Doe v. Kamehameha Schools Appeal Filed

April 19, 2004

Contributed by Thomas Yoshida

We will continue to vigorously defend our policy of giving admissions preference to children of Hawaiian ancestry, and we intend to file our response to the plaintiff's opening briefs by May 17th, following the schedule provided by the court. These filings begin a process that will take at least several months. In the meantime, Kamehameha Schools will continue to follow the preference policy established by the first Board of Trustees 116 years ago. The policy is essential to fulfilling our mission, which is to improve the capability and well-being of Hawaiians through education.

We have already prevailed in U.S. District Court in Hawai'i. Last November, Federal Judge Alan Kay ruled that Kamehameha Schools' preference policy involves "exceptionally unique circumstances." This policy reflects the will and intent of a princess of the Hawaiian Kingdom before Hawai'i became part of the United States and exists to correct, through education, imbalances suffered by the indigenous people of Hawai'i. In his ruling, Judge Kay also noted that our mission parallels a need for remediation that has been recognized by the Congress of the United States.

We would like to thank our Kamehameha Schools 'ohana and the many people throughout Hawai'i who support us so steadfastly as we defend our admissions policy. As they are available, we will post a copy of the plaintiff's opening brief and our response on our website at www.ksbe.edu, and we will continue to provide updates as the appeals process moves forward.

As we take this necessary journey to defend our right to fulfill Pauahi's wishes, let us reflect upon the attributes of this great woman that have endured through the years. Let us remember her pride and confidence, her wisdom, compassion, strength and courage. These are the same attributes we see in the achievements of our children; in the work we do at Kamehameha Schools and in our communities. These are the attributes of Pauahi's people, and through them we will prevail.