The step we share in this letter is not an isolated decision. It is part of a broader, intentional effort to clarify Ke Ali‘i Pauahi’s enduring relationships with her haumāna, her lāhui, and her ‘āina and to bring Ke Kula ‘o Kamehameha’s practices into closer alignment with the truth of her aloha for her people.

Ke Ali‘i Pauahi’s Kauoha

In her final kauoha, Ke Ali‘i Pauahi expressed her chiefly vision clearly: the restoration and future strength of her people and her nation through education. She did not act as a benefactress offering services in exchange for payment. She acted as an ali‘i, exercising kuleana to create the conditions necessary for the well-being, continuity, and capacity of her people.

That chiefly intent lives today through an enduring ali‘i–lāhui–‘āina relationship:

• Haumāna, through the gift of a Ke Kula ‘o Kamehameha education
• Lāhui, through the preparation of ‘Ōiwi leaders who serve their people and communities
• ‘Āina, through the stewardship and regeneration of ‘Āina Pauahi for future generations

Over the past decades, Ke Kula ‘o Kamehameha has intentionally evolved to emphasize this relationship. Guided by E Ola! and Strategic Plan 2030 (SP2030), a Kamehameha Schools education is experienced not only in classrooms, but also across ‘āina and in kaiāulu, shaped by Hawaiian culture-based education, stewardship, and deep partnerships with lāhui-serving organizations.

Together, these form an ecosystem of learning that prepares haumāna not only to succeed, but also to contribute with purpose to care for ‘ohana, kaiāulu, Hawai‘i, and the wider world. In this way, ‘āina serves as both classroom and compass for kuleana.

A Gift of Education

For many decades, Ke Ali‘i Pauahi’s endowment has borne nearly the full cost of educating our haumāna. Where tuition was charged, it represented only a small fraction of the true cost of education.

With a deeper understanding of Ke Ali‘i Pauahi’s intent, E Ola!, and ali‘i–lāhui relationships, it has become clear that tuition no longer reflects either the reality or the values of a Kamehameha Schools education. Tuition suggests a transactional exchange. Yet, responsibility at Kamehameha has never flowed from payment. It flows from aloha, ancestral connection, and preparation.

For this reason, pending Probate Court approval and beginning with the 2026–27 school year, Kamehameha preschools and K–12 campuses will no longer require tuition. The full cost of education for every haumāna will be borne by Ke Ali‘i Pauahi’s endowment.

This is not a change in Ke Ali‘i Pauahi’s generosity. Her trust has always carried the primary responsibility to provide the resources needed for a Kamehameha Schools education. This is a clarification of this special relationship.

A Kahua of Kuleana

Through E Ola!, education at Ke Kula ‘o Kamehameha creates a kahua of kuleana—a strong and enduring foundation upon which haumāna build their lives. Students form this kahua through learning grounded in ‘ike kupuna and aloha ‘āina; through building relationships of care and accountability; and through daily experiences that cultivate skill, character, and purpose.

From this kahua, haumāna are prepared to be “good and industrious men and women” not for their own individual advancement alone, but for the well-being of others and the strengthening of our lāhui. We hold high expectations of ourselves and our graduates.

For staff, this work is lived daily through teaching, planning, stewardship, and care-giving. For ‘ohana, it is lived alongside keiki by nurturing, guiding, modeling, and loving. Together, this is how we deliver a Kamehameha education that Ke Ali‘i Pauahi desired. This is her gift to our lāhui.

Ke Ali‘i Pauahi — Our Model for Gifting and Giving

Kuleana is not a legal obligation. It is a cultural honor and responsibility; it is the foundation of our ea. Each person and ‘ohana chooses whether, when, and how, to carry this kuleana.

With this understanding, all families who receive Ke Ali‘i Pauahi’s gift of education are invited — never required — to share forward her makana in ways that feel pono and meaningful, including:

• Modeling and teaching others about kuleana, and how we mālama the keiki who are right in front of us, as well as the future generations of our lāhui who are yet to be born.
• Voluntary giving through the Kaiāulu Fund, supporting scholarships for non-Kamehameha haumāna and grants for SP2030-aligned community organizations.
• Sharing time, skills, and experience through service. The forthcoming Nā Pua a Pauahi volunteer hub will help to connect you with the many available opportunities to give through service.

For Our Community Partners: Continuity and Shared Direction

We want to be clear and reassure our valued partners: this transition will not reduce Kamehameha’s commitment to the lāhui beyond our K-12 campuses and preschools.

• Ke Kula ‘o Kamehameha’s overall investment in community grants and scholarships—approximately $67 million annually—will be sustained.
• We are reimagining, not reducing, grants and scholarships to better reflect regional contexts, community priorities, partner leadership, and SP2030-aligned, ea-advancing outcomes.
• For fiscal year 2025–26, we will make approximately $6 million in emergency bridge funding for education and learners available to help partners navigate funding disruptions.
• We also plan to provide supports for community-driven ea education, strategy, and engagement.

As part of this transition, all tuition collected during the 2025–26 school year will be transferred to the Kaiāulu Fund, strengthening scholarships and community grants from the outset.

I Mua Kākou!

Ke Kula ‘o Kamehameha has always been more than a set of campuses. It is a commitment across generations to a thriving, cohesive, self-determined lāhui. That commitment is carried by mākua, haumāna, staff, alumni, community partners, and all who walk alongside Ke Ali‘i Pauahi’s legacy.

Mahalo nui loa for all you do to carry Ke Ali‘i Pauahi’s gifts forward—each in your own way, and together as a lāhui, extending her legacy in perpetuity. We remain dedicated to supporting and fulfilling her vision with you.

Ola Pauahi!

Me ke aloha pumehana,

Board of Trustees
Crystal Rose, Chair
Noelani Goodyear-Ka‘ōpua, Vice Chair
Michelle Ka‘uhane, Secretary and Treasurer
Elliot Kawaiho‘olana Mills, Board Member

Chief Executive Officer
Jack Wong