | | Warmly,
Josh Hernandez Morse
Head of School | | Give Aloha This September! | |
This September, PBA is participating in Give Aloha, Foodland’s Annual Community Matching Gifts Program. By participating, we honor the legacy of Foodland founder Maurice J. “Sully” Sullivan, who believed in the power of generosity to build stronger communities, and we strengthen PBA’s mission to cultivate young leaders committed to peace.
Last year, PBA raised $5,713.06 through Give Aloha. This year, our goal is to reach $7,500. Every dollar raised directly supports PBA’s peace education programs, from courses in ethics and Buddhist studies, to service projects, to the integration of mindfulness and compassion across our curriculum. From September 1–30, visit any Foodland, Sack N Save, or Foodland Farms location statewide. At checkout, use your Maika‘i card and let the cashier know you’d like to make a donation to Pacific Buddhist Academy, code 78393. Donations can be made in any amount up to $249, are tax-deductible, and will be matched in part by Foodland’s community matching gift fund. Don’t forget to email your receipt to Megan Lee, Director of Advancement, at [email protected] for a tax receipt for your records! 
| | OFFICE HOURS
7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
NO SCHOOL: AUGUST 28, CAMP RECOVERY
SEPTEMBER 7, LABOR DAY
SEPTEMBER 11, TEACHER IN-SERVICE
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