March 2, 2007
Contributed by CEO Message
We have not been able to review the petition in detail yet and so cannot comment on its specifics. We can say, though, that we have been expecting John Doe's attorneys to appeal their loss at the 9th Circuit Court – which is their second loss in the federal system – and we are preparing our petition in opposition to having this matter considered by the U.S. Supreme Court.
We have a strong case to oppose a petition for certiorari before the U.S. Supreme Court. This case does not raise issues of national importance. There is simply no other school in the country like Kamehameha: founded by a Princess in her sovereign homeland, who bequeathed her private wealth to provide an educational remedy for the ongoing socioeconomic disadvantages suffered by her native people. This lawsuit involves a federal statute, enacted by Congress, and the same Congress has recognized and supported our mission. There is no other situation in the United States for which the court's current ruling in this case establishes a precedent, and we believe that the U.S. Supreme Court will consider this as these petitions are reviewed.
Our preference policy is critical to our ability to fulfill our mission, and we will be responding to the plaintiff's petition within 30 days of it being received by the court. Mahalo for your continuing prayers, care and support in this matter. As always, you bolster our strength and stand as a strong symbol of our commitment to continue to serve our people in the way our founder wished.
I mua Kamehameha!
Dee Jay Mailer
Kamehameha Schools’ policy is to give preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law.
