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KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS TO FIGHT FOR ADMISSION POLICY

 

 

 

 

 

 

Associated Press - September 16, 2025

After water polo practice at her school atop a hill overlooking Honolulu Harbor, Kapua Ong marvels at the sunset.

“I do feel proud of myself for getting in because not everyone gets accepted,” said Kapua, 14, a freshman at Kamehameha Schools, a competitive private school with affordable tuition that gives preference to Native Hawaiians. “I’m just, like, grateful for being able to have those opportunities.”

Kapua was just a baby when her parents set the stage for her acceptance at the school by adding details of her Native Hawaiian ancestry to a genealogy database. As an incoming seventh grader, she also took an admissions test and highlighted her kung fu skills and fluency in Hawaiian language.

Kamehameha Schools gives admissions preference to the Indigenous people of Hawaii, with a caveat: “to the extent permitted by law.”

A campaign is underway to test the policy’s legality and stop Kamehameha from favoring Hawaiians, part of a movement to expand the legal definition of racial discrimination in education. Conservative activists have been emboldened by a Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action in college admissions and by the Trump administration’s war against diversity, equity and inclusion. Now, they’re targeting scholarships, academic programs and admissions policies tied directly or indirectly to race.

Students for Fair Admissions, led by Edward Blum, a leading opponent of affirmative action, set up a website this month vowing to challenge Kamehameha’s admissions policy in court. “It is essentially impossible for a non-Native Hawaiian student to be admitted to Kamehameha,” the site says.

Alumni, parents and local leaders are urging the private school system with an endowment valued at more than $15 billion — larger than most universities — to fight to defend the policy.

“I’m hoping they hire a good lawyer, build a good case,” said Andria Tupola, a 1998 graduate and a member of the Honolulu City Council. She says the school helped her build a stronger connection to Hawaiian culture.

Attending Kamehameha can also be life-changing. The Native Hawaiian community struggles with higher rates of poverty and incarceration, so Hawaiian children may have educational disadvantages. Admission to Kamehameha offers a chance for quality private school education — with boundless opportunities, first-class facilities and Hawaiian cultural values.

Along with a breathtaking ocean view, the sprawling Honolulu campus boasts top amenities — an Olympic-sized pool, buffet lunches, athlete laundry service and grounds adorned with native plants. An annual, elaborate Hawaiian song contest between high school classes is broadcast on local TV.

A Hawaiian princess’s will

Kamehameha Schools was founded by the will of Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the great-granddaughter of King Kamehameha I. When she died in 1884, her will directed the establishment of schools that give preference to Native Hawaiians. The endowment also supports scholarships to other private schools, plus community activities.

Last year, more than 5,400 students enrolled across three Kamehameha campuses on Oahu, Maui and the Big Island.

Each year, the number of applications exceeds the number of spaces by as much as 17 to 1, depending on the campus and grade, the Kamehameha website says.

There’s an understanding among Hawaii residents that only students with Hawaiian blood will be admitted. Many see the policy as a way to remedy disparities stemming from U.S. colonization and the 1893 overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom by a group of American businessmen.

Sterling Wong, a Kamehameha spokesperson, declined to say how many non-Hawaiian students have been admitted.

Kalani Rosell was the first non-Hawaiian to graduate from Kamehameha Schools Maui in 2007. His acceptance drew sharp criticism from Hawaiians. The school said he had been selected after a list of qualified Hawaiian students had been exhausted.

More than 15,000 people protested after a 2005 ruling by a panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals struck down the policy of restricting admission to Hawaiians, ruling it violated federal civil rights law. Kamehameha sought a rehearing.

The following year, the court upheld the policy. Kamehameha later settled with the family of the white student who brought the case when he was denied admission.

“We anticipated that our nearly 140-year-old admissions policy, providing preference to Native Hawaiian children, would again be challenged,” Kamehameha trustees said in a statement. “We are confident that our policy aligns with established law.”

‘Heavy hitter’ takes on the Hawaiian schools

When Kekoa Kealoha, who graduated in 2003, heard about the campaign against the school, he was shocked to hear it was led by “somebody who was, like, a real heavy hitter.”

Students for Fair Admissions sued Harvard and the University of North Carolina in cases that led to the landmark 2023 Supreme Court decision barring colleges from considering race in admissions decisions.

