Hundreds gathered at ʻIolani Palace to stand in unity for Ke Kula ʻo Kamehameha and the will of Ke Aliʻi Bernice Pauahi Bishop in a powerful ʻaha that included students, alumni and supporters from across Hawaiʻi pae ʻāina.

Held after the filing of a federal lawsuit challenging Kamehameha Schools’ admissions policy, the ‘Aha Koa served as both a reaffirmation of Pauahi’s will and a public expression of unity. Opening with oli and pule, the event continued with heartfelt remarks from Kamehameha Schools Trustee Crystal Rose KSK’75, student leaders, and community allies — all speaking to the strength of Ke Aliʻi Pauahi’s vision and its lasting impact on her people.

“Our mission to uplift Native Hawaiians through education remains as vital today as when Pauahi wrote her will,” Rose said. “This is what we do when things we value are threatened: we show up…We are warriors. We fight. We win.”  

As an attorney who helped defend KS’ admissions policy two decades ago, Rose urged the crowd to remain courageous, grounded and guided by kapu aloha.

“Grounded in aloha ‘āina and ʻike kūpuna, kapu aloha is both a mindset and a practice,” Rose said. “It is what our ancestors, kūpuna and Pauahi would expect of us…We are Kamehameha. We are a class act.”

Kūhiō Lewis, president and CEO of Hawaiian Council, reminded participants that Pauahi’s legacy extends far beyond the campuses and confirmed the institution’s mission to uplift ‘Ōiwi leaders.

“We rise not to defend just the school or a policy, but a promise of hope, opportunity and a future in our own homeland,” Lewis said. “Pauahi understood something profound: when Hawaiians are given the right opportunities, we can lead — not just Hawaiians, but Hawaiʻi.”

Ke Kula ʻo Kamehameha Kapālama senior Avapui Ulufale echoed that pride and purpose.

“We are Kamehameha. We are Pauahi. We are each an individual part of the great lei she continues to serve,” Ulufale said. “That legacy will continue far beyond us.”

As chants of “I mua Kamehameha!” filled the palace grounds, the event closed in hula and mele — imprints of Pauahi’s legacy carried in the hearts of those present and beyond.

“To be able to come out here and have our ʻōpio… with the kūpuna and leaders, and show that not only through their voice, but through their actions and presence, that Hawaiʻi’s soul is so critical,” said former trustee Corbett Kamoa Kalama. “This is where the restoration happens.”

Watch the livestream here. To learn more about Pauahi’s legacy and Kamehameha Schools’ mission to uplift Native Hawaiians through education, visit https://www.ksbe.edu/ola-pauahi.

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