WOW - CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL CHANGES ITS NAME - CAN MCKINLEY HIGH BE FAR BEHIND?
Hawai`i Public Radio - September 17, 2021
Hawaiʻi's Board of Education has approved changing Central Middle School's name to honor the Hawaiian princess who once owned the downtown Honolulu property. The change is effective immediately.
At a meeting Thursday, the board approved naming the campus Princess Ruth Keʻelikōlani Middle School.
School and community leaders have been trying since 2019 to rename the school.
The princess' home, Keōua Hale, once stood on the grounds of the current campus and when she died in 1883, her property was bequeathed to Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, according to documents supporting the name change.
"Ruth was the wealthiest person in the Kingdom when
she passed away," said Holly Gates, the school library media specialist.
"One of the stipulations of her will was to promote education."
