Kamehameha Schools Admission Policy Challenge sparks action from community | Latest Lifestyle News
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Tensions continue to rise following the Students for Fair Admissions Group challenge of Kamehameha Schools’ Admission Policy.
Virginia-based group calls Kamehameha Schools’ admission policy ‘neither fair nor legal’
The group is advocating for the end of the admissions policy that primarily accepts students of Native Hawaiian heritage. On the group’s recently launched website, they state: “We believe that focus on ancestry, rather than merit or need, is neither fair nor legal, and we are committed to ending Kamehameha’s unlawful admissions policies in court.”
On Friday, Sept. 12, many gathered in support of Kamehameha Schools, sign-waving at the Hawai’i State Capitol.
Kamehameha Schools Graduates
Many were at Friday’s sign-waving, and a few spoke to KHON, who happened to be graduates from Kamehameha Schools.
“The first reaction was anger, and the thought of… here we go again,” said Kau’i Keola, when asked about her initial reaction to the challenge. “We went through this years ago, and part of the reason what I understand that Kamehameha doesn’t receive federal money, and so the United States doesn’t have any control or hold over them, we’re a private entity. And here we go again because someone wants to claim what is not rightfully there’s.”
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“You know… they called the admissions policy unfair, and I think that shows a lack of understanding and a lack of knowledge for the history, of our history, for our islands here,” said Jacob Aki. “If you really knew our history, you would understand that the illegal overthrow of our kingdom, that was unfair. The attempts to erase our identity and our language, that was unfair. What is fair and what is justice is what our princess did to give everything she had to create schools to educate her people.”
Senator Kurt Fevella
Senator Kurt Fevella, who’s office organized Friday’s rally, also shared his thoughts.
“If you take away Kamehameha schools for only Native Hawaiian kids, it’ll be just like any other school, any other private school,” said Senator Fevella. “Not taking away from any other private school, but the legacy of the Queen’s will, the Queen’s trust, is what made this special.”
“You don’t see anywhere in the country that we dishonor anybody’s legacy. Only in Hawai’i,” said Senator Fevella passionately. “We have military contaminating our land. Only in Hawai’i it happens. So you can’t do it in any other country. See if you could do it in Japan, see if you could go over there and I say we’re going to take away someone’s trust.”
Kamehameha Schools
The following is a statement provided to KHON on Friday’s rally.
“Today’s rally at the Hawai’i State Capitol reflected the strength and unity of our community. We are deeply grateful to the organizers and to everyone who stands with us in support of Ke Ali’i Pauahi’s will and what we in Hawai’i know is pono.”
Students for Fair Admissions
Full website to the Students for Fair Admissions challenge to the policy.
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KHON reached out to the group for comment, and did not hear back.
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