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E Ulu Koa, E Ola Ke Ea

Sept. 10, 2025

Aloha nui e ka ʻohana Kamehameha,

We are profoundly moved by the swell of support rising from every part of our pae ʻāina and beyond as we face the beginnings of what could be a serious challenge to the will of Ke Aliʻi Pauahi. Though no lawsuit has been filed, we are vigilantly preparing for that possibility and are assured by our lāhui’s widespread support. Your voices — courageous, steadfast, and united — affirm the strength and unwavering will of our lāhui to protect what Ke Aliʻi Pauahi entrusted to us.

At the center of this moment stands Ke Aliʻi Pauahi’s enduring legacy. In 1883, she issued her chiefly kauoha, her charge dedicating her resources to educate and uplift Native Hawaiians. Just as families today establish trusts to care for their descendants, Ke Aliʻi Pauahi created a perpetual trust enabling her to continue fulfilling her kuleana of caring for her people.

That trust, and the rights of its beneficiaries, carry a unique political and legal standing, rooted in the Hawaiian Kingdom and affirmed in U.S. and international law. Today, Ke Ali‘i Pauahi’s vision lives on not only through our three campuses and 30 preschools, but far beyond. Her legacy supports ʻāina stewardship, watershed protection, sustainable food systems, renewable energy initiatives, and community programs and events that strengthen the very fabric of Hawaiʻi.

Each of us who steps forward in this moment of challenge adds to our collective strength — like koa trees in a thriving grove, standing tall together in defense of Ke Ali‘i Pauahi’s charge and the rights of her beneficiaries, our keiki and ʻōpio. Grounded in our faith in Ke Akua and united as guardians of this legacy, we can nurture the growth of future generations while standing ready as warriors to defend the future she envisioned with intellect sharpened and resolve unshaken.

Join in by visiting www.ksbe.edu/ola-pauahi to sign our petition, register for updates, and help share Ke Ali‘i Pauahi’s story. Every voice, every signature, every story strengthens this movement. For Ke Ali‘i Pauahi, for our keiki, for our ʻāina, let us stand together — e ulu koa, e ola ke ea! Ola Pauahi!

I mua Kamehameha,

Board of Trustees
Crystal Rose, Chair
Noelani Goodyear-Kaʻōpua, Vice Chair
Michelle Kaʻuhane, Secretary/Treasurer
Elliot Mills

Chief Executive Officer
Jack Wong


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i mua kamehameha, kamehameha schools, ola pauahi, ola hawaiʻi

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Kaipuolono Article, Regions, Kaua’i and Ni’ihau, Wai’anae Coast, ‘Ewa, Waialua, Kona, O’ahu, Ko’olau, Maui, Moloka’i and Lana’i, West Hawai’i, East Hawai’i, Themes, Leadership, KS Organization, Breaking News, Hawaii Newsroom, Hālau Kupukupu, KS Hawaii Home, Hawaii Athletics, Hawaii Elementary School, Hawaii Middle School, Hawaii High School, Outreach, Parents, Community service/volunteer opportunities, I Mua Kamehameha, Kapalama Newsroom, Kapalama High School, Kapalama Middle School, Kapalama Elementary School, Kapalama Athletics, Kapalama Home, KS Announcements, Maui Newsroom, KS Maui Home, Maui Athletics, Maui Elementary School, Maui Middle School, Maui High School, Maui Summer School, Outreach, Parents, Community service/volunteer opportunities, Newsroom, Campus Programs, Hawaii, Kapalama, Maui, Preschools, Alumni, Midwest Region, East Coast Region, South Central Region, Southern California Region, Northern California Region, Intermountain Region, Oregon Region, Pacific Northwest Region, North Hawaiʻi Region, West Hawai’i Region, East Hawai’i Region, Moloka‘i Region, Kaua‘i Region, Hawai’i, Kapalama, Maui, Oahu, Hawaii campus, Kapalama campus, Maui campus, Preschools

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Kawaiaha‘o Plaza

567 South King St.
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 523-6200

KS Hawai‘i

16-716 Volcano Rd.
Kea‘au, HI 96749
(808) 982-0000

KS Kapālama

1887 Makuakāne St.
Honolulu, HI 96817
(808) 842-8211

KS Maui

275 ‘A‘apueo Pkwy
Pukalani, HI 96768
(808) 572-3100

Kamehameha Schools’ policy is to give preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law.

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