Blum, a former stockbroker, has since expanded his opposition to racial preferences throughout education, fueled by President Donald Trump’s fight against DEI.

Reached by The Associated Press, Blum said he was traveling and asked for written questions. Then, he didn’t respond.

Blum’s group probably will argue the Kamehameha policy is unlikely to survive the strongest form of constitutional review because it has an absolute race-based requirement for admissions, said John Tehranian, a professor at Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles.

Kamehameha could counter that its policy is not race-based, but a classification based on political status, drawing on cases that allow government programs for Native Americans, he said.

Blum’s group is going after anything related to race and “seeing what sticks,” said Natasha Warikoo, a professor at Tufts University, who wrote a book about affirmative action.

Though the Supreme Court decision focused on university admissions, conservatives have increasingly targeted K-12 schools, along with admissions factors they consider “proxies” for race, including family income and neighborhood.

For instance, in July, the conservative Pacific Legal Foundation filed a lawsuit challenging an admissions policy at Boston Public Schools’ elite exam schools that gives students additional points if they’re from lower-income areas.
Hawaiian Republican calls campaign ‘racist’

When Blum launched his campaign against Kamehameha, people started calling Brenton Awa, a Hawaiian Republican state senator.

Awa didn’t get into Kamehameha and graduated from a public school, but he called Blum anyway. When Blum didn’t call back, Awa and another Republican flew to the East Coast to find him.

“If anybody had a chance at discussion, it would be us,” Awa said.

The Arlington, Virginia, address on the website led the duo to just a mailbox. They went to an office for Blum’s attorneys but had no luck. So they met with Republicans in Washington to educate them about Kamehameha’s mission.

“Anybody going after Kamehameha Schools with this kind of initiative and intention, to us that’s racist,” Awa said.
Moving to Hawaii for ‘life-changing’ school

Kona Purdy and his family moved back to Hawaii in 2021, partly because his daughter was accepted to Kamehameha. The family had moved to Las Vegas, joining many Hawaiians who could no longer afford to live in the islands.

They were forced to move back to Vegas in 2023 when they lost their housing. “We had considered leaving her ... so that she could stay in the school,” Purdy said. “It was life-changing.”

Kamehameha only charged the family about $100 in tuition.

The family returned to Hawaii in June. Purdy’s daughter is now a seventh grader at a public school.

She will apply to Kamehameha next year, hoping to rejoin for high school.

“Hopefully, the admissions policy is still in place so she has the best shot,” Purdy said.

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KE AUPUNI UPDATE - SEPTEMBER 2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joining the Pacific

I just spent a week in Honiara, Solomon Islands for the 54th Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Meeting. The PIF is an intergovernmental organization with its headquarters in Suva, Fiji. It addresses issues, concerns, practices and policies that impact the overall welfare of the peoples and nations of the Pacific.

Over its 54 years, membership in the Forum has grown to include 18 Pacific nations. Sadly, Hawaii is not among them. This is because of the false narrtive that "Hawaii-is-a-state-of-the-US". Of course, we're working to correct that myth.

In 2013, at the invitation of H.E. Tony deBrum, the late, great Foreign Minister of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, I started attending the annual PIFLM to "show face" on behalf of the Hawaiian Kingdom, to share our story and track with the important issues and challenges facing our Pacific family.

Over the years, though in the margins of the PIF, I've become somewhat of a fixture at the meetings. In fact, with the regular turn-over of political leaders through elections, parliamentary procedures and even a coup, I think I’ve attended PIF Leaders Meetings longer than any Pacific Island President, Prime Minister or Foreign Minister.

Beginning in the 19th Century, the Kingdom of the Hawaiian Islands was formally recognized by the major powers of the World as a sovereign, independent state, and enjoyed bi-lateral and multi-lateral equal treaties with many fellow-sovereign States.

This recognition of Hawaii’s sovereignty occurred while all the other Pacific Islands nations were being subjected and exploited under colonial rule by various European powers.

Today, however, the situation is flipped. Most of the Pacific nations are free, but Hawaii is captive — hidden under the guise of the US “State of Hawaii”. Ironically, the United Nations’ decolonization process that helped all the other Pacific nations to become independent states, was hijacked by the U.S. to immerse Hawaii into the United States.

