Hawaiʻi Technology Academy Kona campus opens 2026-27 applications; lottery April 8

Hawaiʻi Technology Academy, the state’s largest K–12 public charter school, opened admissions for its Kona K–12 campus on Feb. 23, 2026, and will allocate seats through a computerized lottery scheduled for April 8, 2026, with late admissions accepted until July 2026. The Kona campus is listed on HTA’s official site as “Open for admissions for SY 2026-27” and is identified as serving grades K–12.

HTA describes its approach as a tuition-free blended learning model that mixes on-campus instruction and virtual classes. The school week is structured as “a strategic mix of on-campus and virtual classes” that gives students flexibility, and Maui Now summarizes the philosophy succinctly: “At HTA, students learn by doing.” HTA’s Career-Based Learning program allows students to earn credit through internships, experiential programs, jobs or independent projects; Maui Now highlights Kīhei high schooler Ryder Perez, who gained work skills at Maui Ku‘ia Estate Chocolate as part of that program.

The Kona campus page on HTA’s site names Makala Paakaula as campus director and lists her contact e-mail as mpaakaula@myhta.org. The Kona page also features local student highlights: Kona sixth grader Mie F earning a spot on a junior golf stage, HTA Kona’s Jahfari Silsley noted as a “world champion one-wheeler,” and 8th graders such as Phoenix R participating in a digital photography elective. The site includes campus-level sections and enrollment resources labeled FAQs, School profile, ED Talk Story, School safety plan, and Admissions & Enrollment items including How to apply, Required documents, Campus information videos, Admissions & Lottery policy and Enrollment policies.

Families across the island can weigh HTA Kona against the school’s statewide network. HiMyHTA lists HTA campuses at Līhu‘e (Kaua‘i), ‘Ewa Beach (O‘ahu), Waipahu (O‘ahu), Lāhainā (Maui), Kīhei (Maui), Kona (Hawai‘i Island), plus a Distance Learning program and Virtual Summer School. IntelligentHQ and Maui Now both note HTA operates two campuses on Maui: a K–8 campus in Lāhainā and a K–12 campus in Kīhei.

For direct inquiries, HTA’s general contact information on the school site lists phone 808-676-5444 and info@myhta.org, with headquarters at 94-450 Mokuola Street, Suite 200, Waipahu, HI 96797 and fax 808-676-5470. The HTA site also states the organization is WASC-accredited.

Applications opened Feb. 23, 2026; the computerized lottery to allocate open seats is set for April 8, 2026; and late admissions for any remaining seats will continue through July 2026. Families seeking enrollment can consult the Kona campus Admissions & Enrollment pages for required documents and the Admissions & Lottery policy or contact Makala Paakaula at the Kona campus e-mail and HTA headquarters for further details.