Letter from Dee Jay Mailer to KS ‘Ohana

October 22, 2004

Contributed by Thomas Yoshida

The Board of Trustees and I have taken a firm stand to let our community know that we intend to continue defending Kamehameha's preference policy for as long as it takes to correct the social and educational imbalances our people face. We need your continued support to help make this happen.

In considering the magnitude of this hearing for our school, we asked ourselves the question, "How would Pauahi have approached this day?" The answer that seems most reflective of what we know about our Princess was that she would have turned to Ke Akua for guidance and strength. Fittingly, Kamehameha Schools will host a special Prayer Service that morning so that we, too, might walk her path of faith.

Prayer Service Schedule:
Date: Thursday, November 4, 2004
Time: 7:00 to 8:00 AM
Place: Kawaiaha'o Church at King and Punchbowl Streets
Dress: Blue and White

Notes:

• All alumni and parents are encouraged to attend, as well as family members and friends. The general public is welcome.



 
• Shuttles will still run beginning at 5:30 a.m. from free park and ride sites at Central Union Church, Neal Blaisdell Center and the Ala Moana Center Coral level near Macy's on the Diamond Head side. The buses will return to the pick-up points immediately following the prayer service
   
• The hearing starts at 9:00. Doe v. Kamehameha is now the FIRST case to be argued that morning.
   
• As they are finalized, we will post more details on the Admissions Lawsuit webpage at www.ksbe.edu.
   

Kamehameha Schools' campus communities on Maui and Hawai'i will also be observing November 4 with special services. Maui Campus will be hosting a prayer service at 'Iao Valley State Park from 7:00 to 8:00 A.M., with bus transportation from the War Memorial Gymnasium. Hawai'i Campus will hold their service in Koai'a Gymnasium on the Kea'au campus beginning at 8:00 A.M. All services are open to the community.

Also, in advance of the hearing date, a special "Legacy Day" is planned for Bernice Pauahi Bishop Memorial Chapel and Heritage Center from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 31, with a special church service to begin at 3:00 p.m. This will be a wonderful opportunity, so close to our hearing date, for the Kamehameha 'Ohana to gather and reflect on the legacy of our Princess on the anniversary of the signing of her will. Our campuses on Maui and Hawaii will hold similar observances on the 31st, and the public will be invited.

In addition, a number of United Church of Christ churches across the state will be hosting prayer services either on Sunday, October 31 or on Nov. 4 to coincide with the hearing. Check with your local UCC church for details. Alumni on the continent have also indicated an interest in organizing similar services. Check with your region leaders for information. Again, as we get more information about all of these events, we will post it at our website.

We are eager to address the Appeals Court and urge the affirmation of Federal Judge Alan Kay's ruling from last November – that our policy is legally justified and should remain in place. The same excellent legal team that defended our policy before Judge Kay will present our arguments before the appeals panel. Our team is well prepared and ready for this debate.

It is you, the Kamehameha Schools 'ohana, who gives us the strength and courage to defend our policy. And it is your good work every day in your lives and your communities that inspires us to move forward with the work our Princess asked of us. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, our faculty, students and staff, please join us for Legacy Day on October 31 and at our special prayer services on November 4 - a most important day in the history of Kamehameha Schools.

Mahalo for your continued support.

Dee Jay Mailer
Chief Executive Officer