The main building was designed by Chicago architect, David Adler and was modeled after an Italian villa in Florence, Italy of the same name.

Referred to by early writers as "Leahi" (the Hawaiian name for Diamond Head) heiau, it was quadrangular, about 80 ft (24 m) across with ocean facing terraces leading into the structure and several altars located near the back wall.

During the epidemic Kamehameha, upon the advice of his priests, instituted a ten-day kapu (restriction) and sacrificed three humans and many hogs and edible plants.

"[2] During the Mahele (when formal land titles were used for the first time) this site was given by the Kingdom of Hawaii to the future King Lunalilo.

Because La Pietra has limited space for athletics, Kapiʻolani Park is used for physical education classes and training for soccer and cross country running teams.

Joseph Pynchon was founding headmaster at La Pietra from its inception in 1964 until his retirement at the end of the 1990-1991 school year.

Born in Boston, he served in Italy and India with the American Field Service in World War II.

Nancy White, La Pietra's third Head of School, retired in June 2007 after twelve years.

Nancy White was replaced by Mahina Eleneki Hugo, La Pietra's middle school dean.

She earned a bachelor's degree in sociology and a master's in education in private school leadership from the University of Hawaii.

Prior to joining La Pietra, Dr. Watson served as the Assistant Principal for Student Life at Mid-Pacific Institute in Honolulu.