While we are making significant strides toward correcting the wrongs and decoupling Hawaii from that erroneous UN-enabled merger, one of the most egregious results of the 127-year-long U.S. illegal occupation has been the political and relational separation of Hawaii from the rest of our Pacific Islands family.

The alienation from our Pacific family prevents Hawaii from participating in matters concerning our ocean community. Instead of Hawaii’s voice, all that is being heard in the Pacific is the U.S. projecting its own interests, policies and agenda dictated from over 5,000 miles away from our shores.

As we draw closer to the restoration of the Hawaiian Kingdom as a sovereign, independent nation, we are seeking to re-connect and rejoin the rest of our family at the Pacific Islands Forum so our voices can be joined together with them.

As a nation of people with roots in the Pacific Way and with significant experience as an economic, geo-political and cultural hub, we believe the restored Hawaiian Kingdom can offer much in facing our critical mutual challenges and in creating a better future for the Pacific and the Planet.

Aloha ʻĀina —
“Love of country is deep-seated in the breast of every Hawaiian, whatever his station.” — Queen Liliʻuokalani

Ua mau ke ea o ka ʻāina i ka pono.
The sovereignty of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.
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For the latest news and developments about our progress at the United Nations in both New York and Geneva, tune in to Free Hawaii News at 7 PM, the first Friday of each month on ʻŌlelo Television, Channel 53.

-----
"Remember, for the latest updates and information about the Hawaiian Kingdom, check out the twice-a-month Ke Aupuni Updates published online on Facebook and other social media."

PLEASE KŌKUA…
Your kōkua, large or small, is vital to this effort...
To contribute, go to:

• GoFundMe – CAMPAIGN TO FREE HAWAII

• PayPal – log in to PayPal and pay to the account, info@HawaiianKingdom.net

• Other – To contribute in other ways (airline miles, travel vouchers, volunteer service, etc...) email us at: info@HawaiianKingdom.net  

Malama Pono,
Leon Siu
Hawaiian National

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WHAT IS CHIEF OF WAR TEACHING THE WORLD?

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IS HAWAI`I READY TO BE FREE?

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"IS KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS RACIST?"
 

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"Planting Twenty Trees - A Visit With Camilo Mora"

Weʻve often wondered what global warming and rising sea levels mean for islands like Hawai`i in the middle of the Pacific. So we met up recently with University Of Hawai`i professor and climate change expert Dr. Camilo Mora and what he told us came as quite a surprise. He showed us in very real terms how Hawai`i will be impacted by rising sea levels, but also shared a very simple way for each of us to do our part in helping to solve it. Join us in our fascinating visit with Camilo as he explains how Hawai`i can lead the way in saving the worldʻs environment - Watch It Here

Now you can become a fan of Voices Of Truth on Facebook by clicking Here and see behind the scenes photos of our shows and a whole lot more.  

Voices Of Truth interviews those creating a better future for Hawai`i to discover what made them go from armchair observers to active participants. We hope you'll be inspired to do the same.
 
Voices Of Truth airs throughout Hawai`i on all islands and reaches over 24 million households across the US and throughout the world. Check your local cable TV listings.

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And for news from a kanaka point of view, watch Free Hawaii News.

All a part of the Free Hawai`i Broadcasting Network.

Please share our Free Hawai`i Broadcasting Network videos with friends and colleagues. That's how we grow. Mahalo.

LANDBACK

 

SEPTEMBER FREE HAWAII NEWS - IS CHIEF OF WAR A BREAKTHROUGH FOR HAWAIIANS? 

Will Chief Of War Get Others To See Hawaii As An Independent Country? Plus How The UN Was Fooled Into Thinking Hawaii Is The 50th US State, Then Progress On Homes For Lahaina, Also How A Visitor Industry Would Be Very Different In A Hawaiian Kingdom And Kumu Hinaʻs Mana`o Explains Why Chief Of War Was Filmed In `Olelo Hawai`i.

The September 2025 “Free Hawaii News” debuting tonight, Friday, September 5th airs at 7 PM on `Olelo Television Channel 53 on O`ahu, on all neighbor islands and also at FreeHawaiiNews.com

“Jason Momoaʻs Chief Of War series airing on Apple TV is definitely a game changer. Itʻs already getting viewers everywhere to understand what kanaka maoli or Hawaiians went through during a time of vast change and upheaval. It showcases to the world that thereʻs an independent country called the Hawaiian Kingdom. We talk with Hawaiian educator and cultural specialist Kalehua Krug on the most important aspects of Chief Of War,” states Free Hawaii News co-host Leon Siu.

Also on the September Free Hawaii News co-host Leon Siu explains in his United Nations Update how the UN was fooled into thinking Hawaii is the fiftieth US state. “We have been educating UN members of Hawaiiʻs real history and how the claim that Hawaii became the fiftieth US state in 1959 was a sleight of hand. Itʻs been a real eye-opener for many and theyʻre now asking us how they can help correct this wrong,” reports Leon.

In her Kumu Hinaʻs Mana`o segment Free Hawaii News co-host Hinaleimoana Wong explains why Chief Of War was filmed in `Olelo Hawaii, then we go to Maui for an update on progress in rehousing Lahainaʻs residents & also how a tourist industry would be very different in a Hawaiian Kingdom.

Free Hawaii News presents Hawaiian or kanaka maoli perspectives on a broad range of issues and topics affecting the Hawaiian Islands, the Pacific and the world.

Brought to you by the Koani Foundation, Free Hawaii News airs every month on `Ōlelo Television on O`ahu, on all neighbor islands and on stations around the world as well as online on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Substack, Pinterest, X, BlueSky and over thirty different Facebook pages and other online sites.

Hinaleimoana Wong is a kumu hula, filmmaker, cultural activist, Hawaiian language speaker, preservationist and community leader. She has served in the past as a member of the O`ahu Island Burial Council.

Leon Siu has for many years served as Foreign Minister of the Hawaiian Kingdom. He is active in that role at the United Nations in both New York City and Geneva, Switzerland. Besides being a diplomat, he is also an award-winning musician, composer and political analyst.

TOMORROW ON THE SEPTEMBER FREE HAWAII NEWS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IS CHIEF OF WAR THE BREAKTHROUGH HAWAIIANS HAVE BEEN HOPING FOR?

TOMORROW ON THE JUNE FREE HAWAII NEWS - FreeHawaiiNews.com

Is “Chief Of War” The Breakthrough Hawaiians Have Been Hoping For?

Will It Get Others To See That Hawaii Is Actually An Independent Country?

Plus How Was The UN Fooled Into Thinking Hawaii Is The 50th US State?

And Kumu Hinaʻs Mana`o Explains Why “Chief Of War”  Was Filmed In `Olelo Hawai`i Instead Of English.

Join Hosts Hinaleimoana Wong & Leon Siu As They Give The Kanaka Perspective On Issues In Hawaii You Wonʻt Get Anywhere Else.

7 PM ON `OLELO TELEVISION -CABLE CHANNEL 53 ON O`AHU - FreeHawaiiNews.com

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SOLVING HAWAI`IʻS CLIMATE CRISIS ON “VOICES OF TRUTH - ONE-ON-ONE WITH HAWAI`IʻS FUTURE"

"Planting Twenty Trees - A Visit With Camilo Mora"

Weʻve often wondered what global warming and rising sea levels mean for islands like Hawai`i in the middle of the Pacific. So we met up recently with University Of Hawai`i professor and climate change expert Dr. Camilo Mora and what he told us came as quite a surprise. He showed us in very real terms how Hawai`i will be impacted by rising sea levels, but also shared a very simple way for each of us to do our part in helping to solve it. Join us in our fascinating visit with Camilo as he explains how Hawai`i can lead the way in saving the worldʻs environment - Watch It Here

Now you can become a fan of Voices Of Truth on Facebook by clicking Here and see behind the scenes photos of our shows and a whole lot more.  

Voices Of Truth interviews those creating a better future for Hawai`i to discover what made them go from armchair observers to active participants. We hope you'll be inspired to do the same.
 
Voices Of Truth airs throughout Hawai`i on all islands and reaches over 24 million households across the US and throughout the world. Check your local cable TV listings.

For news and issues that affect you, watch Free Hawai`i TV. 

And for news from a kanaka point of view, watch Free Hawaii News.

All a part of the Free Hawai`i Broadcasting Network.

Please share our Free Hawai`i Broadcasting Network videos with friends and colleagues. That's how we grow. Mahalo.